You love me! You really...oh, whatever.

I take compliments well. As I've said before, I've got a great self-esteem. It stems from the fact that growing up my parents always reminded me that I was the prettiest and smartest girl on the playground. And you know what? I was. Add in an ego problem and there you have it. But you know? I'd take an ego problem over a low self-esteem problem any day!

That being said, I've been blown away by the praise for "Eat, Drink, & Be Mary Douglass!" I mean, do this many people enjoy what I have to say?! This stuff has been coming out of my mouth for years and am pretty sure I was never so well received! My favorite is when it pops up in random conversation; especially when people other than myself bring it up. For example, my friend and fellow-Holiday-Market-slave, Margaret, has brought up various posts several times this week! Margaret, I'd like to personally thank you for reading ED&BMD! You are my favorite type of reader. The anonymous, slightly-stalkerish reader. The one who never comments, but occasionally brings the blog up during conversation. That's the best.

So, if you're one of my anonymous readers, here's a toast to you! I hope you eat and/or drink while reading my blog. I hope you laugh out loud, especially if you're by yourself. I hope you try to explain my blog to someone who hasn't read it and they look at you like you've lost your mind (and, if that happens: welcome. to. my. life.) I hope you continue to read my ramblings and encourage me to keep posting. And maybe you could do something really hilarious around me so I could blog about it later. Okay? That'd be great.

And now? A picture from Holiday Market Preview Party last night.

And, to answer a couple FAQ:

Yes, I have on faux eyelashes. Don't judge. Well, judge if they start falling off and they're only hanging on by a little on the end and I haven't quite realized it. Fortunately that did not happen at Preview Party. Or at least I didn't realize it. Same difference.

Yes, I am wearing neck-to-toe Zebra print. I'd like to think it's slimming. Maybe not; just don't tell me.

Yes, I had a side ponytail. If you call me Deb (as in, Deb from Napolean Dynamite), I will be offended. If you call me couture, I will love you forever.

I really do like Elizabeth (to my left). I just don't have my arm around her. I had to hold up my purse. It was carrying very important items; like my lipstick and blotting papers. Very Important! Also? She thinks my blog is funny. So I love her instantly.

Eating and Drinking,

Mary Douglass

Social Media? What about a social life??

Recently I toned down my Facebook page. As in, I deleted my albums, skimmed the excess off my profile and tried to untag several very unflattering pictures of myself (yeah, thanks to my so-called "friends" who think those pictures are hi-laarrr-ious!)

And it made me realize how much Facebook has changed! I got on Facebook pretty early on. Like when you had to have a school email address to be on it. And Presbyterian College wasn't even a registered school on it yet. And there was no "News Feed." So if you wanted stalk someone you had to religiously check their profile to see if they changed anything. Not that I did that...er, um. Whatever. I totally did that.

So I'd say the "News Feed" is pretty great. If it wasn't completely filled up with everyone's Farmville and Sorority Life games. What's with those? Really?? Facebook Games?? I'll be honest here. I don't really care if you found an ugly duckling in your strange little farm. I just want to see who's gotten engaged, who's posting wildly inappropiate pictures from a wild night out and who is posting on my wall.

But while I'm downsizing my Facebook, I'm expanding my social media. I tweet now. Yep, it's like mini-blog-posts all day. You can be my "Tweet friend." Or whatever it's called; I'm not really down with the lingo yet. My screenname (is it called a screenname? Or is that AIM??) is EatDrinkBeMaryD. Hit me up, yo. Or would that be the terminology for a pager? Huh.

And I blog. But I guess you already knew that, huh?

And I got a Blackberry. So I can do all of this on the go. Because that's exactly what I need to be doing. Whatever.

Eating and Drinking,

Mary Douglass

Fat & Rat!

I'm waiting here at the house for everyone to show up.

The Fourth went hunting and actually killed a deer! And a monster one, too! Considering how much time he spends hunting, I'm pretty happy he has something to show for it.

And our friends, Emily and Paul, are on their way over here for dinner -- wings and homemade raw fries! Yes, please!

Emily and Paul will be bringing their little doggies, Lola and Bella. Or, as I refer to them: Fat and Rat.

Introducing....Fat (aka Lola); English Bulldog:

And Rat (aka Bella), Toy Yorkie:

See why I nicknamed them what I did?? Paul always wanted a bulldog. Emily always wanted the tiniest Yorkie available. So, they got them both. The same week. Yes, really!

Well, with names like Lola and Bella I couldn't really keep them straight. So I just went with "Fat" and "Rat."

And what's really amazing is they started out about the same size. Well, that changed pretty quickly. Fat gained some serious weight...being a bulldog and all. Did you know they can't swim; at all?! Like, if you threw Fat in the water, she'd sink like a bowling ball. That sort of cracks me up in a weird way.

And since Rat is so very tiny, her organs aren't big enough (she's full grown. At 3 pounds!). So her tiny little esophagus collapses from time to time and she has this squeaky cough. Like someone trying to get your attention. Ahem, ahem....

So, I can't wait for everyone to arrive! I just hope my step-dog Bailey doesn't mistake Rat for a squirrel!

Eating and Drinking,

Mary Douglass

When they were just "wittle puppy-dogs!"

They are very good snugglers: