How's Your Holiday Going?

Mine has been pretty nice, even if we're a little disappointed about the lack of cold weather for snow making on the slopes. On the plus side: no sidewalks to shovel!

Also, my husband's Xmas present finally arrived (only a couple of days late)--a new induction burner for the kitchen. We don't have gas running to the house, so induction is the next best thing in terms of heat control. This might as well have been a present for me: Anything that encourages my husband--the best home cook I know--to cook more (easier now that he's finished with grad school) makes me feel pretty jolly.

How's it going for you this week? Appreciating the snow-free walks? Glad it's almost New Year's? Enjoying a little time off work? Counting your blessings?

The Six Sweetest Words

It's that time of year--the days are short, people are shopping, baking, getting together with friends--there's a sense of expectation in the air. So what better time than to say those six oh-so-sweet words to people everywhere:

"I'm Secretary of Defense Robert Gates."

(What? You thought I was going to say "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year"? No way, baby--that's not even close.)

Kind Cops on Patrol

My doctor's office is at MGH, so for today's checkup I had to exit Storrow Drive and get past the construction site that will one day be a handicap-accessible T stop for the hospital. (Admit it: it's kind of funny--in a sick way--that the T stop for Mass General is so totally, totally non-accessible. Yup, just watch those people in casts and wheelchairs navigate the twisting steps!)

Anyway, I tried to get over to the left lane to make the turn into the hospital. Didn't quite make it through on the green light at the multi-way corner that's practically underneath the construction zone. And unfortunately, I ended up stopped over a pedestrian crosswalk. So imagine my concern when a young traffic cop started walking over to my car. I rolled down my window, expecting a "why'd you stop in a walkway?" lecture. (People can be so grumpy this time of year!)

"Which way are you going?," Nice Young Traffic Cop asked.

"To the hospital--I didn't quite make it into the left lane," I said.

"No, no--you're okay. Stay here and just drive across the intersection when I give the signal."

"But I'm blocking a crosswalk," I said.

"Don't worry, people have plenty of places to walk--you're fine," said NYTC. "Just wait for my signal."

I thanked NYTC and waved. He smiled.

When I crossed the intersection, there was so much of a backup that I still didn't make it into the left lane for my turn. This time ANOTHER cop told me that two lanes were turning left at this time (I think that's only during the construction period--don't expect this to be permanent).

Given that I always feel a bit like I'm taking my life in my hands driving through this particular piece of roadway, it was nice to know that Boston's Finest were looking after me. And the MBTA is making the T stop handicap accessible. And I found a parking space at the hospital garage quickly.

In the spirit of the holiday--it's all good.

Boots on the Ground

Although there's been a distinct lack of the white stuff, it's still just cold enough to warrant wearing boots. Not being a shoe-holic (with big, wide feet, I can't afford to be), I have just three pairs, but they work for me--comfy leather boots that look good with skirts; warm, waterproof ankle boots with enough style to wear to work; and calf-high, black snowboots for all other situations demanding warmth and dryness.

What I really, really love about boots is the reverse corollary to what I love about you-can-wear-them-barefoot sandals: In the winter, no one can see your socks. So if I pull mismatched socks out of the drawer (a common occurence), I can pull on a pair of boots and no one knows. It's just my little secret.

Till now.

Wiieeee--yowww! (AKA My New Addiction)

I'm a good mom. When my husband and I decided to get a Nintendo Wii for our son, the ever-awesome Boy, I took a couple hours off of work, stood in line at the EBGames in Burlington Mall (indoors, and you can get a danish from Au Bon Pain), put down my deposit, and got a preorder.

And when the consoles came in a few weeks later, I dutifully went with Jim and The Boy to EBGames at MIDNIGHT ON A SATURDAY to be one of the first people in America to own one. Like I said, I'm a good mom, and the Wii seemed like a good thing all around, as far as gaming platforms go. And it really is. Even my mother loves it, and she's a veritable Luddite.

But with all the hype about the motion-sensitive controller, the reasonable price (as such things go--less than half the cost of a PS3 for god's sake), and the sort of Apple-like design, why do they never warn you about the really important thing?

That is: If you play Wii Sports for several hours over the weekend--especially the boxing, tennis, and bowling--your shoulder and arm will hurt. I have tennis elbow from a video game! And not from mashing buttons, but from really swinging my arm as though I'm playing tennis. This is not my father's Nintendo, but were he around, Dad would probably love whuppin' my butt at it. (He loved tennis.)

I can't WAIT to explain this to my doctor. "But, Doc, I can't help myself. I get to play as a Mii character that I customized to look vaguely like me (though I never wear that much eyeshadow) and it's so much fuuuuunnnn." And I still want to play, despite the achy shoulder.

But hey, if I do the boxing every day, I might even lose a few pounds. That's gotta be worth something, too. No pain, no loss. Wiieeeee!

It's When?

Good lord, it's December 1, and in the 60s. Global warming? Or just a fluke? Discuss.

(Yes, this is a short post, but I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. Thanks for noticing my absence.)