Seismic Interactive & Design presents the 12 Days of Christmas

December 22, 2005

Thanks to everyone who visited the 12 Days of Christmas site this year! Be on the lookout for one more Seismogram before the end of the year announcing the winners of the Northbrook Country Club golf passes and the Exclusive Company gift certificate. Feliz Navidad! Joyeux Nöel! Frohe Weihnachten!

December 21, 2005

Dang it! “Mr Fix-it” fixed my stove.

Let the “BakeFestALooza” begin!

December 20, 2005

Surprisingly enough, I have all my Christmas shopping done. How that happened I’ll never know.

I am usually one of those crazies at the mall at the eleventh hour, trying desperately to hunt down that last “perfect” gift for my niece or nephew. Usually, it’s the one, non-existent toy that my sister-in-law sends me after. Instead, this year I’m gripping because all the stuff I ordered from Amazon.com hasn’t shown up yet, so I may still be hitting the mall on Friday.

Additionally, I am stuck with the fact that my oven is on the fritz right now. I haven’t started my annual “Holiday Bakefest”, and don’t know if that will be possible. Usually I make some cookies, fudge and toffee to give as small gifts my brothers, mom and in-laws. One year I made 9 Pecan pies. What was I thinking?

Secretly, I’m hoping “Mr. Fix-it” (no…not my husband) won’t be able to fix my oven so I can kick back on Friday and Saturday before all the family fun begins. I’m sure the relatives will understand and will enjoy the Holiday Slush (see day six) instead.

December 19, 2005

We’ve all been having lots of fun bringing you the 12 Days of Christmas and throwing ourselves into the holiday revelry thing. But I’d like to take a brief moment to ask you to consider helping out those less fortunate during this holiday season, if you haven’t already. There are so many opportunities from which to choose: donate a new toy to Toys for Tots, volunteer your time at the local soup kitchen or women’s shelter, keep an elderly neighbor or shut-in company (or shovel their sidewalk!), even donate some blood for the Red Cross. If you’re looking for a cause that really speaks to you, CharityNavigator can help you find the perfect place to give. There are so many ways to reach out to others — please share some of that holiday spirit!

This has been a public service announcement from Seismic Interactive & Design. Now, back to the 12 Days of Christmas!

December 16, 2005

It’s crunch time! No silly, not those crunches…although I will be doing plenty of those crunches after the holidays. Darn chocolate turtles!

I just realized “Holy cow! Christmas is next week!!!” It sneaks up on me like that every year. You’d think I would have learned by now! Next year, I’m going to follow my Aunt Alice’s example and start in August.

I don’t have to worry about holiday baking because I leave that to the professionals, (and boy are my relatives happy about that!) but I do need to get serious about my shopping. I haven’t had the time, what with all the Christmas specials to watch and the holiday parties. There just isn’t enough time in a day. I think I should consider a personal shopper. I’ll put that on my “To Do” list. Now where did I put my “To Do” list?

See you at the mall! Happy shopping everyone!

December 15, 2005

Dogs are so much better than cats. Now before all you cat lovers get all in a tizzy and start sending me nasty-grams, let me tell you why I think dogs are far superior.

Dogs can’t climb up my 10 foot fully decorated Christmas tree and cause it to come CRASHING to the floor. Years ago my cat Cujo decided to do just that. We lost 98% of our ornaments that year and learned a valuable lesson… attach the tree to the wall.

Dogs are also excellent “foot warmers” too.

December 14, 2005

Everyone has a favorite part of Christmas, whether it involves baking, visiting relatives, picking out the tree or watching beloved…TV shows. My favorite part of Christmas doesn’t happen anymore, but it still gets me all misty-eyed when I think about it.

Every Christmas Eve, right after my sister and I had finished our baths and were in our jammies and fuzzy slippers, my father would send one of us scampering into the basement to bring the book ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas up from the bookshelf. He’d get himself comfortable on the couch, and then we’d leap up and snuggle in beside him. I remember the book — a big colorful hardcovered book with large print. Even before we could read, we would follow along as my dad read the poem to us, his deep voice recounting the story of St. Nick’s nighttime visit for his two little girls.

My sister and I would follow along, rapturous. My favorite parts were when old Clement Clark Moore felt the spirit move him to greater literary heights. Even now, I can hear my father reading them aloud:

“The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below”

and

“As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky”

When I look back now on the poem, it was not easy reading — my sister and I weren’t quite sure what “lustre”, or “coursers” were, but they sounded cool when my father said them.

And when the last line was read, when St. Nick had wished “Happy Christmas (never Merry, I noted) to all, and to all a good night!”, he’d close the book, and we’d run to place our cookies for Santa on the special Christmas tree plate, used only once a year for that purpose. Then it was off to bed for two little girls with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads…

December 13, 2005

Move over Martha and Emeril. The best part of the holidays isn’t in the kitchen…it’s in the living room watching christmas specials!!

Who remembers Nestor the Long Eared Christmas Donkey? I’m probably dating myself, but that’s one of my favorites. I loved that show…made me cry every time! A close second is A Year Without Santa Claus. Yep, that’s the one with the Heat & Snow Mizers. Sing it with me, “I’m Mr. Heat Mizer, I’m Mister hundred and one….everything I touch, seems to melt in my clutch….I’m too much!!” Loved that one too!! (obviously) Of course, A Christmas Story is by far, best ever. What can I say about poor Ralphie?

So while you’re out shopping, or home cooking this weekend…hopefully I’ll be home curling up with my favorites…Nestor, Ralphie, Charlie and John!!

December 12, 2005

I need “do overs” on my Saturday because Friday evening was the company Christmas party. A good time was had by all. Needless to say, some had a better time than others.

My husband and I talked about getting an artificial tree. I started thumbing through the sales flyers in the Sunday paper, but decided that we aren’t ready for an artificial tree yet. I am by no means passing judgment on those with artificial trees. I just really like the smell of a freshly cut tree, just as much as I like the sound and smell of a real fire. Those are the things I hope my kids remember about the holidays around the Rudolph mansion. I hope they take on some of those “traditions” when it’s their turn.

Usually we do the “cut your own” thing. In the past, the kids would run around the trees playing hide and seek, screaming, beating each other, scaring away nice families. One of the more memorable tree cutting outings for my family was the year I had a sinus infection and was on some really good medication. I don’t really remember that day, but I guess I was quite agreeable.

This year the kids decided they were too cool for the tree-getting experience. Imagine that! So Rudy and I took on the task ourselves. We donned the appropriate tree-getting attire, and headed out into the forest (Tillmann’s) on the quest for the “Perfect Tree”. It didn’t take long before we found the “Perfect Tree”, hack-sawed it off at the base and set it up in the “Perfect Tree Stand”. And I am happy to report that the “Perfect Tree” is already decorated and ready for my presents. Feel free to put the really big ones on the right side to cover up the bare spot!

December 9, 2005

Despite the fact that the Seismic office has been practically buzzing with the Christmas spirit the last few weeks, I feel completely out of step with the season. The Binghams were on vacation the first two weeks of November and this has subsequently thrown my entire Christmas season out of whack! We managed to get our (fake) Christmas tree put up Thanksgiving weekend, although it didn’t get a proper decorating until a week later. As for the rest of it? Forget it! Christmas cards? Haven’t even printed out the address list yet! (Although they have been purchased — probably still sitting in their Target bag somewhere…) Christmas cookies? Haven’t even picked out any recipes yet! For my house, that’s a major crime, bordering on Christmas treason! (Tree-son?) Here’s hoping I manage to get Christmas presents in the mail before, oh, December 28th…

December 8, 2005

Move over Martha Stewart. There’s a new diva in da house!

Every year my husband goes up north the weekend after Thanksgiving. That is traditionally the weekend that I decorate the house for the holidays. Even the outside! And every year is the same…a complete failure. It’s not for my lack of trying. I’m just not very good at attaching things securely. One big gust of wind and whatever I “attached” is history.

This year I thought I would simplify things a little. I did my civic duty and bought 2 lovely wreaths from The Boy Scouts of America. I brought them home and attempted to fit the 12″ wreath over my 20″ lights on the garage. Curses…foiled again!

My neighbors across the street do an extraordinary job decorating their house. A huge tree in the front window with 2,750 white lights, 2 lighted, potted trees at the front door, and lights in the trees. So here’s my plan. I am going to cover my front windows with aluminum foil. The reflection from across the street will convince everyone that the Rudolphs have gone out of their way this year. Installation will be a snap and I can use this decoration for years to come.

December 7, 2005

Happy Holidays to all our Seismic friends! Best wishes in this hustle-and-bustle season of present-buying, party-going, card-writing and eggnog-swigging! (Look for some fun facts about everyone’s favorite holiday drink in the coming days…)