Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

This Weekend At The Bat Cave

Once again I have a bunch of "little stuff" floating around in my pea brain, which can only mean one thing. Yep, time for another round-up post! And away we go....

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Every once in a while My Man gets "stuck" on a TV show. He discovers something new-to-him or revisits an old favorite and then goes on a gorge-like viewing frenzy. In the past it's been shows like Iron Chef America, Dirty Jobs, Star Trek: The Next Generation. His latest obsession? For all you Brits who read my blog, it would be Top Gear which airs here in the States on BBC America. Basically three guys who talk cars, drive cars, and talk cars some more. He discovered it on YouTube, and now he's hooked. I'm currently wondering how long it will be before he completely O.D.s.

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After five years, the Bat Cave once again has a Christmas tree. When we lived in Michigan, we did a real tree every year. Since we now tend to travel over the holidays, I have refused to shell out cash for a real tree since moving to So. Cal. Of course traveling also means I have put off buying an artificial tree. Well no more. We did it today, and in a confession that will likely send the hounds of Hell after me....

I'm done with my holiday decorating. Already. I know, I know. Would it make you hate me any less if I tell you I haven't even thought about holiday cards yet and I haven't done a lick of shopping for gifts? See, I'm not that ahead of the curve.

Of course getting a tree has meant another long discussion with My Man. He's of the I Think The Tree Should Look Like Better Homes & Gardens school, while I think Christmas trees are like people. When they lack character, nobody wants to spend any time around them. I like my Batman ornament thankyouverymuch. And yes, Strawberry Shortcake is going next to Rhett and Scarlet. And how could he possibly suggest I not put up my Pinky And The Brain ornament? Rubbish!

Ultimately I "won" this round. Heh, only because our tree couldn't look like Better Homes & Gardens without us spending a shitload of money on new ornaments. And we're nothing if not cheap frugal. Plus I decorated the darn thing. So yeah, I win.

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I got a thank you card this week from my niece, The Fairy Princess, who turned 8 years old earlier this month. I got her the gift that keeps on giving. Yep, a Barnes and Noble gift card. I would say the favorite part of the thank you note was the fact that she signed both her first and last name. Like I wouldn't know it was from her. But the entire note is pretty damn cute.
"Dear Aunt Wendy,
Thank you for the Barns and Nobles gift card. I like it because I get to pick out my own different kinds of books."
Me too sweetie. Me too.

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I signed on to my e-mail this afternoon to discover a message from one of my longtime online buds. The long and the short of it is that I may have some news to share....hopefully soon. I just need to write another e-mail to verify a few things. When I can share, I will. For now, you'll have to settle for me being a tease.

21 comments:

nath said...

LOL, not to discourage you, Wendy, but I'm not sure he's going to O.D. on Top Gear. I started it a year ago and I still love it. Watch the episode with the Africa challenge or the amphibious cars II. It's great :)

and your niece is so cute! Budding readers, must love them :)

Susanna Kearsley said...

Wendy, if Your Man hasn't yet seen the Top Gear Botswana episodes, he has a rare treat coming...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOdtxemFUrQ
I actually stumbled on the show by accident while over in the UK, and these were the episodes playing. By the time the boys hit the salt flats (with the Volkswagon Beetle following ominously along behind) my ribs hurt from laughing so hard!

Wendy said...

Nath & Susanna: Just conferred with My Man. Yes, he has seen the Botswana episode! Which he then proceeded to tell me about - at length. And then I started laughing. Just from him TELLING me about it. So now I need to watch that YouTube clip.....

mslizalou said...

Not even sure if I'll put a tree up this year. However, I have 3/4 of my Christmas gifts sitting in my living room floor waiting to be wrapped. Ordered the rest of my grandmother's gift on Friday and will finish up the last of my shopping on Friday.

I've never seen Top Gear, but I'm always looking for new shows to watch.

My nieces love getting B&N gift cards too. Love that your niece signed both her first and last name...so cute.

JamiSings said...

I agree with you on the tree. That's why I have several Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation ornaments. I think BH&G things look like no one is living in said home.

Gail Dayton said...

You are a tree decorator after my own heart. (My fella is too, tho.)

We don't have Pinky & the Brain, but we have a fairly large number of clothespin reindeer and ribbon-and-pipecleaner angels made by our children (the oldest of whom is now 30! (Ack!!)). We also have a large collection of Santas--preferably playing band/musical instruments (we have two Tuba Santas), and angels, also with instruments. And toys. And Boy Scout stuff-- The fella's an Eagle Scout, we met in the marching band, we like toys, etc.etc. He wants to put them ALL on the tree.

And we're working on turning the grandboys into avid readers. They get books every year--but the oldest may be old enough for a book card now... He's 8. (Or is he 9? Ack! Bad Gigi! Can't remember)

Carrie Lofty said...

<3 Richard Hammond. That is all.

Renee said...

Yeah, well, over the past year we've added a couple of new pieces of furniture to the living room (piano and book case) and I've come to realize over the last couple of weeks that we now have no place for a tree. I haven't pointed it out to my guy or the kid yet. Sigh.

I'm with you on the random ornaments collected over the years. Each one has a memory, and I love revisiting them as we put them on the tree.

Sounds like you're being a good Auntie and teaching her young about the wonders of the bookstore gift card! :-)

Rosie said...

Already decorated? I'm so proud of you. As previously mentioned on my blog we got a pre-lit tree and can't wait to put it up and NOT have to wrestle with tree lights. The Saturday after Thanksgiving is traditionally our official decorating day. Good on ya SL.

Top Gear? Never heard of it and from these comments I do not intend to let that cat out of the bag.

Sandy Williams said...

My husband and I have spent the last three summers (and current fall) in London because of his work. Last May, he discovered Top Gear. It's on ALL the time over here (as if Friends *head desk*). What's strange is that I love Top Gear too. I mean, it's a story about three guys talking about cars for crying out loud. Why the heck would I like that?

But then, I also like a show about men on boats fishing for king crab. Maybe I'm just weird. :-)

nath said...

LOL, Wendy, my co-worker did the same. He's a fan of the show and told me stuff and it was really funny... and all in all, it's really worth watching. Even the smaller challenges are great.

apparently, Top Gear is the most downloaded show in the world.

PS. Also watch the limo episode and the lorry one :)

lynneconnolly said...

The Brit here.
Be warned. A new series of Top Gear started last week.
It's not about cars. It's about Being A Bloke. The series used to be about cars, then Jezzer bought the francise when it fell fallow and revitalised it.
I watch it and I don't even drive.
BTW, do they ever show the one where the boys do America? They end up in Nawlins just after the flooding and they can't even give their cars away! It might not be suitable, because Jezzer lets rip with his whole "I hate America" spiel, with "American cars are all right if you don't ant to turn corners" stuff.

Wendy said...

Liza: I have no clue what I'm doing about gifts this year. The grown-ups usually just exchange small gifts - which will be easy. But I'm flummoxed when it comes to my niece and nephew. I need to talk to my sister.

Jami: Star Trek ornaments! I want a Borg ornament! Or would that scare away Santa?

Gail: You just described my parents' tree. Their oldest is almost 40 (gulp!) and they still have some of our preschool-made ornaments they put up every year. I think it's cute :)

Carrie: LOL - I <3 Richard Hammond too.

Renee: That was our old apartment. We had a small living room and really no good place to put a tree. The current Bat Cave still has a small living room - but the tree fits nicely in a corner. And all we had to do was move an end table.

Rosie: Top Gear is actually pretty fun. The challenges they do usually bring the LOLs. Since we bought the tree this last weekend, it made since to just put it up now instead of waiting. Plus Lil' Sis and BIL will be with us for Thanksgiving and they can bask in our tree's awesomeness.

Sandy: I think it works because it's so funny. A dry show about guys talking cars doesn't really do justice in describing it.

Nath: We just saw the lorry episode! LOL

Lynne: My Man has been catching up with the show thanks to the 'Net. I'll have to ask him if he's seen the America episodes.....

Lusty Reader said...

now that we own our place and it has STAIRS (omg, so crazy i know) i am LOVING the whole decorating thing and also started early. with garlands and swags on the banister. swags is a word right?

also, your first tidbit reminded me of the ginormous grush i have on Mike Rowe of dirty jobs. i want to like him...after he's had a shower (or two) obvi.

on tenterhooks for your "news"!

Wendy said...

LR: I think we're going to spring for real garland for our fireplace mantle. Alas, we lack stairs.

And I just got confirmation on my big news. I'm going to post another teaser here in a little bit and make the official announcement sometime tomorrow.

Lynn Spencer said...

I dunno. Top Gear is pretty funny stuff. I'm not sure it's possible to OD on it. My husband has been addicted for quite a while now. BTW, the one where they try to outrun a tank is pretty good as is the Helen Mirren guest spot.

JamiSings said...

Wendy, you're in luck! I found a Locutus Of Borg ornament on Amazon for $20!

I'm sure Santa will get a kick out of it. He's obviously a Trekkie!

Katie Mack said...

First: Top Gear is awesome.

Second: How can you decorate for Christmas *before* Thanksgiving? That's sacrilegious or something. At least, that the excuse among my Procrastinators-R-Us family members.

Third: Unique/eccentric ornaments rock. Enough said.

Wendy said...

Lynn: OMG - Helen Mirren! I lurve Helen Mirren.

Jami: You know, that link jogged my memory. I tend to browse through the Hallmark offerings every year (cuz I'm a sucker), and I think I remember seeing that one many moons ago.

Katie: Well, I bought the artificial tree this past weekend. It seemed silly to stuff it in the storage unit, only to turn around and get it out again the day after Thanksgiving. So, I went ahead and put it up. Plus, the Lil' Sis and her DH are staying with us for a few days over Thanksgiving, so getting the tree out the way now gives me one less thing to do. Yippee!

JamiSings said...

You probably did. There's also a Borg cube on Amazon but there was only one for sale and it was too expensive if you ask me. I bet you could find one cheaper on eBay.

Joanna Chambers said...

My christmas tree is a tuppenny whore and I have a fabulous glittery turquoise reindeer statuette with a shocking pink fluffy neck decoration that I ADORE

Tasteful? Pah!