General Bits & Pieces and a Stolen MeMe

Another day closer to Christmas - what fun! There is a very good survey result in December's Readers' Digest (the Australian version) of what we Aussies think about Christmas. The top opinion was that, no matter the stresses, dysfunctional family members, quarrels and what-have-you, we would rather spend Christmas with our families and/or close friends.

Stands to reason though, doesn't it? If we didn't spend this one family-orientated day of the year with our families, who would we spend it with? Love 'em or hate 'em, families are the only ones that know and accept us warts and all - well, mostly.

Cooper came to visit yesterday, as he does every Thursday unless I'm working in the city. At almost six months old (hasn't the time whizzed by?), he is sitting up, crawling (in his fashion) and has one tooth. He has also realised he can make noises - and he certainly does! He squeals, growls, laughs and does the dadadadad, mumumum thing.

He is also fascinated with Oscar, who being a very hedonistic cat, goes and lies on Cooper's rug when it's laid out on the floor. Of course, Cooper think that's just great and clutches great handfuls of fur or an ear or a tail. Instead of moving out of the way, Oscar just lies there and mews pathetically so I have to pick him up and deposit him somewhere out of harm's way! No sense, that cat...

I went and visited Pea who has a Christmas MeMe on one of her posts, so I stole it. However, Pea had nicked it from someone who had probably nicked it from someone..

1.Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Champagne cocktail thanks. I like to get an early start.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree?
Oh definitely wrapped. Otherwise, where's the anticipation?

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Either/or, or both!

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
Do we have mistletoe in Queensland??

5. When do you put up your decorations?
Not until at least December.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Where to start...garlic prawns, fresh, chilled mangoes, cold sliced turkey and cranberry sauce...

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
As a six-year-old going to Carols by Candlelight on a lovely balmy evening and looking up and seeing all the stars and the Southern Cross. That memory has always remained with me and when I hear Hark the Herald Angels Sing it brings it back to me. I guess we were singing that hymn when I looked up at the stars.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I'm in denial.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Years ago my parents had a licenced restaurant and they roped me, my brothers and sundry cousins in to work on Christmas Day. So we had our Christmas on Christmas Eve (and felt a bit seedy the next day when we had to work!).

10. What kind of decorations are on your Christmas Tree?
I always remember the ones we had as kids. Beautiful glow in the dark angels. I have never seen them since and I have looked all over.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread?
Not applicable in the tropics

12. Can you ice skate?
Nope, but I can roller skate. Can't snow ski either, but I can water ski. Go figure...

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Classified information - giggle!

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Not going to work.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
Strawberry daiquiris - I only have drinkable desserts!

16 What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Sitting in the pool, sunglasses and hat on, drinking my dessert!

17. What tops your tree?
It used to be a big gold star.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving?
Both, of course!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Yep, have to go with "O Holy Night".

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yummy?
I can take them or leave them.