First Sunday in Advent

My first spiritual director, a chaplain at Georgetown Law School, recommended an Advent book called A Child in Winter by Caryll Houselander. Here's an excerpt from today's passage:

In the seasons of our Advent--waking, working, eating, sleeping, being--each breath is a breathing of Christ into the world.

I know Advent is a time for patience and expectation. It's difficult to get into that mindset when Advent always coincides with the franctic end-of-semester chaos.

Prayer request

Silent prayer request for one of Mom's friends.

New address

In case you missed it, I'm moving into DC. If I haven't sent you my new address, tell me.

Just Once

Maybe this bell inspired that James Ingram song?

Williamsburg Pottery

Pass the Pepto

Got to pass the Pepto!

Figaro's Christmas sweater

Goldie of Warner Hall

Goldie was a very sweet resident of the Inn at Warner Hall.

$2,900

That's how much someone tried to charge on my American Express. Thankfully Amex declined because the person did not have the security code to my card.

More holiday shopping deals

Pet Smart


Plow & Hearth


Lane Bryant


Gardener's Supply


Overstock.com


Wayside Gardens


NASCAR.com

Holiday shopping

Shutterfly

Alibris, Save $3 off $30 when you use coupon code NOSTALGIA (expires Dec 25)

Linens-N-Things, Lots of close-out sales, especially on Friday

PBS Store, Free shipping, also $10 off $50 when you use coupon code PBSFRIDAY (Nov 25-12/1)

Free shipping on orders $25 or more- at
Frederick's

NASCAR

Personalization Mall Use coupon code PM3201 for 15% off regular priced items


Time Life

Drugstore.com Deal of the Day! Save on some or our most popular products at our deepest discounts ever offered! Offers expire daily now through 12.19.2008.

WalMart

Amazon

Holiday shopping

I have a variety of readers. Some love holiday shopping, and some despise it. I'm sensitive to those of you who are weary of the commercialism of holidays. At the same time, I know that people with very limited incomes, such as graduate students, need to take advantage of the holiday shopping deals this week. I'll be posting many affiliate links for Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals. As usual, the tiny bit of commission I make will go into my textbook fund.

Interesting gift idea: marshmallow shooter

This certainly looks like more fun than a Salad Shooter.

Richard's treat = Simply the Best

Richard loves tote bags. I bought him this one. I asked him to hold it while making the Tina pose featured on the bag. He declined. Poo!

Personally, I'm curious of what a companion Ike Turner tote bag would look like.

Richard's neighbor, Tom

Richard snapped this picture on Friday. Tom is looking festive. He has a safe Thanksgiving planned, outdoors and not on anybody's plate.

We don't need another hero

Tina danced on a platform attached to a crane that stretched above the audience. I think she was singing Nutbush City Limits in this photo.

By the way, I saw a lot of skanky clothes in the audience, and also on Tina's dancers. Well, they didn't wear ENOUGH clothes. Bad economy and fabric is expensive, I suppose.

I wish I had a video of the man sitting in front of us. He was dancing, without moving his head or arms.

Tonight = Tina Turner concert

Richard is particularly excited. This is a photo of his framed poster from a Tina Turner concert. First time ever... in Luxembourg.

Big Red

One of the things Baby Ann is likely to see in Kentucky is the WKU mascot, Big Red. You may recognize Big Red from new stories over the past few years. Poor Big Red lost a lawsuit to an Italian red blob Gabibbo.

Songs-in-head: Careless Whisper

Thanks to a previous Barry Manilow post, a Wham! hit lingers in my mind.

Feast Day for C.S. Lewis

Today is the feast day for C.S. Lewis. A couple of years ago I read A Grief Observed, his journal entries following his wife's death. Very powerful writing.

Baby Ann will visit the Bluegrass State

I've been told Baby Ann (Claire) and family will fly to Kentucky next week. Since it will be Baby Ann's first trip on a plane, I offer advice I heard from Hadley:
When you get on the plane, start off by buying drinks for all the people in the rows around you.

Barry Manilow on QVC

I hate that I missed this. I've been told he also performed "Careless Whisper."

Cat Genie--flushable cat toilet

Cat Genie

Moving update

It is a very COLD time of year to be moving! Also, it is too cold to be wearing open-toed shoes, but girls at the law school are not aware of this.

I just assembled the recliner in the new room, and Bear is happy about that.

Tow truck

This morning Richard had a flat tire (and a flat spare), so his vehicle was towed. He snapped a photo of the tow truck's license plate.

Blue Christmas?

Linens N Things

They're going out of business and have some additional markdowns.

50% Off All:
Quilts, Coverlets, Duvets, Daybeds, Bedskirts

30% Off All:
Sheets, Bedding Ensembles, Furniture, Wall Decor, Lighting

Don't Stop Believin'

Today's big purchase = humidifier

The new place has a high-powered heat system, very unlike my chilly townhouse in Alexandria. I haven't found the right balance of heat level and open window. I have, however, found my face and nasal passages drying out. And I've been sneezing like crazy. Tonight my buddy Ela and I went shopping and found a nice humidifier.

Lucketts Groundhog in August

Mom and my sister are new fans of the Lucketts groundhog, so I'm posting this photo from August. Lucketts Groundhog has lots of outfits and good dental habits, unlike the stuffed groundhog Richard and I saw in Lexington, VA.

Popchips, $5 off

DT tells me that you can $5 off Popchips from Amazon.com is you use coupon code CHIPCLP5 (through 30 Nov 08).

Songs-in-head: Ghostbusters

I ain't 'fraid of no ghosts!

Lucketts Groundhog on Halloween

Richard suggested y'all might appreciate a photo of the Lucketts Groundhog in his Halloween costume. Actually, he suggested a Lucketts Groundhog Gallery.

I have a sneakin' suspicion I may have posted this photo already.

Moving update: Wall hangers

I tried out the wall hangers Hadley suggested. My framed photo hasn't fallen off the wall yet. It makes a big difference having something on the wall to hide all those cinder blocks!

Also, if I haven't given you my new contact info, let me know.

I'm working on a paper about this church, the Saint-Denis cathedral outside Paris.

Lucketts Store groundhog

Richard likes to shop at an antiques store near his house. The store has a stuffed groundhog (not a toy--this fella used to be alive) they dress up for holidays. Looks like the Lucketts groundhog is ready to hibernate. Red is definitely his color.