Things that have become me...

There are certain things that are certain peoples, like my grandmother's Zucchini bread recipe, my Mom's quilts, My sister in law's beading creations, my neighbor Phil's tamales. They are those things that you do mindlessly, the creation of them are part of you with you a HUGE part of it. Alex last night asked me where MY Cinnamon Bread was. When I answered that we were out, he asked me with carefully crafted and beguiling eyes if I could make some more. That will bring this week's total loaves to 6. I think this bread is mine.

I have friends who always ask for my chopped chicken salad when they see me or my pork medallions or scrapbook pages. Things that define/remind others or me, associations. they are comforting and never change. I love that.

I find it funny the things that I have tried to have associated with me. Like when Alex was a newborn I tried really hard to always wear some sort of body spray, so he would associate that smell with me. My mother's smell will always be Jean Nate, my great grandmothers will always be Chantilly. Lisa's smells will always be of Bath and Body Works sprays. Or panties, a thing not a smell.

Color too, we live in a heavily Blue household, I like it, it calms me, and it can be both feminine and masculine. But blue isn't the color that people think of for me. My neighbor's color is Purple, always will be purple in my mind. My Dad's color will always be Pepto Bismo Pink, because it choose it for my parents last bedroom in Cali.

Shoes, mine are always flip flops if at all possible, but for some reason my friend Misty says she only ever thinks of me in a pair of Simple sneaks that I have, I haven't even worn them in months. For me Kelly is my shoe and purse person, seriously that woman is a shoe and purse queen, I have a vivid memory of her buying the cutest pair of heels that had a small white leather flower on them. And her big old turpquoise purse that she bought with a gift card at Nordstrom's.

Casey's thing in my mind is Comedy Central, he loves that channel and it usually ends up on it most of the day when he is home. Comedy and late night laughter, like throw back your head kind of laughter, always in my mind with Casey. And Alex, well his is always Hot Wheels. ALWAYS.

Things...

Associations...

And Cinnamon Bread...

Wind it up

Okay, I have to come out and admit that I Like Gwen's New Song, Wind It Up. Seriously I do, it rocks in the car, and I love the little sing along yodle.

If anyone needs a gifty idea for Alex, I have a unique awesome one. UglyDolls We were talking tonight about the defense merit of his current stuffies, mostly build a bears. He was worried that they were not "scarey" enough. So I found these lovely, or should I say Uglies, and I think they are right up his alley. At $20 they are not bad to keep away the scaries. So help a kiddo out and send him an Ugly for Christmas. Boo!

Speaking of Christmas, I have one major gifty package in the mail. Another going out Monday. And two gifts ready to be wrapped. I am feeling behind and worried about presents this year, but them it hits me. They are all I have to worry about and really it's not a worry! *grin* We decided to do one gift for each adult from each adult, and then a couple gifts each for Alex. So really, I only have Alex gifts to tag team with Casey, and a couple adult gifts. WooHoo!

I am also trying REALLY hard to use up all this old IKEA wrapping paper we have had for YEARS. I am so sick and tired of it. So don't be surprised if your gift is prettier then the paper.