When I was a tween and teenager, I collected frogs (long before frogs became “cool”). I had, and still have, some awesome frog jewelry, figurines, and some cool stuffed frogs received from boyfriends/husbands/friends over the years. But I’ve never considered myself “collector” of anything (besides clutter or excess pounds, perhaps).

The other day I undertook the monumental task of organizing my ribbon drawer(s) and realized that I actually am a collector…

…of ribbon.

It started in my early 20s. I didn’t have much money at the time, and treating myself to a fancy ribbon now and then seemed like an affordable indulgence.
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This year has gone by incredibly fast – and this month in particular. I can hardly believe that Christmas is only a day away.

Is it just me, or do the holidays feel like they’re rushing upon us like river rapids?

I decided to keep things simple – my only decorations are my horizontal Christmas tree (garland above my fireplace, with some of my favorite ornaments) and a collection of three small sparkly snowflake trees on the mantle.

I was inspired by my son’s Christmas plans, and tried to keep gifts simple, but meaningful. Yet, despite my intention to make it a low-key Christmas, I found myself rushing around to get gifts finished and mailed off in time to be received by the big day.

I got some hair-brained idea that I wanted to sew some gifts this year (which is ridiculous, since I don’t sew). It really would have been much simpler and less time consuming to just go buy gifts. But no, once I got the idea, I was a woman possessed. So it’s my own fault that I lived in chaos (and fabric stores) for 2 weeks.

And now, the holiday is upon us. Are you ready? What exciting (or boring) plans do you have?

Whatever your plans (and do please share them), I hope you have a wonderful Christmas – or whatever holiday you celebrate

I’m really and truly almost finished with my final Costa Rica post. Just so many photos to go through (don’t worry, I won’t post them all).

But in the meantime, I have a question.

Who the hell are the Kardashians and why should I care???

I keep hearing and reading about “The Kardashians” and see them on tv advertisements.

Can someone please fill me on just who they are and why I (or anyone) should care? Why they are the recipients of so much attention?

And are there other “celebrities” or current public figures out there that have you as befuddled as the Kardashians have me?

You might get a Christmas card from me this year. But you might not. In fact, it’s likely that you won’t.

I’m sorry. Really, I am.

I actually like sending holiday cards – I like getting them. In this day and age of digital communication, there’s something special and personal about receiving a tangible, hand written/signed card in the mail. So it’s something I plan on and look forward to each year. In fact, I purchased the cards in October with the best of intentions and chances are you’re on my list. They just need to be written in, signed, address, stamped and mailed.

But, due to working 60 additional unexpected hours in November, this holiday season is not going as I had planned. It all just feels so overwhelming this year. No tree, though I have hung a garland under my mantle. After 2 weeks I finally hung a few decorations on it.

And I managed to finally make/send an advent calendar to Kennedy just in time to start the countdown to Christmas… a much bigger project than I’d initially imagined, but it turned out really cute.

Happily the holiday package for family in Costa Rica made it in time for them to enjoy a few treats and crafts for the season. So I didn’t bail on the holidays entirely… but the greeting cards will probably sit here unused this year. Maybe you’ll get a postcard from Costa Rica in January instead. No promises

But even though you might not get a card this year, I want you to know that I’m happy you’re in my life – whether in person or online.   And I hope you have a beautiful Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanza, or whatever you celebrate.

I’ll leave you with a seasonal photo of Molbak’s poinsettias in case a card is not forthcoming…

Happy Holidays! How are yours shaping up this year?

Here are a few things that made me smile this week… well, a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been in a (overworking) vortex for what feels like forever…

A love letter from Miss Kennedy. Also enjoyed the ones she wrote to her parents.

I was particularly pleased to see that she drew me as tall and thin.

Was happy to receive a postcard from cute Marie in the mail – all the way from the Galapagos Islands.

I also got a good chuckle from many signs from the Rally to Restore Sanity.
“You are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own spelling.”

I think I have a crush on Rachel Maddow.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

You go girl. Keep being smart and sassy and putting idiots like O’Reilly in their place.

As you take time to reflect and feel gratitude to fallen soldiers today on Memorial Day, why not consider offering a tangible thank you to those currently serving on our behalf?

Fox River, a company that makes highly coveted combat boot socks, has a program called Socks for Soldiers that allows anyone to purchase socks for deployed soldiers. A soldier will thank you.

Click here to purchase a pair (or two) – Fox River pays the shipping.

In my previous Hawaii post, I mentioned our “friends” – the sweet little Brazilian cardinals that graced our lanai – always in pairs. They simply delight us every visit to Kauai.

You’d think it would get old, but no – every time we see them we light up and call out “hello friends” and feed them crumbs of bread, even though we know it’s probably not a good idea.

We had a pair that visited us daily the whole 10 days were in there. On the 8th day, we were sitting on the couch and all of a sudden heard loud commotion coming from the deck. Our friends had brought more friends, and instead of one pair – there were 8 pairs! Yes, that is 16 cardinals (and a lone mourning dove) chattering on the railing, the table, the deck, the chairs. One pair was continually arguing like an old married couple. It was such fun.

Kristin left the sliding door open as we watched and continued to feed them, and one brave soul actually hopped up and ventured into the condo to partake of the crumbs you see on the carpet.

And with as many cardinals as we saw on this trip, we saw even more chickens. We don’t call them friends…. no, instead, every time we see one we call out – in a loud and alarmed voice, CHICKEN!!!! It has become the natural response anytime one appears. I did it without thinking when there was a woman near us at the Hanalei Valley lookout. She laughed.

Chickens, freed from their coops during the 1992 Hurricane Iniki, literally run amok on Kauai. They are at the beach, on the golf course, in parking lots, fields, along side the road. Unless you’ve been there it is difficult to imagine the magnitude of the chicken population, So Kristin and I decided to try and count them.

In a 2 mile stretch, we counted 99 chickens along the side of the road. And those were just the ones we could see – you know there are more lurking in the shrubbery. Why someone doesn’t round these guys up is beyond me. Any ideas how they should do it?

I am generally pretty averse to taking drugs – prescription or over the counter. I know there are those who have conditions requiring drugs for health, mental stability or quality of life, but I’m not one of them.

And I’m known to suffer (though not necessarily in silence) through headaches, backaches, toothaches, sinus congestion, etc. until they are completely unbearable before taking anything, other than essential oils/teas/herbal remedies.

But I have to say I have a testimony of Mucinex. I am so grateful that it is now an over the counter medication, not requiring a prescription. And Sudafed.

Every time I go to Salt Lake I get a sinus thing. This trip it headed straight to my chest (I don’t think I fully ever recovered from my December thing). I spent the entire time there coughing up phlegm (yuck) and sounding like a frog when I talked.

Now that I’m back in the northwest, my head is starting to clear up. Actually got a full night’s sleep last night. Maybe one more day of Mucinex and I’ll be good.

Do you have any drugs you’re partial to…. over the counter or otherwise? Any you avoid like the plague?

Sorry for that unpleasantness. I promise my next post will contain Kauai pictures.

First, big congratulations to American Evan Lysacek for winning the Olympic Gold Medal in mens figure skating. His skating was beautiful and the medal was well deserved.

However, Johnny Weir was robbed.

Although not as technically advanced as Evan or Plushenko, Johnny’s performance was by far my favorite of the evening.

It was nearly flawless – and was the most artistic and moving of any of the skaters. His music choice was perfect. His costume was beautiful.

His program was personal – titled “Fallen Angel” to represent his personal journey through skating.

I was simply appalled at the low marks he received both for his short program (watch here) and for his even more amazing free skate tonight (hopefully video will be posted soon). I think he deserved the bronze medal.

I have to wonder how much the judges let his his outrageous personality (I love that he is always ‘himself’ – including wearing a hat of red roses while awaiting his marks) factored into their scoring.

Did you watch men’s figure skating? What were your favorite performances?  And what did you think of the results?

While you’re considering your answer, here are a few fun Johnny Weir facts:

• He’s kind of a big fan of Russia. And “kind of” is a colossal understatement.
• Watching Oksana Baiul in the 1994 Olympics inspired him to try figure skating. (He found Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan “terribly boring.”)
• He started skating on a cornfield.
• He landed an axel in his first skating lesson (a jump that typically takes skaters a few years to master).
• He designs many of his own costumes – and wants to launch a career in fashion.
• He’d also like to try his hand at politics as an ambassador to South Korea or Russia.
• He brought a poster of Lady Gaga with him to the Olympic Village so that she “could watch over us”. LOL.
• He also brought along pink bathmats.