The Post About The Rabbit Reindeer Mix

I'm a firm believer that any good holiday requires a specific playlist. Thank you KT Tunstall for making "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" my Arbor Day Anthem.

So no surprise that Christmas needs a melody. Here's the mix arriving shortly in the mailboxes of some of my favorite people.

Present company likely excluded. Due solely to a lack of postal fundage.

1. The Chipmunk Song - I love kids who were adopted. Even if they are chipmunks.
2. O Come All Ye Faithful - "Come let us adore Him." Not a bad way to approach the hectic holidays.
3. Carol of the Bells - I always think of the Salvation Army volunteers who really are better people than me. "Good cheer to young and old."
4. O Come O Come Emmanuel - Hope came. And He's coming again.
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas - This is one of my Mom's favorites. So I kinda like it too.
6. Joy To The World - Mariah Carey really does have one of the best holiday albums. Ever. Despite looking like an prosti-elf on the cover.
7. Winter Snow - He could have come like a "roaring flood to wipe away the things we've scarred." He didn't.
8. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Best burglar stump ever. Thank you Macauley.
9. What Child Is This? - Andrea Bocelli, Mary J. Blige and a partridge in a pear tree.
10. O Holy Night - Oh Canada, merci pour Celine.
11. River - Christmas isn't always happy. Especially when you break up before the present exchange.
12. Come Thou Long Expected Jesus - "Born to set us free from fears..."
13. Christmas Time is Here - Charlie. Brown. Rocks.
14. Don't Save It All For Christmas Day - How great it would be to know love and to be love every day of the year. I'm good to make it to Sunday night.
15. Winter Song - Spring is just a season away.
16. Jesus Saves - He does.

So rabbit readers - what holiday songs make your tree skirt fly up?

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.46

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

One of the first books I pull out during the holiday season is The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry. As a quick refresher, it's the brief look at a husband and wife who go to great lengths to get the other a Christmas gift. If you're traumatized by which version of this masterpiece to snag, might I suggest the one you see above with awesome illustrations by Lisbeth Zwerger. It will be another ornament with which to decorate your home. Or book tree.

P.S. A great gift for that book lover you love.

Watch & Listen
I'm late to the Straight No Chaser game. My lovely coworker, Panda, sat me down in front of the YouTubers last week and in no time I was reveling in the a cappella goodness. They have a great new album, Christmas Cheers to get you in the mood for any and every holiday. Visit their website to hear my favorites - Christmas Can Can and the must-hear-to-believe Flo Rida Medley. But, of course, no version of the 12 Days of Christmas can beat the video above. None.

The Post About Bowling With Perseverance

I do not claim to be an athlete.

Even though I have the resting heart rate of one.

That may have something to do with my 2 hour reaction to watching So You Think You Can Dance each week. Because I do think I can.

But one sport that's always eluded me is this:

Note the shocked realization that the 6 pound ball has actually left my hand. Stare closely at my hand position which seems to indicate I pushed it overhand down the lane.

What was the result?


Then what was the result?

It's amazing what you can get a gal to do when she is uber-competitive.

I won that round against my coworkers with a 108.

Life lesson? Surround yourself with mediocrity.

And do more lunges so you can stand after post-strike break-dancing.

{images: Elaine Friel}

The Post About 10 {Graces} on Tuesday

I’m surely not alone this week in taking a deep breath and considering those things for which I am grateful.

Here are ten for 2009.

1. Microwave/Toaster Oven: It’s a hybrid. It provided for me when the gas company decided to halt my gaseous flow this summer simply because I didn’t mail them a check. They’re so particular.
2. J-O-B: First, I have one. Plus, it became even better with an itty bitty promotion and new view of the taco truck down the street that sings its siren song over me daily.
3. Sudafed: When I had the influenza, this purchase-behind-the-counter miracle was just that.
4. Kara and Caryann: My two besties are oddly fabulous. One is trying to raise two young special boys and the other is trying to romance one special boy.
5. Butter: Bakers kept telling me it is the Holy Grail. I finally decided to embrace the churned goodness. My coworkers are better for it.
6. Green Pom Pom Slippers: My gas company can try as they might, but I have these. I don’t need ya stinkin’ heat.
7. Mom & Dad: They’re kinda great. In that way where you get ginger ale when you’re sick and your new sink gets magically installed.
8. Recycled Bags: This was the year when I completely converted to keeping the earth a tad tidier. And ticking off every cashier at the less-than-tidy Mal-Wart.
9. Bugs, My Phone: I previously mocked those who cradled their iPhones close to their chest. Hi, my name is Jamie and I’m a cradler.
10. God: I poked at His chest a bit this year and He let me. Then He asked me where I was when He created Mount Everest and I calmed down.

Bonus Jonas? You. It’s so nice to write and have the occasional reader. Thank you for checking in and chasing a few rabbits with me…

So let’s hear it. What gets your thankful going?

{image: Jamie}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.45

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

I've got football on the brain. My favorite, the University of Alabama, is ranked #2 in the nation. They're two games away from playing in a national championship. Unfortunately, they must play the #1 team, Florida, in that final game. Too much talent in that darn SEC. If you too have downs and penalty flags flying, then I have the book for you. The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis is a brilliant outline of the left tackle - a quarterback's best defense in any game. But it's also the tale of one particular left tackle, Michael Oher, who was homeless living in the Memphis ghetto and found himself adopted by a loving family and courted by football teams across the country. P.S. It's also a movie, out this weekend.

Watch
I'm afraid I might find myself in a similar situation in a few years if I fall and land on my back. HOW ADORABLE IS THIS?

Listen

One of the first cassette tapes I ever bought at the tender age of 14 was Rhythm Nation 1814 by Janet Jackson. I would play Miss You Much when I would think of my middle school crush who'd just moved to Indiana. I'd fast forward to Black Cat when I was angry at the world and this song, Rhythm Nation, when I wanted to change it. And, of course, there was Escapade for those times when you wanted to be dancing down a dusty alley in a generic Middle Eastern town wearing a double breasted black suit.

The Post About Finding Forever Families: Adoption

I'm all about pulling some heartstrings today...


A 6-year-old little boy who found his forever home this year.

This weekend marks the 10th anniversary of National Adoption Day, a day of celebration of adoptive families and an opportunity for courts to open their doors and finalize the adoptions of children from foster care.

Tomorrow, more than 4,500 children who were without a family will now have a place to call home forever.



If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about adoption, you can visit Heart Gallery Alabama which highlights the children available not only in my great state, but can link you to children legally free for adoption across the country.

"There are no unwanted children, only unfound families."

{image: Heart Gallery Alabama}

The Post About a Mother of a Birthday

Not only is this a month of aging for myself, but my Mom hit her own milestone.

She's 60-years-young. I know she won't mind me divulging her age since she doesn't look a day over 45. Or is it 35? Mom - what was I supposed to say?

To celebrate, I copied an idea I've seen several places - 60 gifts.

I would be fibbing if I didn't share that wrapping all that bounty wasn't a bugger.


My Mom's a quilter from way back. She tried to pass on these skills to me. But I never understood the difference between a "bias" and any other word in the English language.


Sewing emergencies for me include hot glue or masking tape.


One memory I have growing up is listening to my Mom's albums. There was mad dancing to the Ray Coniff singers and B.J. Thomas. What?


It will be all raindrops falling on Santa's head this year.


I expect my Mom to use this Mr. Dramamama pen when doing all things administrative at her job. A promotion would soon follow.

Mom - I'm glad you were born.

{images: Jamie}
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P.S. Jamie's Rabbits now has a fun little Facebook Fan Page where all fans will be rewarded with special giveaways and bonus Rabbit chases... The first contest winner according to www.random.org was #20 - Rebecca Sitzes. She is the winner of a $15 Amazon gift card. Congrats!

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.44

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

Read

Chuck Lorre produces some funny television - including The Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Dharma & Greg, Cybill, and Grace Under Fire. As with most production companies, there's always a "vanity card" at the end of an episode with some sort of company logo. Starting with Dharma & Greg, Chuck Lorre started changing his vanity card with each new episode. You'd have to freeze frame it to catch the hilarity, but you can now visit his website and browse through the archives. One of my personal favorites is #243.

Watch

While I was on my deathbed last week, I watched an ENORMOUS amount of television, including TV found on the web. After 14 straight episodes of 30 Rock on Netflix Instant Viewing, I decided to see what Mr. Netflix would recommend. My rental history of petticoats and angst led to a suggestion of North & South. Not the US version of "hate vs. heritage", but the BBC delight. And I mean delight. It's probably the best British period piece I've ever watched. And as a Jane Austenaholic, that's saying a lot.

Listen

Carrie Underwood has always been one of the few country artists I've liked. Even when she's following the classic formula of bashing up her cheating boyfriend's car. She released a new album this week, Play On, and I love 70% of it. Particularly, Undo It and Someday When I Stop Loving You. This song is a lovely cover of Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home. Let the condemnation for the word "lovely" begin.

The Post About Making Over the Rabbits

I'm older.

Now I'm even older.

Time is rushing by me in a blur. Soon I'll begin to eat dinner before the sun sets and turn on my car blinker for absolutely no reason.

And I will resist all change.

So now's the time for change.

Jamie's Rabbits has a whole new look. One I sorta love. Especially since I'm not responsible.

Many thanks to Ellie and her crazy fabulous team of one at Rainy Day Templates who exfoliated and botoxed and spray tanned my home on the interwebs until it had the "boldness of a much younger woman" (...name that TV show FTW...).

So what do you think?

The Post About Influenza and How It Teaches

Illness had been slapping me around all weekend and I decided a doctor probably knew more than my friends - WebMD and Gregory House.

The diagnosis? Non-swine influenza.

Here's what I've learned from this bout of debilitating sickness:

1. Not breathing is annoying.The altitude difference between standing up and sitting down is the difference between breathing and not breathing. Ergo, sitting down is annoying.

2. People care more about how you sound when you're sick than how you feel. You can feel quasi-well, but if your coughs sound like a mack truck ramming through a barricade with gasoline spilling out, then your friends and coworkers are not interested in your RSVP. To anything.

3. Too much television can make you sicker. Yesterday, I watched a History Channel special on 2012 and its year of reckoning. I immediately started making my Y2K12 list. The Mayans don't play when it comes to math.

4. Flu shots are all about timing.

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.43

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

This is the only productive thing I've done this weekend due to debilitating sinus pressure and overwhelming fatigue and a throat that's declared MUTINY. I'm headed to the doctor in the morning where I'm anxious to hear the words "influenza" or "the plague." This is the Rabbit Recommends: INeedToWashMyHair Edition.

Read

When sick, there is only one go-to reading choice: magazines. My medicated brain can't process things like plot or character development. THE magazine fitting the bill better than any other is Entertainment Weekly. A subscription is worth the commitment if you like to read, watch, or listen - like me. Plus, there's The Bullseye, The Hit List, Stephen King, Diablo Cody (my long-lost sister) and Jeff Jensen (the Lost guru) to round out the awesomeness. Their online site will tide you over quite nicely the other 6 days of the week.

Watch

Cameron: [singing] "When Cameron was in Egypt's land... Let my Cameron go!"
I sang the harmony part of this lamentation as I rewatched one of the best movies ever made - Ferris Bueller's Day Off. I tend to love anything where an actor talks to the camera. As if they know that I know that they know I'm watching and need more details about what I just saw. John Hughes - rest in peace.

Listen

I don't tend to listen to music when I'm focused on getting both nostrils unstuffed at the same time. However, Plumb released a new album this week: Beautiful History - A Hits Collection and I found myself with every song on repeat. Her music often finds itself on soundtracks or remixed for some living room dancing. This song, Stranded, is my favorite.

The Post About Drunk Doctors and Birthing Rabbits

November 11, 12, 13.

These were the options presented to my Mom when considering my birth. Thirteen was bad luck, and she'd be busy celebrating her own birth on the 12th. Plus, 11/11 would be easy to remember into old age.

So plans were made.

But I did what I always do.

I line up the glasses. I obsess over the font. I fret over color coordination.

And I make the plans. I'm a planner.

So at 1:46am, November 5, 1975, I came into the world. Feet first.

The way a planner intends.

My brother's delivery doctor would eventually run for President of the United States. My delivery doctor was hung over from a party when he performed the C-section.

He was not a planner.

The Post About The Slutty Witch and The Cupcake

I heart Halloween.

It's a day of sweets and disguises.

And more sweets.

Here are three goodies I brought to the table.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese icing. I bamboozled my nieces and nephew by making some of them look like pumpkins.

This recipe comes to me via my delightful coworker "Risa." She baked and our staff inhaled. They are that good.

The recipe came to her via Mother Martha.

Postrabbit: "Risa" has an incredible blog called "While I'm Waiting..." about the journey of faith and infertility. When I read it, I stop complaining about how big my calves are for any Fall boots. Perspective.


Bakerella strikes again. This time I ventured out and tried to make Cake Pops look like actual "things."


Did someone say "Bakerella?" This was my first attempt at Cupcake Bites. They kicked my cupcake tuckus. But they were the perfect treat to hand out while I was dressed like this:


Food Network provided the war plans for this Cupcake Costume. However, the strategy was outlined for a 7-year-old. I am not shaped like a 7-year-old in a variety of ways, with two standing out in particular.

That's why my frosting is a bit "off."


Dilemma.

This costume prevented me from bending at the knee or waist. Sitting AND eating my traditional Halloween hot dog became a trial.

But God provided a slutty witch to meet my need.

{Images: Jamie (sweets) / Randy Anderson (cupcake & kitty) / Tammy Stringfellow (witch & cupcake).}

The Post About The Rabbit Recommends v.42

Each weekend, I post a readable, a watchable, and a listenable of which I'm fond. You can choose what happens next. Earlier volumes can be found here.

A friend mentioned yesterday that very few generations can compare to Generation X's love for its past. This is why you're now forced to watch movies about toys we played with as children. This is the Rad Rabbit Recommends: 80's Edition.

Read

Take a breath before you start spewing about how Star Wars started in the 70's. You're correct. However, wee Jamie wasn't old enough to appreciate the swagger of Han Solo until Return of The Jedi hit the screen in 1983. The Stormtroopers 365 photo diary by Stéfan is one of my favorite things on the internet. Especially when the troopers hit the beach.

Watch

Forgive this trailer its 80's origins by remembering the subject matter. One of my most fabulous movies of all time - Back To The Future. I use the phrase "flux capacitor" on a regular basis. I always think of the color purple when I see Calvin Klein ads. And I'm confident terrorists drive DeLoreans. Plus, my birthdate makes a crucial cameo. A wonderful reason to love a movie.

Listen

Michael Jackson. A must-include on any great 80's mix tape. And who doesn't need one of those in their hatchback. MJ can best be found on the album The Essential Michael Jackson.

So what would you be stoked to find in an 80's time capsule?