The store that makes me want to be a better man

...or woman, in my case.

Today, I finally made it to the big new Dillons at Central and Rock. I'm not sure what took me so long, other than that I live no where near Central and Rock. Or maybe I was just afraid it would be too good. And it was.

They had shallots just, like, SITTING in a basket. No orange mesh bag. Just SITTING there.

I would consider moving to be closer to these shallots.

Why must she?

Last night, our friends Audrey and Scott invited us and the Baumers over to their fancy Eastborough home for a little dinner, game play and Christmas cake decorating.


Lexi was a little intimidated by the four big kids, but she hung in there the best she could.


After cake decorating and eating, the big kids went to watch a movie and Lexi stuck to me like gumdrop on white icing. She wouldn't go to sleep but was snuggled on a white chair in Audrey's formal living room, watching us play games.

But because she's Lexi, the story doesn't end there. Suddenly, at the height of one of our games, lots of pink and chunky stuff started re-emerging from Lexi's mouth. All over the white chair. The evening was pretty much over at that point.

I think, though I may be wrong, that I've had to endure more of these horrifying episodes than the average mom.

Smells like it, anyway.

Kirstie

Sometimes, my job is kind of fun.

On Friday, I was assigned to write a story about an unusual Christmas display that had gone up in front of one of Kirstie Alley's houses on Douglas.

I called around, and within an hour, I was on the phone with her assistant. Did I want to come over and interview her? Could I come now?

I zoomed over to the former Inn at the Park, where Kirstie now lives. We sat in her nicely decorated living room and chatted for about a half an hour. She was very nice, didn't try to rush me at all, and answered all of my questions more or less, not that I was asking tough ones. She did, however, refuse to be in a picture.

It was surreal, but pretty fun. And just to answer the question everyone's been asking me -- she looked great. Still thin and very beautiful.

Anyway, here's the story I wrote. The message board posters are, of course, having a field day with it. But at least they're not attacking me for once.

Three days, three birthday parties

I think I know too many people born in December...

It has become a tradition that every year on Jaime's birthday, I throw her a little dinner party where we invite as many of her favorite people who will fit around my table.

This year, her guest list got smaller, and I do not mean in number...

Jaime's birthday weekend continued Friday night when, by her request, we had a pizza/Christmas cookie decorating party with Carter, his kids Colin and Catherine, Lexi and Amy's kids Maddy and Harrison.


Carter's buddy Nick and his very grown-up son Grant also stopped by for a bit. This is Jaime's not-so-outstanding effort at a timed self-portrait. Maddy? Catherine?


Maddy is a good cookie decorator, and she kept reminding us it's cuz she's done it before.


OK, so our finished products looked a little more Easter than Christmas, but they still tasted good. Note to self: Get red food coloring.


Then, this morning, we headed to McDonald's for Harrison's birthday party. He turns 3 next week. As you can see, he's money with the ladies. Don't ask me why Lexi has her hand down there. I have no idea.


The hot toy for the 3-year-old boy? Trains, and lots of them.

Full disclosure: This was Lexi's big return to the McDonald's where we had the "incident" back in September. I was hesitant, thinking they'd have her picture posted on the door, but no.

There were no incidents today, partially because she's much better in that area and partially because I put her in a pull-up. I wasn't taking any chances.

Above you will see the exact spot from which the shower originated. Look closely -- either they never quite got it cleaned up or that's a very popular spot for accidents.

Ugh.

Happy birthday, Harrison.

Happy birthday Jaime

Today, Dec. 6, is Jaime's birthday and I THINK she had a good one, even though I made her work the book sale.


I think the highlight of her day, though I can't be sure, was our gathering at Larkspur tonight. We had a good group of friends there, plus Carter... IN A SUIT!

It's Brian Corn's birthday too, and that's no small potatoes. He's Jaime's boss and a very high ranking member of the Eagle hierarchy.

If it looks like Carter Green is serenading Jaime with the help of the house piano man, that's because he was.

Happy B-day Opps!

With permission from Scruffins...

On the off, off, off chance that you haven't seen Jaime's blog posting about our Christmas tree assembly, here it is. Pay special attention to the Christmas pug.

Things are looking up

Today was much better. My cold is GONE! (Amazing how it can go from misery to vanished in one day.) And we had a little fun.

We started with an early morning visit from Kyle, who stayed with us while his mommy and daddy attended horrifically scheduled Saturday morning meetings. Play-Doh was on the agenda.

Kyle is a big Norton fan.


Both kids are Happy Meal fans. And yes, Kyle's shirt says what you think it does. I, for one, am relieved.

On the evening agenda -- poker. What else? Lori and Dale were late because they were at a shooting class. And I don't mean cameras. Turns out Lori's got skillz. Gulp.


I actually won $20 tonight, which is unusual for me. Above you will see the point in the evening when I bailed out -- the point when Dale starts betting the pot on every stinking hand.

At least he wasn't packing. I hope.