So, explain this to me...

..because I just don't get it. This Christmas Day terrorist had a syringe in his underwear, which was his explosive devise, correct? He didn't get up to go the bathroom to ignite it, I haven't heard that he got something out of his bag or used a book/magazine. He had it in his underwear, which would be on his person and not in a bag. Have I got all this right so far?

So can someone please explain how all these new, tighter security rules are going to help?? What bearing does no bathroom 1 hour before landing have on what happened Christmas Day? How does not giving me access to the snacks in my purse (a purse that was scanned by security) for my kid prevent future terrorist attacks? The only security response that I see people discussing that is truly in response to what actually happened is this body scan thing. Everything else is ridiculous stupidity that is probably making terrorists overseas wet themselves from laughing so hard.

And would I feel my privacy rights are violated by having a body scan? I don't know. But if my name (whether it's me or someone else who also has my name) is on a threat list somewhere I guess I'd expect to be scanned. Stop going after every single member of the public, even little kids, and take a harder look at the names already tagged as having terrorist ties! THOSE are the people who should go through every last security loop we have at our fingertips!

And let people go to the bathroom for crying out loud you idiot "security" people!!!

I heard this on the radio this afternoon and it never fails to make me tear up. As always, thank you thank you THANK YOU to the brave men and women who risk their lives every single day so that we can still have our Christmas traditions.

Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. :)

Early to bed, early to rise...

I find it fascinating that so many people are astounded by my rising time. I frequently get teased about the fact that I get up generally at or around 5:00. Why? Why is this so shocking? Am I really that weird (rhetorical question; don't answer it)? What's the difference with my getting up early versus someone else staying up late?

Let's really think about this for a minute. I think that what I do is just the opposite of someone else who stays up until 2:00. For the sake of argument, let's say that 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. are acceptable rising and going-to-bed times. Then I get up 3 hours before this time. Ok...crazy but not really that bigadeal, right? Now what about those who truly come alive when the sun goes down and can't think of sleeping before 2:00 or 3:00? These times are 4-5 hours past my argument's acceptable bedtime! Makes what I do then now quite so nutty? Maybe? Just a twinge? ;)

Let's also think about those people who sleep through morning alarms. They aren't morning people at all and simply aren't physically capable of getting up an earlier. But staying up well past midnight is not a challenge at all. Again, I do the opposite. When nighttime falls, I'm generally worthless I'm so tired. But morning, maybe I'm not too conversational first thing but I'm a helluva lot more productive in the morning.

Why is this so weird? Something to be surprised over or teased? I'm just opposite of a night person! Yet, I get teased and the person who likes to hit bar time for nights a week is pretty much normal. Oh it's not fair... :p

Nativity Tradition

I don't think I can remember a Christmas where my brother and I didn't setup the Nativity set. My parents actually have two. A big white, traditional one that Mr. X and did together and then a much smaller one that I usually setup on my own.

The white set was great because all the pieces are wrapped in cloth and stored in one box filled with popcorn. Every year we would "race" each other to Baby Jesus. We had to pull out and unwrap whatever piece we touched first but whoever got to Jesus first won I guess. I don't know....seems silly now but it was fun. :) I miss those time.

The smaller set my mom got from her younger sister while they lived in Italy. It's this cute little set with only a few pieces to it. I loved setting up the white set with my brother but I REALLY loved (still love) this small set. Once I had it up I would periodically play with it. Can't really tell you what specifically about it appealed to me so much but I just love this little set.

So all of this prelude is to try and convey just how important having a nice Nativity set is to me. I have incredibly fond memories surrounding this and I desperately want that to carry on to my son. Well, this is the first year that we have a Nativity set. And not just a merely nice one, a FABULOUS set. I have been drooling over this set for a couple years at least. And now it's sitting in my house. Setup by Gavin and me. Yeah. That was fun. :D

Gleefully opening the first box with the creche. Gavin thought it was a house. HIS house. ;)

Found Joseph!

I think this is Mary, who is holding Baby Jesus. Gavin has a sheep.

Playing with the sheep.

That was supposed to be a smile. ;) He really just wanted to keep playing.

Nativity!