Merry Kissmas, Everyone!

I'm finally writing a baseball blog post.

The Yankees acquired Anthony Keitis (who Jere and I call Teixeira), CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. And to this I say: Big deal.

Teixeira is a fine player. Good numbers. Gold glove. But, lest we forget - the man plays first base. My grandmother could get a gold glove at first base (sorry if I am offending anyone here). That's where DH's go in NL parks. That's where tired short stops go. That's where they put Giambi, for heaven's sake. I actually like not having to give up Mike Lowell. I think another decent year could be squeezed out of the guy if he is healthy. Plus, I would like to see his famous hidden ball trick at long last! So, our infield stays in tact and I'm not upset about it (so long as they go with "Jed instead"). I'm also glad that Lucchino and Henry stood firm against Boras. Screw Scott Boras. I hate that guy. He is single-handily ruining baseball. Both Jere and I agree that it would have been nice to see Keitis go to Baltimore. That would have been a good lift for the birds. Plus, that's where he's from, anyway (Teixeira, not Anthony Keitis).

Truth be told, CC Sabathia is more than a little hefty. He's going to run out of steam. They've got him for 7 long years, too. They are going to have to put him on a diet. Actually, (out of the 3 newbies) he's probably the player who will make the most difference for them in terms of their chances of making the playoffs.

And A.J. Burnett doesn't scare me at all. It is very likely that he will wind up on the DL early/ often. He might be an A.J. Burden to some teams, but the Yankees can afford to sign Carl Pavanos like that.

I think we need to get a good number 4 starter (Sorry, Buchholz). And I'm not talking about getting Derek Lowe back. His sinker is nasty when he's got it. But when he doesn't, he cries on the mound. I don't want that. You don't want that. Nobody wants that. I like the guy ok. I enjoy being surprised by his height every time I see him in person, but that's about it. Also, when are we going to think about getting a back up for our number 5 starter? Wake is not going to fossilize on that mound or anything. He's going to weaken eventually and this could really be the year. We need 2 decent starters to back up Wake and Buchholz.

And I say we sign the Captain for a couple more years, then he and Wake can retire and become the new Dennis Eckersley and Louis Tiante. If Wakefield had a little kiosk on Yawkey way, what kind of food do you think he would sell? "Regular guy" cuisine. Whatever that it. Something totally non-adventurous. He could call it, "No Condiments" or something. His tag line could be: "How would you like a knuckle sandwich?"

We spent the last couple of days in Northampton, which was relaxing and fun, as always. I was disappointed to learn that they converted what I thought was a government building into an Urban Outfitters. I think I am officially done with UO now. This was the last straw. Especially since they are taking serious business away from Faces, which is an independent UO type of operation a few doors down. Not cool, UO!

The Celtics! The Celtics! The Celtics! 19 wins in a row! I am in awe. Can't wait for the Christmas match up with the Lakers. I hope Jack Nicholson cries in his eggnog. I'm sure he'll cancel whatever critical plans he has that day to be courtside for this one. What an a-hole that guy is.

Beauty Everywhere ...

Some photos from the park today ...

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas ...

Pics from the Weekend

If you are interested in Stella Marie happenings, visit my soapy blog to see some pics from a demo I conducted at Cambridge Naturals and the Shades of Winter Craft Fair in Taunton.

Stella Marie Holiday Craft Fair

If you are hoping to avoid the mall scene this weekend, I offer you a shameless plug for my side business, Stella Marie Soap Company. I will be selling my goods at the Taunton Art Association tonight and tomorrow afternoon (42 Williams Street, Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508-822-4513).

See attached flyer for the skinny (don't blame me for the typo).

Ashley Madison (dot)(com)

I have never really posted much about my ex on this blog. In fact, I'm not sure I ever have. That's because I have invested a great deal of work (therapy, writing and artwork) to come out on the other side of that failed relationship a stronger, healthier person. I am not going to go into all the details, but I will reveal a couple of small things (very small, in the scheme of it all). About a year before I left him, I discovered a woman's blouse in the laundry. A pretty, white top purchased from Anthropologie (a store that was situated across the street from the building he worked in). It was very petite. Even at my small size then (I am now a medium - *gasp*), I was unable to fit into it. The blouse came out of an overnight bag that he had taken on a recent business trip. In addition to this, a piece of poetry about another woman was found on the dining room table (I must admit, I had started snooping at this point and found it sandwiched between a bunch of other papers). As you can imagine, he denied any foul play. I tried for a year to convince myself that the blouse appeared out of thin air and took the poetry with it. Truth be told, I wasn't ready to shake up my life just yet. I don't think he denied the affair because he loved me that much or even cared about my feelings a great deal. I think he was simply terrified about how he might be perceived by others had they known that he - the golden boy - could indulge in something so unethical and low. He didn't want his reputation or that of his parents to be spoiled in any way. It was easier to lie to me, his family, some of his friends and eventually even himself about it. He was practiced at bending the truth, telling half truths and hiding information at this point, so his denying everything was his only known recourse. I have come to terms with the fact that he will never, ever admit to the affair.

The reason I trudge this all up? Ashley Madison (dot)(com) - a site whose purpose is to connect people interested in engaging in extramarital affairs. WTF? It's not a joke. It's totally real and it's totally fucking disgusting. I have no issues with players. Play all day, if you want to! But don't make any commitments!

[I have since been involved with a caring, gentle and trustworthy person who is responsible with my feelings. And I have learned just how important it is to trust the person I choose to be with. Looking back into the old relationship from the outside, I feel wiser and more secure from where I now sit. I just can't help but wonder how many people are being victimized by Ashley Madison right now and don't even know it.]