Mud Room...where everyone knows your name...

Well, I'm not sure if the Mud Room lady (her name is Erin, I think) knows my name, but she definitely knows who I am when I come in. She's trying to get a special bowl so that Jason and I can make a bowl to match the one that we made when I visited him at Ft. Sill. And she knows that Jason is in the military and that he is deployed and was very welcoming when we came in to make some Christmas presents.

One present we made was for Jason's mom, Ann. She collects teapots, so I thought it would be nice to paint a teapot. She decorates in Americana, so Jason thought it would be nice to paint it red, white and blue stripes. It started out simply. Jason would design it and paint the lid, and I would paint the big portions on the teapot. But no painting project with Jason is ever simple. Jason likes to put a lot of love and effort into the pieces he works on...so much love that I eventually had to take the teapot away from Mr. Perfectionist so we could leave the Mud Room.

Ice skating at Crown Center

After checking out some stores on the Plaza, we went ice skating at Crown Center. Jason had never been ice skating before and was very scared that he would fall. He didn't fear the impact of his bum hitting the ice; he was afraid that someone would skate across his fingers while he was down and slice them off. I assured him that would not happen.

We got on the ice right after they resurfaced it. Jason refused to hold my hand because he didn't want me to take him down with me if I fell and quickly warmed to ice skating, leaving me to hug the wall alone. Mr. I've-Never-Been-Ice-Skating apparently grew up on rollerblades and was skating circles around me, literally, dodging tottering children and wobbly adults. My "ice legs" came slowly, and upon proving myself, Jason joined me for a few passes around the rink. By the time the great Zamboni appeared again I was ready to call it a day.

We played around on the wooden objects before we left. There were tons of people out, so we had to wait our turn like good kids, which was hard because neither one of us is incredibly patient.

Thanksgiving night on the Plaza

I tricked Jason into going down to the lighting ceremony a little early...and by "a little" I mean a whole hour, even though it only took five to 10 minutes to walk there from the hotel. It would not have been necessary to use such trickery to get Flat Jason to the ceremony; he would have gone willingly. However, the Real Jason is a much more complex character, one who does not enjoy waiting or large crowds. Bribes of money and food work best...

No, Jason was a good sport. We had a pretty good view from the far left and largely avoided being crushed by the monsterous crowd. We walked around and looked at the lights after American Idol winner David Cook and his niece flipped the switch.

Then we headed to McCormick and Schmick's for Thanksgiving dinner. Jason feasted on his beloved turkey while I enjoyed prime rib. And while it seemed quite odd not arguing with cousins about whether they should be allowed to sit at the adult table (ahem...Steve) or avoiding people spooning on the couch (shall remain nameless to avoid awkwardness at family events), it was rather nice to spend the holiday together as a couple. We are our own family.

Thanksgiving Day on the Plaza

Jason got bored of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade long before Santa appeared (I know what you're thinking, but yes, he really is American.), so we headed down to the empty (and seemingly closed) Country Club Plaza. We finally located an open coffee shop, Scooter's Coffeehouse, and grabbed some java to enhance our window-shopping experience.


Later, we caught the new James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. Nothing better than watching 007 next to my own blond hunk!

Really thankful this Thanksgiving

It was a crazy busy day that I thought would NEVER come, but at 5:30, I picked up my real husband at the Kansas City International Airport, full of plans for a mini Thanksgiving vacation on the Plaza and spending the rest of Jason's 10-leave in CoMo.

Too bad Flat Jason doesn't get to tag along...hope he enjoys the closet...

Victory was within my grasp...

...and then snatched from under my nose!

In the first game, I was ahead until the last frame. Then, Brian decided he should try to get a turkey...in the last frame. In the last frame, Brian decided he would bowl a turkey. He would have done it, too, if it were not for one obstanant pin. He only failed by one pin, but it was enough to take the game.

Then, Nate decided to steal the next game. Perhaps not as impressively as Brian did, but he stole it nonetheless. And in the last frame, too. BAH! Twice in one day...I was crushed and so was Flat Jason.

Two good things of the night: I significantly broke 100 in each game, and Flat Jason and I ran into Ted from high school.

4-H Day at Arrowhead

We headed to Kansas City on Nov. 23 for 4-H Day at Arrowhead Stadium. Neither Flat Jason nor I had ever been to a pro football game before, but FJ wasn't impressed. He opted to stay in the car, something about playing sports being more fun than watching.

But I was pumped! I even wore my fuzzy red socks in support of the Chiefs. I ran around during the game trying to locate 4-H members and their families for photos. I got to meet a lot of neat people and had a pretty good time, considering how cold and windy it was.

The Chiefs ended up losing to the Buffalo Bills, 54-31.