it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

And it really is. Though it doesn’t feel wintry outside, stores are buzzing, traffic is fierce, and office parties are a dime-a-dozen. Parking lots are full of shoppers more than willing to empty their wallets for the perfect gift, only to do it all over again at the next store. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the tangible things that the season brings; after all, we’re bombarded with commercials, advertising and tinsel earlier and earlier every year. I’ve found that each person has something that really defines the holidays for him or her, and without it, Christmas just isn’t the same. Be it green bean casserole, a real tree, lights on the house a la Clark Griswold or your grandmother’s Nativity scene, people begin to associate their holiday with a favorite aspect of the season.

For me, it’s the music. Last night I began putting together an all-inclusive Christmas CD for a friend, and through the beauty and magic of iTunes, a new galaxy of holiday hits opened the compilation to songs old and new, secular and religious, unique and repetitive. However, I found myself still gravitating toward the songs I’d always loved. My own personal catalog has evolved over time but essentially hasn’t changed much. Here’s my abridged list along with my favorite versions:

“Carol of the Bells” – my all-time favorite. I was very influential in Mrs. Moore’s choosing this one for our performance in high school chorus. I love the idea of voices sounding like bells and that everyone knows the tune, but not the words. I can teach them to you if you’d like. Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s rendition is the best I’ve heard, but I also love the Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s electric guitar version.

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” – my favorite secular Christmas song. From James Taylor to Coldplay to Old Blue Eyes, I’ve never found a version that I don’t like. I love its message of enjoying time together with the ones you love and keeping your troubles “out of sight.” It’s a little mournful, but there’s nothing I’d rather hear.

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” – Again, a little mournful. I like to imagine a young man working really hard at his office and writing this song as a letter home to his mom. If I were Michael Buble’s mom, I would think he really was coming home for Christmas.

“Ave Maria” – The Charles Gounod version. I love it so much I made it a part of my May wedding. But, if you can’t get Janie Diaz to perform it for you personally, believe it or not, Jewel does a great job with this one.

“Step into Christmas” – Sir Elton John’s Christmas song makes me dance every time I hear it. It’s kind of flamboyant…just like him.

“Little Drummer Boy” (a.k.a. Pa Rum Pa Pum Pum) – My dad’s favorite has now become mine as well. This endearing song embodies so much that is Christianity and is a musical reminder to always humble ourselves before God. Everyone’s gift is valuable, and we should use them always to His glory. Plus, I like that the ox and lamb keep time – I imagine them wagging their tails with the beat of the drum. Jars of Clay has a great interpretation of this one.

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” – Only one version of this song will do for me. Though the silver screen adaptation of the Dr. Seuss classic is good, the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is superlative. There’s a reason it’s been around for over 40 years. How can you argue with a three-decker sauerkraut and toadstool sandwich with arsenic sauce?

“The Christmas Song” – Does it get any more “classic” Christmas than this? Have you ever seen a Christmas movie that doesn’t weave it in at some point? Almost every phrase is a dedication to the most wonderful time of the year. I don’t think I need to say that Nat King Cole owns this song, but Stevie Wonder and India.Arie also put a jazzy spin on it.

Honorable Mention:
“Breath of Heaven” – Amy Grant
“Must Have Been Old Santa Claus” – Harry Connick, Jr.
“Merry Christmas, Baby” – Otis Redding
“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” – Jackson 5
“O Holy Night” – Martina McBride

If you’re not familiar with the songs on my list, give them a try. You won’t be disappointed, and you may find a new favorite of your own. Did I leave off your favorite? Please share…

she lets the dawg out...

I wonder if Bully appreciates his life in the lap of luxury and the laps of Bulldog fans everywhere. I could get used to bottled water waiting on me, treats on demand, rides to work in a golf cart and hugs wherever I go.

Here’s to the good life! Woof!

i love marshall ramsey

As usual, Clarion-Ledger editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey hit the nail on the head this morning with his cartoon. But, let's face it - he had a lot of material to work with.


I wonder if he'd prefer a different title. I think "Illustrator in Chief" has a nice ring to it.

they stole the clocks; we stole the game

Sometimes it feels great to be wrong. Like when you go to buy something, ready to pay full price, only to find that it's on sale. Or when you think you've lost something forever and find it at the bottom of your closet. Or when you've given up all hope of winning a heated rivalry football match-up, and you find yourself sadly (or elatedly) mistaken.

Kell assured me (and anyone else who would listen) that State would win the always-tumultuous Egg Bowl, but I wish I could say I held complete faith in the Bulldogs the entire game. In fact, we toughed out three grueling quarters of the Rebel-led contest only to wander out to a friend’s tailgate to finish watching the game on a tiny TV complete with rabbit ear reception. I don’t understand the infamous, questionable 4th quarter call that created the perfect storm, I probably never will, and it really doesn’t matter. When the tides began to turn the way of the Dawg, we ran back into the stadium and squeezed our way into some empty space near the goal line. The next thing I know, the game is tied, there’s 18 seconds left in the game, and I’ve completely forgotten how cold I am. Adam Carlson, who has to be dying for some last-second field goal redemption, places a kick that seemed to just inch through the air in slow motion, and the eyes of all 51,727 attendees were glued to the pigskin as it sailed right down the middle of the uprights. Even watching the replay of the game today, I still don't believe it.

Burly security guards stood between the fans and their desire to celebrate with the team on Scott Field, and game operations had the goal posts down before anyone could think about it. It’s just as well since I’m sure I would have gotten trampled and left by my husband, who was almost comatose with excitement. Maroon-wearers everywhere seemed to be in a state of euphoria mixed with shock, and I think I heard “Can you believe that game?” over 100 times between then and right now. It took seeing the Starkville Daily News front page and reading articles on the internet for it to really sink in. Pretty silly emotions for just a game, right? Maybe. But not silly to Coach Croom, his staff or his players. And not silly to the thousands of Bulldogs that are still pinching themselves. Hey, good thing Ole Miss isn’t able to get fired up to play in Starkville. If they had been, that loss might have been painful.

On another, but equally exciting, note, The Twins are 1 year old today! Exactly 365 days ago, the world became a wilder, albeit cuter, place. O and C enjoyed a cake/sandwich of wheat bread, turkey and peanut butter decoration. They were careful not to mess up their maroon and white. Happy Birthday, Olive and Charlie!

let us give thanks

It's November, and Thanksgiving is on its way. I'm still in Canada, and it's alone time like this that conjures up warm and fuzzy feelings about home. God has been so good to my family and me, and I could go on for days about all the gifts He's given us. With all the hype, uber-commercialism and all-around craziness of Christmas, my favorite holiday is often overlooked. It's easy to get consumed with purchasing gifts for family and friends and forget about things that we already have that we're thankful for. But, here are just a few things (in absolutely no particular order), both intangible and material, that I'm grateful I’ve been given:

God’s unconditional love
a loving husband
bad/sweet puppies
being an American
DVR, the poor man's TiVo
Cupcakes
Hand sanitizer
Mississippi State
good friends, old and new
hair on my head
Old Navy
XM Radio
supportive parents
a fun sister
health
great work friends
Clorox wipes
digital cameras
wise and wonderful grandparents
the CHI
Weight Watchers
great in-laws
blue jeans
Emily Post's Etiquette
freedom
naps
iTunes
laughter (courtesy of The Office among other things)

What are YOU thankful for?

dawg day afternoon

Go freaking Bulldogs! Well, it's finally happened. State is bowl-eligible. And it couldn't have happened to a better team. Ok, it could, but I'll play the cards I'm dealt. I can only hope that there aren't men and women all over Bulldog Country dropping dead of excitement. I'm sitting in my hotel room in Ottawa, Ontario, devastated to have missed the most important game at Davis Wade Stadium/Scott Field since 2000. But, it doesn't matter. Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide failed to roll over State today in Starkville. I hope he crossed the MS/AL state line still scratching his head about how Coach Croom defeated his own alma mater yet again.


Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer, Go to h*** ALABAMA! (can I say that? my apologies...I'm just excited)

promote the vote

It's Election Day! Finally, all the roadside signage, all the TV and radio ads and all the bumper stickers put in a hard day's work and either prove to be worth their weight in victory or are worthless.

As Americans, we should take every opportunity to speak through the electronic voting machines (with thanks to Kell and his staff) by selecting the candidates who will best serve our great state. That's not to say that the best man wins each time, but this is what a democracy is all about. It's what the extraordinary men and women of our military are giving their lives for in Iraq. It's about being able to speak your mind in print, on the air, across the internet and over the radio waves. It's about sending your kids to whichever school you choose. It's about worshipping in your church, or choosing not to. And it's something so many of us take for granted. So, get out there and VOTE today! Kell would be proud.