You know Dasher and Dancer

Dear Megan,

Ella's class sang "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" at their Christmas show today. I have posted it here for your enjoyment.

They also recited a poem afterward, but a bunch of jackasses in the audience thought we'd rather hear them speak than our children, so that video is a no-go. Jackasses are the worst.

It was a great show, though.

And with that, I bid you adieu for the day.

love, molly

previous post title source: "Merry Christmas from the Family," Robert Earl Keen (rapidly becoming my new favorite secular Christmas song. [I am still partial to the Eagles {I know, right?} version of "Please Come Home for Christmas."])

We need some celery and a can of fake snow

Hey, Megs,

As promised, a picture of the Christmas tree:

Please note the Charlie Brown Christmas tree on the right, there.

And the kids, too. This cracks me up. Luke's facial expression was exactly the same in most his baby pictures when Ella was holding him. It's mostly confusion mixed with a little fear, the personification of "What the hell is going on here?"

Please also note the potted tree on the right there. This is our olive tree. It was a gift from my office after I birthed Luke, my second child. Such a thoughtful gift, no? I mean, you really have to think hard to make a good idea out of sending a living thing to a woman who (1) just had a baby, (2) has another child still in diapers, (3) has a husband who works nights. I said it then, and I'll say it again, "WTF?"

To make matters worse, I spoke to my boss soon after we received the tree delivery. "Hey, did you get a plant from the office?" she asked. "Yes, yes I did," came my reply. She proceeded to tell me what she and one of the deans had discussed getting me: food service for a week, someone to clean my house, etc. You know, things that would be useful to and much appreciated by the mother of a toddler and a newborn baby. Instead, I got a frakking tree.

We kept the tree going for a good while. But I fear that a recent cold snap damaged it beyond repair. So now it waits in the living room for Kevin to put it out of its misery.

The pot's nice, though. And our Christmas tree looks even more kick-ass in comparison.

I hope I'll be able to post between now and then, but if not . . .

Merry Christmas!

Love, molly

previous post title source: "Dear Doctor," The Rolling Stones

Oh help me, please doctor, I'm damaged

Hey, Megs,

I just saw this on Deadspin and I had to share it here:




I could barely stifle my laughter here at work. That's just funny stuff.

But not quite as funny as this.

I got a call from Evan this morning. After we exchanged "Hello"s, he told me to write the following: Lea-h.

"How would you pronounce that?" he asked. "Leah," I responded (as you do).

"Le-dash-uh," he said, "because the dash ain't quiet."

I guffawed (as you do), but this is an actual person. He met Lea-h yesterday at the Arts Center. She came into the shop to purchase a gift and when she wrote her name he asked, "Is that Leah? I've never seen it spelled that way." That's when she corrected the pronunciation, using the exact words as he did to correct mine. "The dash ain't quiet."

You just can't make that up.

I hope all's well!

love, molly

previous post title source: "Walk Like a Panther," The Pretenders

Try if you can to walk like a man

Hey, Megs,

I had to write to let you know that I found someone who is an actual, real-life fan of the Carolina Panthers! And you said such a thing does not exist . . .

Her name is Katy, and she is a friend of mine from graduate school. She is also a native of Charlotte, so that may explain her odd allegiance to such a nondescript team.

But even wackier than her love for all things blue and black? SHE LIKES RAY LEWIS!!! Yes, THE Ray Lewis. Murder charges aside, how can anyone really like this guy?

photo via the internets. sorry, i forgot the website, but it is available on Google image search.

Really? That guy?

My favorite part of the revelation was when she said that she really likes him when he's mic'd up. So does he.

So, I guess that's two birds with one stone. You didn't think that there were any Panthers fans and I didn't think that it was possible for someone to like Ray Lewis. Prove us wrong, Katy O'Brien! Prove us wrong!

I hope all is well in Colorado. Not much is afoot in Nashville. We got the Christmas tree up and decorated on Sunday. I'll send a picture once Kevin can figure out how to set the camera timer.

I love you!

--Molly

previous post title source: "The Humpty Dance," Digital Underground

I'll eat up all your crackers and your licorice

Megs!

I feel so very, very old today. This morning, I overheard one of my coworkers speaking to our student worker (Christina, who I swear has your exact smile) about a wedding that she will be attending this weekend. Christina said that she would be getting plenty of exercise on the dance floor, to which Hillery responded that she hoped they'd play "Play That Funky Music White Boy." She continued, "That's the best song to dance to at weddings."

"Nay!" said I. The best song to dance to at weddings, of course, is none other than "The Humpty Dance."

Christina's response? "What's that?"

ACK!!!!

I swear, it's seven hours later and I am still at a loss.

How can this be? She's 21! How is it that there are college kids who have not heard "The Humpty Dance?" That was a Brad, Rob, and Alex house staple!

I sent her a link to the YouTube video (note: there is no sound at the beginning of the video):



If only we had a video of Todd and/or Brett's versions.

This one's pretty funny, though:



And with that, I am off to get crazy whack funky.

Have a great weekend!

love, molly

previous post title source: "Thank You," Led Zeppelin