Twelve Days 'Til Christmas, Six Weird Things Meme, and a Partridge In a Pear Tree

We're counting down - only 12 more shopping days till Christmas, and here I am still having difficulty getting into the Christmas spirit...I find myself procrastinating on everything right now. At least we do have a wreath on the door now, and some lights on the front porch, with a little tableau starring my  kitschy ceramic Christmas Claus couple kissing under the mistletoe of the gingerbread house. Which I would show you a picture of, if I had a camera...but then if I had the camera, I'd probably procrastinate further by showing you pictures of a dozen other Christmas photos, and also include ones showing how un-Christmasy and just plain ol' messy the rest of the house looks (which would probably make you feel much better about how Christmasy and not nearly as messy your house looks - and while I'm all into the making people feel better about things, it would probably do absolutely nothing for my own self-esteem; depressing me and put me even further behind in Christmas than ever). That would then probably lead me to write more sentences that run on even further than that last one...

The things that I really should have done, such as actual Christmas present purchasing or card sending out - er, not so much. Nor actual Christmas tree  putting up and decorating thereof...I do have a good excuse for why I didn't do any of these things yesterday - as most of the day was spent at a children's charity event. Followed by a visit with my cheery, cheeky little monkey elves, the grandgirls. Also, when I got home to find the grandgirls, I also found that K. made spaghetti with meatballs the size of hubcaps, and I couldn't not eat at least one of them, and hurt his feelings, especially at Christmas-time; so I did. After already consuming a feast and several cookies at the Christmas benefit. Thereby incapacitating me for the remainder of the evening, since I spent the rest of the evening, semi-conscious, prone on the couch, after that - my body completely occupied with the task of digesting everything I'd thrown at it. I had barely enough energy to heave myself onto the couch. I was considering hibernating the rest of the winter, having consumed enough calories in one day to last me till spring. Only to wake up hungry once again, this morning - how is that possible? Why can't my stomache be more efficient, like my car: I fill up the tank, park it in the driveway - it's still full the next morning...it's not moaning and groaning, "where's the unleaded? I need at least half a tank or I can't get my engine started."

Anyway, as you can see by my babbling stream of consciousness, I'm still procrastinating, which leads me to this next segment of today's post, Six Weird Things About Me, since Roadchick  thoughtfully provided me with further fodder for procrastination by tagging me both on her blog and in yesterday's comments, leaving me no escape clause from the Six Weird Things About Me Meme:

1. Because, even though when I'm reading other people's meme posts, I am often wiggling in my seat at the computer waving my non-mouse-holding-hand in the air, calling out, "Pick me next! Pick me! Me! ME!" like a poodle begging for a bite from your plate - when I'm actually tagged - chosen to participate - too often, I then find myself completely stumped. I haven't a clue what to say to the questions. Or else, the complete opposite. Sometimes I have - oh, approximately 12 answers to each question, which no one wants to wade through (by the way, a huge thank you to those of you who have loyally stuck with me this far, and are still reading this post). I think that no one wants to read about how my favorite color is purple, but never on a car, and only if it's the shade of purple that's really blue-violet; and then I really like it best only if it's next to certain other colors like emerald green and turquoise...Because I like to think of myself as extremely easy-going, and somehow meme's always end up reminding me of what a picky, highstrung/high maintenance artiste I can be on certain topics, I end up feeling like the world's pickiest person, thus destroying my whole laid back self-image. Which then starts to remind me of all of my other insecurities and neuroses - sort of like how I'm feeling right now. So the memes and I have a complicated relationship going on. Or how,  when I was a kid, they'd  choose up sides for a game of Red Rover  (do you remember that one?),  and  I'd be  crossing my fingers  hoping to get chosen for a team, and not ending up being the one that was chosen last. Then oh! the excitement of being Chosen! Feeling accepted; wanted! Right up until everyone joined hands, and we called out, "Red Rover, Red Rover - send Jimmy right over!" and Jimmy would come racing over, full throttle. Sensing the weakest link, he'd head right for my spindly little, outstretched arm and when he struck it with full body force, I'd remember then, "oh wait - I forgot how much Red Rover can hurt. I don't really like Red Rover that much. Why didn't I just sit this out to begin with?" Because then I'd end up sitting off to the side nursing my wounded arm and shoulder amyway. Which is why I'm glad most playgrounds have banned that game now. I'm lucky my arm never got broken. Wait - didn't I have a point I was aiming towards here with this not-so-little analogy? Oh, yes - Me/Red Rover, Me/Memes - love-hate relationships. Though I do love them - and Bonnie I haven't forgotten about your "Z" challenge! I'm still mulling it over...

2. I would rather have just eaten little meatballs, last night. Preferably on little toothpicks. With cheese, crackers,  olives, other little nibblies, than  one huge meatball (don't tell K).  Though it was delicious,  I'd rather eat little nibbly anythings, than one huge anything. A bite of this, a taste of that. I think in a former life I was either a rabbit or hosted a lot of cocktail parties. Unfortunately, this doesn't stop me from eating huge things when presented to me on a plate by my friends and family.

3. Though I'm well-behaved about these things when I'm out at a restaurant or dining in someone else's house, at home I'm weird about which foods go together. I will only eat eggs if I can have either tomato juice with them or ketchup on them. I will only eat macaroni and cheese, if there's spinach - and preferably a slice of tomato to go with it.  I could go on naming at least two dozen other menu items  that must be  served together or in certain ways, but I'm sure you all have families and/or other things to do besides read about how OCD I can be.

3. My friend Barb called just when I was reading this meme, and I asked her if there was anything weird about me. She immediately said, "You save weird things because you want to use them in your art." Looking around me right now, I certainly can't deny that she had a point. Though I did get up and go throw something away after she said that. I won't say what though.

4. I can't wear watches. Well, I can wear them, but they stop - permanently, very shortly after I put them on. I used to wear the wind-up ones, because I could wear them longer before they died - but they're pretty impossible to find nowadays. I wear out almost any batteries faster than the average bear. I thought walkman's were just made really badly, till I realized what was going on.

5.  I would  rather drive myself, than be driven. Which will come in handy when I'm wealthy, since I can save even more money by not having a chauffeur :-)

6. I am one part ham/one part hermit crab. I'm actually pretty quiet and sort of shy, unless I'm with family or friends - a group of people I know really well. Or handed a glass of wine (which might be part of why I don't drink very much or very often!)

OK, Roadchick gave very specific instructions about the tagging part - so the six people I'm tagging are: Judie Macaw,  Ninnie, PamAries,  Kai,  Sioux, Lisa Froggy (if you haven't done this one already and  you want to).  As well as anyone else who'd like to try it.  Now I have to either go get some Christmas-y things done or find some other new way to procrastinate!

Comments

[tammy vitale]

ooohhh yes - hibernate all winter...and the watch thing - I used to couldn't wear them more than a year...come to think of it my lates didn't last longer than a year either. Then they'd either speed up or slow down - something about my magnetic energy someone once said...
great post - love the stream of consciouness - youre head sounds like my head. Shall I feel bad for you now or later - I call it hamster head - the hamster forever in the wheel running and no quiet. Ever.
Again, great post.

[lisa]

You are so funny. I love your stream of consciousness. I'll do the meme, but may not get to it until tomorrow afternoon since I have to be somewhere first thing in the morning.

(I corrected myself..first time I typed that I have to be someone first thing in the morning lol)

[Marilyn]

I HATED Red Rover. I had the skinniest little arms and it HURT when they'd plow through them. (God, I'd forgotten about that torture...er, game...) Ketchup on eggs...can't do it, can't even look at it...my uncle always eats 'em that way. re the batteries...are you one of those people who cause streetlights to flicker and/or go out?!

[Pacian]

I'm the opposite when it comes to food. I much prefer to eat different foodstuffs separately. There's very few things that I like to eat together.

Weirdly, I seem to recall enjoying British Bulldog when I was a kid, which is pretty close to Red Rover as I understand it, right up to the 'now banned' bit.

[miss*R]

you are funny! xoxo
and thanks so much for NOT picking me - memes I am not good at. so I hardly ever complete them - then I feel guilty about letting the person who tagged me down.....
oh and what is it about this Christmas? I have one present and that is all! I just cannot get into it this year at all.

[Caroline]

C'mon tink those weren't weird things they were all totally normal!

BTW Your font seems to have grown smaller - or have my eyes just gone?

And I'm both hurt and relieved that you didn't pick me... ;-)

[Pam Aries]

Wow ...you are weird! Hee hee ..only kidding! Weell...I have never done a meme, but this one is close to home! I'll do it! Have a great day!!!!

[Gemma]

OK...there were more than 6 wierd things in #1....a couple in #2....You did #3 twice(different each time)#4 is really wierd...you must have some electric charge in your body...do street lights go out when you drive by? Totally with you on #5...and then question #6...I think you are just PRECIOUS...Wierd but very Precious.
:-)

[artzyjudie]

Whew!!! I'm sure glad you don't have a camera. I'm worn out now from your thoughts so I am the one who is next in line for the couch.

I don't have Christmas spirit either for some reason. I think I am waiting for next year. I't like "the grass is greener". Next year will be better. Next year I will be more in the mood. Next year.......I'll do your meme. LOL

OKOK I'll do it, but I am NOT in a good mood today so my answers will prolly be Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

The size of hubcaps???? OMG! And how many tons of pasta? Well, let's don't knock it. It could have been worse. Couldn't it?

I know that someday we will meet in person. Please....let's not shake hands. I don't want to get zapped into the next lifetime. ;)

[boho]

this is the first time i have come here. you crack me up...xo

[tinker]

Tammy - Thanks! I call it 'hamster mind' myself :-)
Lisa - I'm glad you're going to play along - can't wait to read yours!
Marilyn & Gemma - No, I've never noticed streetlights going out when I drive by - I may be weird, but I don't think I'm THAT weird - yet! lol
Pacian - Did British Bulldog have a chant as well? If so - what was it? (Though I'm sitting it out, I don't want a dislocated shoulder!)
Robyn - You're welcome; I know just how you feel.
Caroline - I thought I'd seen you do this one before - it may have been one similar (a lot of the memes start to sound similar after awhile though). Please do one if you'd like - I'd love to read your answers!
Pam - I feel so honored to be a part of your first meme - Can't wait to read yours!
Gemma - LOL, Oh my gosh - you're so right. Especially number 3, I did it twice! OK, add "can't count" to that list!
Judie - Well, maybe I exagerrated,just a little, lol - but they were close to baseball size - had to cut it up to eat it (though delicious). We'll forego handshakes if you'd feel better - though no one's complained of a "joybuzzer" handshake from me yet. But then would they tell me? lol
Boho - Glad you stopped by and that you enjoyed it. Hope you stop by again!

[Tammy]

Remember that commercial "I ate the whole thing"? You reminded me of that. LOL

Mac & cheese only w/spinach? Love that!

Your blog and art look fantastic!

xxoo

[Paris Parfait]

I love that idea of hibernating all winter - especially since last night I ate enough chocolate to keep me on the sofa too. The art is fabulous and your post is very funny. If it makes you feel any better, I still haven't gotten my Christmas decorations out of the wine cellar, because that would require moving about ten pieces of furniture and really, who has the energy? I'm thinking I'll just go buy some more tomorrow. Today I did get out some Christmas candles, change the sofa cushions in the "salon" to red, olive and gold velvets and iron a tablecloth - but only because my daughter's coming home from university tomorrow. I haven't listened to any Christmas CDs or watched any DVDs - like you, am having trouble getting in the right frame of mind! xo

[Kai]

I finished my Meme thingie.. :) teehee..Peace, Kai

[Jana]

*giggle* Tinker, I love it when you post while procrastinating!!!!

Meatballs the size of hubcaps?? hehe sounds... um... filling?

Red Rover... I absolutely LOVED that game! Even though I WAS one of the smallest/weakest ones... I wasn't THE weakest, so I wasn't injured often. :o)

It's funny to listen to how you like your food at home. I'm OCD about lots of things, but that's not on my list. I'm OCD about everything else though. lol

[Sam]

This post illustrates why we are so fond of you, sweet Tinker! You are just precious, with all your OCD ways. (I'm thinking your food pairings definitely don't lend well towards Southern food.)

Also, I love Red Rover. So much fun, but yes sometimes painful!