Why Have I Never Thought of This?

East of West posted a “Gift Presentation Strategies for Christmas Morning”. They are all really good ideas, but the truly life changing one for me, this year, is this little gem:

De-Package, Then Wrap - The frustrations associated with modern toy packaging are well documented, and should not be ignored when planning your Christmas morning show. Most toys can be stripped of packaging, put together, powered up, and wrapped up without a problem. Not only does this make the toy immediately playable, but it also gives you a head start on throwing away packaging and storing manuals.

This is the best idea, and I think I just might take credit for it in my real life. Everyone will think I’m fabulously clever, and shower me with Krispy Kremes and Pomegranate Martini’s. I can’t wait!

Indie-Yuppie

I recently discovered a fantastic source for new music, a blog called Stereogum. Definitely check it out if you like discovering music that is less Ashlee Simpson and more The Shins, but aren’t afraid to cop to liking Kelly Clarkson.

While finding Stereogum, it was revealed to me that people like myself, my husband, and our friends, might actually have a name. Enter the Indie-Yuppie. In this article from the NY Post, Indie-Yuppies are described as such:

“Meet the new yuppie: the urban striver who listens to “O.C.”- approved indie rock, checks the right blogs to find out about “secret” rock shows, considers white iPod earbuds the ultimate fashion accessory - and is a lawyer with a mortgage and a baby on the way.”

If you have baby barf on your Strokes “vintage” tee, you bought your BMW for the iPod connector, you throw words like ‘fo shizzle’ and ’sucka’ into your otherwise white suburban vernacular, or you own the movie Garden State, you might be an indie-yuppie too.

Read the rest of the article right Here

Countdown to Defcon 5: AKA The World is About to End

It has begun. Christmas break. No school for 2 weeks. Can you see my hair turning gray as we speak? As if its not bad enough that the Kid will be home this much, there’s something that makes this whole situation even worse.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO WITH HIM.

My regular readers know that Charlie is not like most children, so planning things to do isn’t as easy as most mother’s have it. I can’t just take him to playgroups and Gymboree every day.

Sigh.

Adding to the fun is that the Baby is really territorial and doesn’t like the fact that the Kid is in his ‘hood all day long now. Blood has already been drawn. Literally.

I hope we make it to Christmas with all our limbs-and sanity.

How Bored Are You?

Completely done with Christmas shopping? Everything wrapped and under the tree? Hit all the Christmas parties and waiting for the New Year bashes? If so, you might have time to sit in the queue at this website , and wait your turn to control the Christmas lights on this guy’s house. Your power trip will last one whole minute.

Keep in mind, this is only if you happen to be bored between 5:30-Midnight EST.

Pardon Our Dust

Fantastic! Watch Here.

Gift Ideas

Only three weekends left before Christmas and I have barely begun to think about what I am going to get people. Unfortunately it won’t be much since this is the tightest Christmas we’ll ever have.

I thought I’d do my service to you, Internet, and share some ideas.

The Charlie Brown Pathetic Tree. It hold such nostalgia, such peace. Its also cheap enough to be your actual tree if necessary. Believe me, if people come over and see this tree your presents will be SO much nicer. Its the pathetic factor.

For those searching for answers to the meaning of life, or just the answer to “white or wheat?”, there’s something as well: Answer Me Buddha not to be outdone by Answer Me Jesus. Like a Magic 8 Ball, except all knowing. I can’t believe JC lost a bet and got stuck with pink. Buy both and see if they get along on your shelf.

Finally, we have the crowd favorite. You know him well, its Randolph The Butt Nosed Reindeer. This one’s a winner folks. A real giver. Get him while he lasts!

All items can be found at Urban Outfitters

Shocking

Quote from a recent “Martha” show I watched:

“I am shocked at the incompetence of so many people in loading a dishwasher.” -Martha Stewart