The Twisted Gypsy

And for those of you who did not get to find them this year…

The beloved Christmas Spider…

and the sour Christmas Pickle.

Here is the moment, the day, the event that is Christmas. It means a million different traditions that can be counted on, time that will be marked, changes that have occurred, acceptance, forgiveness and overall merriment. I am getting ready to sleep, after a day (really a week) of running, drinking, loving, talking, cooking, baking, doing, seeing, being and celebrating. It is impossible not to be sentimental on this day. It is impossible not to be visited by the ghosts of Christmas past and dream of Christmas futures. Maybe it IS possible, but I do not want to.

My wish for Christmas is the most cliche wish of all time. Ever. I know. It sounds lame. But, none the less, I really wish from the bottom of my heart and soul for peace. Peace in the world, peace in my life, peace for the people I love, peace for what is to come. It is starting to look as if it may not be too much to ask for.

Merry Christmas. Really, MERRY Christmas.

“Best wishes to all and to all a good life.”

Watch this…but not if you get all crazy about babies cursing. Hahaha!

click here

Thank you Amy Collins.

Last week, while in Florida, I accompanied Sherie Spangler (who rocks on the flute) to her district auditions. Upon entrance into the cafeteria, Dorie and I realized we may have gotten ourselves in over our heads. Needless to say, we only lasted in that room for about…well…about the length of this video.

P.S. Sherie made it! YEAH!
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School has been shut down in Salina for four days this week. The ice storm really wreaked havoc: knocking out power, taking down trees, causing fires from downed lines. Yesterday before I headed out of town, my Mom and I went on a little tour of Sunset park. The town looked as if someone had covered every tree in sight with a million strings of tinsel. It was absolutely breath taking. The ice was starting to melt and was making this eery crackling noise accompanied by thousands of drips. Every 30 seconds or so, giant chunks of ice would break off of the telephone lines and trees and come crashing to the ground. I am pretty sure we shouldn’t have been driving around in it (much less out of the car taking pictures) but it felt like a cool video game to swerve around the streets. And, yes Mom, I am a daredevil =)

My stomach is peeling from a sunburn I got last week in Florida after falling asleep by the pool (really stupid…and yes, J, I was wearing sunscreen) and this is what it looks like outside in the homeland.

Dear kids,

Don’t try this at home.

Love,
Carrie (and probably Jamie too)

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More proof that wine makes love uncontrollable.

Harriet was drinking straight up whisky. For real.

Just imagine Marcus and this chick in a dance off.

What is Ryan doing in the background?

We met this dude this past weekend, while trying to quietly party outside by the water. After being a normal level of nice to him, we could see that this was a terrible mistake. He disappeared for a moment and reappeared just as quickly, holding an armful of beer he wanted to share with his “new friends.” Hmm…it was not a lot different from a child in a playroom at preschool wanting to share his toys. Jamie immediately recognized that we were in for it and decided to just give into to Warren and his shenanigans. We began to humor him as he showed us his countless tattoos all of which were variations of the theme of skeleton, death and violence. Now is where you say “what hell were you thinking entertaining this stranger?” Don’t worry. We had Ryan and Marcus there to protect us (Never mind that Ryan wouldn’t hurt a fly and Marcus is about the size of a 10 year old.) Before Warren left us, he grabbed my camera and snapped this picture of himself just so I could remember the “crazy in his eye.” Indeed.

Ahhh, memories of Warren.

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When life seems to be floating in a hot air balloon, just out of your reach, I guess you just have to get a ladder.
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In the rest of the world, it is Christmas time. In Florida, it is another tropical day…beautiful, warm, sunny and non-Christmas like. Heading back to the MidWest in the middle of a blizzard will be extreme…just like those terrible tv shows and the sports drinks.
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I had dinner with Leslie last night and it was lovely. It is so amazing to sit across the table from your dear, dear friend and think about the fact that there is another human life growing inside of them. What is even more amazing is the automatic love you feel for this unborn baby. I cannot wait to see this child.
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I am in possession of some awesome video footage of one Ms. Jamie Johnson McCall. It will be coming to a blog near you very soon.
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Have I mentioned I love this site?
http://www.dailyom.com/
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