MerrinDonahue.com

I have an ongoing love affair with socks. I realize that this may seem shocking to most of you who know that the only shoes I wear are flip-flops, but at night, I love my socks. And not just any socks, either. My favorites are the super-soft chenille fuzzy socks. I can now happily report that I have found the PERFECT pair of socks. While we were killing time at Bed Bath and Beyond the other day, I came across these. Jammies are the most wonderful socks in the known universe: They are infused with aloe so your toes stay nice and soft, and the material is something that they should make sheets out of. I seriously could not stop feeling my socks. This was definitely the best $6 I’ve spent in quite a while

It’s the State of the Union Address tonight, and we all know what that means: The State of the Union Drinking Game!!! This year’s version includes old standards (“nukular”) as well as some new freshness (“earmarks” and “water-boarding”). If everything goes as it usually does, I should have a nice buzz after the first couple minutes.*

I’ve got the beer on ice and the Tylenol at the ready!

*Please drink responsibly. Don’t drink and drive.

Since I turned 18, I have rarely missed an opportunity to vote. I vote in just about every election, whether it’s city, state, or national. Traditionally, Kevin and I race each other to the polls on voting day (for those of you who don’t know, we have opposing political views, which tends to keep things in our house interesting, and it’s also the reason we rarely discuss politics together). This Tuesday is the Florida primary, so we went ahead and decided to go vote today. I LOVE to vote. I really honestly think it’s the thing that makes this country great.

I will never understand why some people can’t be bothered to get to the polls. Sure, I was raised in a vote-crazy family, so maybe that has something to do with my zeal. But really? If you’ve never voted, now’s the time to start. We’ve been following this year’s election since coverage began last Spring. We’ve rarely missed a debate, and we’ve done our research on just about every issue. Sure, Kevin and I vote entirely differently, but we both take the time to make sure we make the most informed decision possible. And we really enjoy exercising our right to have our voices count.

It’s easy to be cynical of the process. It’s easy to find fault in the system. But at the end of the day, I like knowing that if my guy (or girl) doesn’t end up winning, I have the right to complain. Because at least I got out there and cast my vote.

If you’re not registered to vote, do it now. If you don’t know who to vote for, check this out. Or this. Also, CNN has a really easy to follow recap here. Also, if you’re not really sure how the process works (and really, just what IS a superdelegate? What’s the difference between a caucus and a primary?), this is a really helpful breakdown. Now I don’t have to feel bad that I zoned out during Government class.

I’m really not trying to be preachy, but it feels good to know that I am lucky enough to live in a country where I have a voice. Get out there when it’s your turn. Fill in the oval, punch the candidate’s name, or if you’re lucky, use the touch-screen voting machines. Just go vote.

I’ve got a really bad case of Island Fever, and somehow, just looking at the pictures isn’t really doing it for me. I seriously need to get to Guana.

Once again our unsuspecting neighbor has come to our rescue. After a nasty little storm on Saturday night, we seem to have lost our internet connection. Endless fiddling with the modem did no good (side note: GOD I MISS FIOS!!!!), so Kevin called the guys to come out and take a look. Of course this means waiting three days until they can come out and fix it.

Fast forward to today…The cable guy showed up right after 3:00 this afternoon (the window was anywhere from 3-6). He took a look at the modem and said “I’m going outside to look at the cable. Be right back”. That was an hour and a half ago. His truck is still out front, so I know he’s out there, but seriously? Nothing? After 90 minutes? Bonus: It’s about to start raining, so I don’t think our little problem is going to be fixed anytime today.

So just to repeat: Mr. Linksys, I know you have no clue about securing your internet connection, and for that, we thank you!

One of the things Kevin gave me for Christmas was Guitar Hero III for the Wii. Initially, I feared that I would never get a chance to play it, since he seemed to be enjoying it so much. However…..I now have a full-fledged Guitar Hero addiction going on. Kevin and I sometimes play together in Co-op Career mode, but he always makes me play bass, since he thinks he’s better than me. Last night, however, I came out victorious in a head-to-head full on battle. I’m seriously good at this game. And I’m getting better.

Pretty soon I’ll be shredding songs on the Expert level…But for now, I’ve beaten the game on Easy, and I’m tearing it up in Medium. If you haven’t played Guitar Hero, I highly recommend it. Anybody can play, and it really does rock (as do I).

While looking at some pictures this weekend, my husband looked at me and said, “You haven’t aged AT ALL since our wedding”.
Since that was almost 8 years ago, I thought that was a pretty good compliment!

This is the funniest four minutes you’ll spend today.

If your precious little snowflakes ask for a pair of Heelys, please do NOT indulge them. These things are an incredible menace. I have been crashed into, mowed down, and run over by kids whose parents don’t control the use of their kids’ shoes. You wouldn’t let your little angels ride a bike inside your local Target, so why on earth would you let them wear the equivalent of roller skates indoors?

I have seriously had it with these shoes. If you’ve ever been the victim of a Heely-related crash, then you know what I’m talking about. And I honestly don’t know which is worse: the out of control kids, or the parents who turn a blind eye. The kids I’m talking about are old enough to know better than to race down the aisles of the grocery store knocking stuff of the shelves and people off of their feet.

So parents, don’t give into the fad. Do the rest of society a favor and keep your kids out of Heelys.

It seems that the FDA has decided that “most cloned meat is safe” for consumption. Is it just me, or does this seem like a really, REALLY bad idea? There is something about screwing with nature and then eating the results that just doesn’t work for me. And if “most” of it is safe, why isn’t ALL of it?

Don’t get me wrong: I support scientific research of all kinds. I even support stem-cell research. But when it costs $15k-$20k to clone a cow, I think that money should be spent on something else. Like Katrina relief. Or finding a cure for AIDS. And now that cloned cow’s offspring is gonna turn into my ribeye. Yeah, I don’t think I can get behind that.

You can expect the attack of the clones to hit your supermarket in 3-5 years.

Some of you may know that I got Kevin the chance to drive a NASCAR for Christmas. Well, today was the day, and I think it’s safe to say that he had a blast. Now, while I have absolutely no affinity whatsoever for NASCAR, I knew it was something that Kev would enjoy. Every once in a great while he gets a huge smile on his face, but only when something makes him truly happy deep down in his core. Today was one of those days. And while I really could care less about turning left, the best part of the whole experience for me was watching him.

One other super-cool thing about the experience today was the 80 year-old grandma that has wanted to drive a NASCAR for forever. Her kids and grandkids got together and surprised her this morning. They had shirts printed up that said “Go Granny Go”, they brought a birthday cake, and they cheered for her at the top of their lungs as she took to the track. Keep in mind that she had to crawl in through the window of the car…..which she did with no problem. That was one spry granny.

So, while I’ll probably never understand why some people wanna go fast, or fight with invisible fire (“help me Oprah! Help me Tom Cruise!), or only turn left, I sure was glad that my husband had a blast today. And Camille was right: sometimes the experience is the best gift of all.

I have a life-long addiction to ice cream. I am an ice cream junkie. I have never met an ice cream I didn’t like, and I have a special place in my heart for Haagen Dazs Mayan Chocolate. It’s dangerously good. One of the things I really REALLY wanted for Christmas was the Cuisinart ICE-20 ice cream maker, and my mother-in-law was happy to enable oblige me. I’ve made a few batches of various flavors so far, but today, I went for the Holy Grail of ice creamy goodness. As we speak, my own rendition of Mayan Chocolate is freezing in my whisper-quiet ice cream maker.

In other news, Wii Fit better hurry up and get released soon, otherwise my ass is gonna be the size of Montana.

UPDATE: It is officially delicious, and better than the original. Sadly, the clothes that have grown too big on me will start to fit again soon….

Brought to you via CNN:

A woman from Allen, TX is officially crazazy. Or maybe a little full of herself.

(Get it? Full of herself? I crack me up)

Click the image to embiggenate.

It’s no secret that I drink the Disney Kool-Aid. I love Disney World (hence the Annual Pass). I’ve ridden every ride at the Magic Kingdom. Several times. I love Space Mountain (who doesn’t), I can’t get enough of Big Thunder Mountain, and my favorite is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (sure, it’s not a thrill ride, but it does make for a nice respite from the crowds, and you get 10 minutes to sit down and get your feet up). Of all of the rides at the park, though, I have a special place in my heart for the Haunted Mansion. I can remember riding in my Doom Buggy with my mom when I was 7. I was scared out of my mind, but we had a blast by the time it was over. I love that the Haunted Mansion hasn’t ever really changed. Until now.

It seems that some people have become offended by the gently macabre humor that the hosts and hostesses use (i.e. “Drag your bodies to the dead center of the room”), and now Disney Imagineers are “re-imagineering” the scripts. I recognize the fact that I am a Disney purist (I still mourn the loss of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), but haven’t we regressed a little too much as a society if we have to re-script a 40-year old attraction because a couple of people complained? I recognize that Walt Disney’s intention was for his parks to stay fluid, and while I don’t buy into the whole “gift shop at the ride’s exit” concept, I understand it. I like that Disney let their Castmembers improv a little bit. And I get that they want to be consistent. But don’t try to fix what hasn’t been broken.

I told you I drank the Disney Kool-Aid.

We like to say that nothing ever changes with us, and at the core, that’s true. The things that matter stay the same. But here we are at the start of a new year, and I can’t help but think of the changes in our lives. This time last year, we were hanging with the Coopers, moving their couch into their living room via the window. We were patiently waiting for a referral from China. We had yet to experience the devastation of a miscarriage. We were looking forward to yet another beach getaway. We knew we would tailgate at the Buffet show in style. We would never have entertained even the idea of moving across the country. And yet.

All of the things that happened in 2007, both good and bad, brought us closer together than ever. We had some amazing highs over the course of the year, and those made the lows bearable. Instead of focusing on the negative, we celebrated the fact that I did manage to get pregnant, even if I didn’t stay that way. We did move across the country, and we’re actually happy about it (and let’s face it, being close to the Mouse’s House is a bonus for me). We had that beach getaway, and our Buffet tailgate was legend…..wait for it….ary.

We are incredibly lucky to have supportive friends and family. Who knows what 2008 will bring (although I certainly hope it brings us our daughter)? We’ve got another year to look forward to. More beach, more Buffet. Most importantly, more time to appreciate the blessings in our lives. And our blessings are myriad.

Happy New Year to you and yours, and may your year to come be as fulfilling as our years past.