Mosaic Life

Obituary

So my aunt found an obituary for my great-great grandfather, and I figured I’d blog it so as to preserve history and whatnot. Everyone knows that anything you put online stays online, so I figured I’d use that to my advantage for once. My great-great grandpa lived to a ripe old age of 93 and apparently had a “quiet and pleasant personality.” Sadly, I don’t think I inherited that disposition. Heh.

Last Veteran Answers Call: Mr. Joe D. Porter, Barbour’s Last Veteran Passes Last Evening At Age Of 93 Continue reading Obituary…

While watching a rerun of The Office

Brandon: I was thinking of that line when I was wrapping your gift today.

Wendy: What? “Bros before hoes?”

Brandon: No. “If you use more than three pieces of tape, you’re wrapping it wrong.”

Wendy: Oh.

The new standard

A lame commercial or tv show clip comes on.

One of us says, “Seriously, who would think that is funny?”

The other replies, “People laughed at the Simpsons Movie.”

And we both silently reflect on the sad state of comedy.

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas

Oh, the hostility. It’s been going on for what, 2 years now? At least that’s when I really noticed it. Wal-Mart says Merry Christmas, Target doesn’t, etc. I know the arguments.

Happy Holidays: “We should be sensitive to those who don’t celebrate Christmas. We don’t want to offend or alienate those who have different religious beliefs.”

Merry Christmas: “It’s Christ’s birthday that we’re celebrating. He’s the reason for the season. We aren’t compromising for other people. If they don’t like it, they can leave.”

I’m not partial either way, though I do lean toward happy holidays. I can see the point of both sides. But here’s something I thought of: which argument is kinder? As Christians, yes, we celebrate Christ’s birth. That’s what this season means to us. But why get hostile over it? Saying happy holidays or merry x-mas won’t take away what we have. It just means something different to other people. Why do we have to be so dogmatic about it?

I hate the hostility that this debate brings. I hate having to find cards that say “merry Christmas” for those friends/family members who are caught up in the whole argument. I just want to enjoy the season, and focus on what it means to me. Christ’s birth, a time of giving, a time to spend with your family or the people you love.

Christmas fun!

I just answered one of those e-mail question survey things, so I thought I’d post the results. It’s good to make use of that sort of stuff.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?  Both. Depends on the shape of the present and the cheapness I’m feeling.

2. Real or Artificial tree?   Artificial. A real tree would look stupid strapped to the roof of our car. Plus the cat would eat it. Not that he doesn’t eat our fake one.

3. When do you put up the tree?  Beginning of December

4. When do you take the tree down? End of December
5. Do you like Eggnog?  Depends. Sometimes it’s WAY too sweet. Otherwise, maybe.

6. Favorite Gift you received as a child? Mermaid doll that you could take in the bath tub. She sang, too. This hollow sounding la-la-la la-la-la-la song. Sounded like she was in a cave. Loved that doll.

7. Do you have a nativity scene?  Nope. Monster would probably break it anyhow.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My Dad and Brandon. Brandon always wants books, but I have no idea which ones.

9. Easiest person to buy for? This year: my sister, Brandi.

10. Worst Christmas gift ever received? I got a really lame puzzle of a puppy in 4th grade at a gift exchange. Oh, and I got a mannequin head that was bald and grotesque at a white elephant party. Wait, that was the best gift I ever received.

11. Christmas Cards… Snail mail or E-mail?  Both. Mostly snail mail.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?  A Christmas Story.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Way too late, I’m usually busy with school stuff.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?  Yes. Once I got some really smelly body splash, and I was actually too embarrassed to recycle it because I didn’t want anyone to think I thought it smelled good.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Ham. Mmm, ham.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored, because they’re cheap. Er, I mean, because they’re fun. Yes.

17. Favorite Christmas Song?  “What Child is This?”

18. Travel at Christmas or Stay Home?  Used to travel when we lived in CA, now I stay within a two-state radius.

19. Can you name Santa’s Reindeer? Yep.
20. Do you have an Angel or a Star on top of your tree?  A big red bow that we got for $2 at Wal-Mart. We have the least pretentious tree EVER.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Morning?  It depends on when my family can get together. My mom used to be a stickler about it being Christmas morning at our house.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Crowds and soccer moms who act all stressed out, but it’s because they do it to themselves.

23. Shopping…Mall or online?  Half mall, half online.

24. You decorate outside for Christmas or just inside (or at all)? Inside. I guess we could put lights on our balcony, but we’re exceedingly lazy.

25. Favorite Christmas cookie? Screw cookies. I like black forest cake.

26. Do you own Christmassy clothing or jewelry?  Nope, I’m not in 4th grade and I’m not an elementary school teacher.

27. Do you believe in Santa?  We’re not as tight as we used to be, but I guess I do. What with all the magic in my heart and all.