Let’s face the facts, dearest readers, this will in all likelihood be the only post I do before Santa comes to town. Which is only a few short hours away. Can I just be the typical American here and mention that Christmas arrived way to early this year? I laughed a few months ago when I saw Christmas Decorations during Halloween. And then when I looked up again - it was the 23rd of December.

But not to worry - I’m on top of things, now. I’ve made my list - checked it twice - I found out who was naughty and nice and the nice children’s presents are underneath the tree.

You know what else is under the tree? Tons of presents (seriously - no exaggeration!) from my absolutely adorable customers. I haven’t opened up many of them (some of you are too stuck on this whole tradition of opening up presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and not when they arrive in the mail.) but the presents that I have been most fortunate of opening have been … incredible! Rolf sent me a gift certificate from amazon I haven’t had the pleasure of spending yet - and also sent me a few presents from my wish list (but as I mentioned earlier - there are some callers who are sticklers about the appropriate time when one can open them!), Tiffers totally blew me away by sending me a gold anklet (white gold - my fave!) and one of the prettiest leather bound journals I’ve ever seen. I have presents under the tree from the good Doctor, my favorite editor, my college sweetie, and a pretty good size gift is on its way from the computer technician of my dreams. There were some gifts that just made it into my bank account that deserve mention, too. CWF, JC, Rolf, T.H. and Julene.

I started to write a list of all the people who have just called to wish me Merry Christmas - or who have called to check up on me is way too long to mention here. Let me just say here that there are many of you - some of which leave me feedback professing their undying love and appreciation (*big grin* you know who all of you are!) and others who prefer to give me their feedback on line or by calling me more than their pocket books can probably afford. I wish all of you the best Christmas ever. I know hanging around the family can be tough around this time of the year, but hang in there. The wrapping paper will settle and the dishes will get cleared from the dinner table. Your relatives will go home (eventually) and toys will be assembled. When everything is said and done - I’ll be around to hear all about it and help to relieve a little bit of tension in whatever way we see fit.

Thank you so much - all of you - for making this more than a Christmas I could “bear” - but a Christmas I’m looking forward to enjoying. In your own way (big or small) you have all contributed to that.

Whatever it is that you celebrate (Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza, or just a great sale - LOL!) - Celebrate and enjoy - as much as I’ve celebrated and enjoyed each one of you. Happy Happy Holidays!

Every morning Jackson and I run to the bathroom like our lives depend on it. I have to carry Jackson down from the loft - and then he goes outside to empty his bladder and I try not to watch and not so patiently wait my turn. This morning I thought it was like every other day. I grabbed Jackson out of his crate - and set him on my bed until I had sure footing to climb out of the loft. Jackson seemed to stretch a bit - and looked at me with this sort of far away look in his eye. I lifted him up and a stream of warm pee soaked my tank top and arm. Jackson just could not wait. So there I was - in the early freezing morning (it had to be about 50 degrees!) smelling of pee. I had to add cleaning the carpet, doing my laundry and giving Jackson a bath to my now hectic day.

Jackson also had many presents to wrap for his classmates. He figured he’d give them all a little Christmas present. And then Jackson while tugging on a pair of my socks started this sort of gagging and pawing at his face. I thought he was chocking and called my Dad over to help me pry open Jackson’s mouth. He was bleeding from the side of his mouth and making these noises that really freaked me out. A few minutes later one of Jackson’s teeth was in my hand. My baby’s first tooth. (aaaaaaah)

To say that my day has been extremely eventful would be an understatement.

I really need to run to classes now. I want to take Jack on a bit of a walk so that he’s a little more calm for Puppy School. I don’t know if it will work or not but in theory it seems to make sense.

I will try to write more this evening… and I will also be logging in later tonight - probably around 10PM or so PST. Hopefully we’ll get the chance to speak then!

At the beginning of the semester we would all look at one another and smile - happy to be on campus and eager about our futures. We took classes that interested us - got high from smelling the brand new erasers - shoot, we dang near got wet matching our notebooks to our folders. Our campus now resembles a morgue. We look at one another with our eyes all glossy and red from lack of sleep - wondering why we even signed up for the semester. Well, it’s almost over. Thank God.

Christmas is right around the corner - and while I’m buried in graph paper and linear equations and scripts and other college bullshit - I haven’t forgotten that it’s the season to be jolly (fa la la la la la la la la.) I have a surprise for you … a sort of Christmas present to all my dear sweet listeners who are as tired of my classes as I am. Hell week is almost behind me and I will survive. I will survive. Hey Hey! *wink* I know I have been - neglecting you all lately. Sometimes I’ve logged on according to my schedule - but many times I haven’t logged on at all. Many of you find me regardless - but I know that there are others who are wondering what the hell I am doing (or where the heck I’m at!) So - I know that some of you are shaking your heads wondering if I’m really going to do something for you this holiday season - or if I’m gonna leave you waiting by your stockings on Christmas morning with little tears in your eyes and a lump of coal in your hand. Don’t you worry - Santa Claus is coming to town - and he has a little elf named CeCe who is just about done with her finals and is ready to make little toys for all the good boys and girl (Tiffy.)

So …get ready. Get set. Let’s Go!

Forgot to mention - the second elf is played by a pretty well known Maltese - you’ve probably heard a lot about him but never saw a picture of him. His name is Jackson. He belongs to me (at least that is what I keep trying to remind him of.) Hope you enjoy our routine. *wink*

Sometimes I look at Jackson and I turn green with envy. He has a great life. He gets to take me for a walk (still working on the pack leader philosophy but as of yet it’s not working!) daily, gets foot placed at his feet whenever he so much as whimpers, gets only the best treats that money can buy, has more toys than any other doggy I know (including Paris’ dog Tink), gets to lay around and sleep all day on nice pillows, blankies and beds and last but not least he gets to lay my arms and snuggle up against my boobies when he’s getting up from a nap and isn’t quite ready to terrorize the household. That dog has it made. No one has mentioned college to him, no one expects him to go off and get a job, he doesn’t have to pick up after himself and he can hump his various girlfriends in public whenever he feels the urge. My Jackson is living the dog’s life to beat all dog’s lives.

But today I came really close to topping his best day. With Jackson tucked under my arm I answered the door. Mr. UPS man was holding a nice plump and juicy box for me from LUSH cosmetics. I really favored PHILOSOPHY products for awhile - and before that Melis products (but they have discontinued alot of their scents - including Orange Cream Cake - YUMMMY!) so I was a bit hesitant to try out the Lush Products. But man am I glad I did! Their creams are to die for - so thick and yummy. I also got a lip balm from them that smells good enough to eat. (I did taste it and it has no taste - darn.) The best part of the package though had to be this stuff called Candy Fluff. Oh My Goodness! It’s dusting powder (talc powder) that comes in this little pink canister thingee - that smells like … candy. It smells absolutely sweet enough to drink/eat. I’m planning on washing my sheets in a minute - drying them - and then dusting them with a layer of this stuff tonight before I go to bed. It is that delicious. It momentarily jostled me out of my Gilmore Girls Heaven - and that’s saying a lot because I basically sleep with that series on now. I should have really waited until after my math final. *sigh*

So thanks again Scott for the Gilmore girls - and my Mister Pimp Lush Man who will be happy to know I added a few more things from LUSH onto my girlie wish list.

I better go for now. The TV is off - my bed is stripped and the laundry room awaits me. Jackson probably needs a treat, too, come to think of it. It’s been about 2 hours since he last had one and he tends to get a bit violent when I wait too long.

My cold is a bit better (thank you GOD for sudafed and vitamin C) and my teeth - well - I think they are straighter today - LOL. I probably should put my rubber bands back on though for the full pain dosage my Doc requires.

I’ll be logging on this evening around 9:00PM and will stay logged on till about 12:00 Midnight - maybe 1:00AM if my nasal passages are clear and open. LOL! Sorry - but breathing thru my nose is important during certain calls. I know you understand - or you’re having a fun time trying to figure it all out… *wink*

Talk soon…

My father had a beard for a while. I thought it was… interesting. He kinda looked like Paul Bunyon. He looked a bit scary - but it grew on me. I like the 4 o’clock - or is it 5′oclock? shadow look. I’m stalling.

I don’t know if it’s the beard thing or not - but I have a few musical crushes. They will probably shock you - but I’m a complex person. I’m still stalling.

Ok - fine. Here it is: I love the bearded guys of the late 70’s early 80’s. I’m talkin Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina, Dan Fogelberg, and even a bit of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young. I really love those bearded guys. The music always makes me think of campfires and marshmallows and my father’s guitar playing. Even though John Denver isn’t a bearded guy I even like him. Annies Song is one of my favorite songs of all times. I think I mentioned it once before on here and it deserves to be mentioned again. What ever happened to Dan F? I’m sure I’ll hear him this New Year’s eve like I do every year…I like that song - but I prefer Longer Than. God…he’s so romantic AND cute.

You know what it is? Those bearded guys really knew how to sing about love. You fill up my senses like a walk in the forest? and what about Longer than any bird ever flew - I’ve been in love with you? And Even though we ain’t got money… I’m still in love with ya honey… Dang. That’s beautiful. Summer breeze makes me feel fine… blowin thru the jasmine in my … never mind. That didn’t count - there were drugs involved with those group of bearded guys.

Anyway - I just thought that you should know. If this makes you love me less then … I don’t know what to tell ya. LOL. But I’m sick of hiding it. I’m a proud 70’s beard lover. So bushy and out of control but mushy and sensitive underneath it all. *sigh*

Ok - about this being on alerts thing. I’ve been really under the weather. I’ve been so ill that even Danny’s Song can’t cheer me up. First I had a really bad cold. I caught it - I’m blaming Jackson because I distinctly recall hearing a slight sneeze from that adorable snout. But before that I had my monthly visit with the Dr. of Agony - or the Orthodontist as he likes to be called. Rubber bands and thicker wires makes for a very achy CeCe. I thought that if I just left the phone on “alerts” that when I caught a little bit of a break I would be able to … you know… take a call or two. It’s not deliberate - the calls I take, I mean. I just take the ones that I happen to hear when I gain consciousness. I’ll be going to a concert tonight via telecast (St. Olaf Christmas Concert … it’s very important in our family. It’s a Lutheran thang) and then I’ll be logging in tonight if I can possibly make it - around 9:00PM or so. I figure a hot shower and a shot or two of brandy will do the trick.

Sorry about the lack of updates - but I did manage to write 2 times this week. 1 post shy. Maybe I’ll make my goal this upcoming week. One can dream.