en route

One of the things I do in life is to help with my church's contemporary worship service once each month. This consists partly of running the computer/projector during the service, and sometimes helping setup the slides.

This causes me to do searches of images on google using somewhat obscure - or at least unusual - search terms. And sometimes I find things that just tickle my fancy. This week the theme is the popular and unpopular Gospel of Jesus, and I was sent some slides of "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" which sent me to search for "two thumbs up" on the google.

I came across the following - which amused me (and the way this week is going, I can use some amusement -- I figure you might use some also). (note to self -- sometime when you're stuck for something to be grateful for -- remember those thumbs.)

But the bottom line is .... feed me

Today I'm grateful for

Alto 2

Whodathunkit. 11 years ago a lot of women were pregnant. Many of them had due dates in August, and we found each other on the Internet. Whodathunkit then that a group of us would form strong long lasting friendships. It's amazing. In this group different people bring different things to the table, and Alto2 brings a lot.

1. She has a gift for words. Now, personally I have some of that Irish "gift of gab" and can chatter and make small talk in person. But Alto2 has a gift of the written word (which is something I can't master, no matter how much I use the Little Brown Handbook or Strunk & White's) .
2. Alto2 is "up" on etiquette. Again, one of the things I have not mastered. I think I get on pretty well in life anyway :} but there are times you need to know the "proper" way to do things, and it's wonderful to have a resource (that doesn't involve a lot of googling - just a quick email).
3. Unlike myself (I can't seem to get this stuff by osmosis) Alto2 has, in fact, managed to learn a thing or two about wine, and when we have our annual reunion dinner, you can count on her picking something fabulous that we can share.
4. Generally, she has a lot of knowledge, and a lot of resources, and if she considers you a friend she will share endlessly. (But if you read her blog, you'll realize that you really don't want to be on her bad side -- she shared the other day about how she felt about her OBs partner).
5. She doesn't hold back on ideas. She gave a great idea on our attempt to sell our business. Like DUH I never thunk. I guess that's why I have friends.
6. The self proclaimed "Queen of Tarts" is a good cook (obviously if someone can feed me, they earn my gratitude). When our group went to Florida she put on quite the spread for all of us.
7. She has a website called The Need to Feed where she posts recipes. A while back she had a request (from some mom that rambles about minivans) for more crock pot recipes. Last night my family was lovingly fed Chicken Cacciatore which was downright YUMMY (after the prep time).

So, I guess looking at the bottom line, if you feed me I'll love you. I now tag anyone willing to accept to post some more crock pot recipes. I'm hoping that Cooking is Love steps up -- she's good some great food ideas.

Prep time

So this morning I made dinner in the crockpot (yeah Crem I know I know but you're preaching to the choir here). Alto2's Chicken Cacciatore.

I got to thinking about prep time. Typically, especially in "fix it fast" type cookbooks they list preparation time ...

never, of course, taking my lifestyle into account.

1. Ask Spouse if he can get the kids off to school
2. Get out crockpot.
3. Wash crockpot as Spouse didn't do a good job last time it was washed.
4. Yell at Chip to get his shoes on and let the dog out.
5. Put presliced mushrooms into crockpot.
6. slice onions and put in crockpot.
7. Look for can openen.
8. Find can opener in a drawer - but not the one it belongs in. (Housework done incorrectly still blesses your family -- yeah right flylady).
9. Tell Spouse he needs to go to the store to get garlic.
10. Put plum tomatoes in crockpot. Get mental release by crushing the poor innocent tomatoes in my hand.
11. Add basil, oregano, and fennel spices to crockpot.
12. Remind Spouse to make Chip's lunch.
13. Help princess snap her jeans.
14. Go to get chicken from downstairs fridge.
15. Start a load of laundry as long as I'm in the basement.
16. Look for kitchen shears - which are not in their assigned place.
17. Rip open chicken
18. Spouse is yelling at Princess to get her shoes on, go to look for Princess' shoes, and find them -- on her feet.
19. Yell at Chip to let the dog out before he poops in the crate.
20. Season chicken with salt & pepper.
21. Add chicken broth to crockpot.
22. Say goodbye to family as they leave.
23. Check recipe (which was upstairs the entire time)
24. Call Spouse and tell him to pick up some tomato sauce while he's at the store.
25. Argue with spouse while looking for tomato sauce because he insists there is some in the house, and I insist there is not.
26. Find pizza sauce, marinara sauce, tomato paste, and black beans.
27. Realize I never made my lunch, figure "forget it I'll go to the Jewish deli"
28. Leave for work late.
29. Get to work and find out the person I needed to meet with never showed up.

Cee Cee

When I was very young, I could not pronounce my sister's name, so I called her CeeCee (I'm not sure how that was spelled Cee Cee, SeaSea, C.C. -- heck I was like 3 or something).

Today I'm grateful for

CeeCee.

My sister is a bit older than me (and I'll never let her forget that simple fact). And she's a whole lot smarter than me (and, when we were in school, the nuns would never let me forget that fact.)

1. My sister has a sense of flare and style and color that I will never have. On the day that the fashion genes were being handed out, I don't know where I was. There have been times when my sister has helped me out with wardrobe, makeup, etc. But I really plan to use this quality when it comes to Princess. Princess adores Auntie CeeCee, and the feeling is mutual. I'm sure there will come a time in my daughter's life when she needs guidance in things like fashion and makeup and all that girlie stuff. I'll be glad CeeCee is around, cause I won't be much use to Princess.


2. I like wine, I really do, but I don't know squat about wine. CeeCee is a wine connoisseur (wine snob?? drunk??) She's actually going so far as to start taking Sommelier classes. I'm amazed at how wicked hard those classes are. You need to sip some wine and tell what altitude of what side of what mountain in France the grapes were taken from or something like that. Next time Spouse takes me to an upscale restaurant I'll respect the Sommelier more, and tip him (or her) well (note, we've been married since 93 -- I think we've been to one restaurant that had a Sommelier). Even though sis is a wine snob, she doesn't treat me like a wine idiot, but she does try to guide me in trying to figure out not only what I like, but why I like it. Maybe someday I'll even understand what the difference is between an "oak" and "berry" nose.


3. I know that as long as sis is around, if it all falls apart I have a place to go. Not that that will happen but it's nice to have that insurance policy. It'll come in handy after my spouse kicks me out on the street after I shoot him for snoring.


4. CeeCee is a wicked good cook. I mean absolutely fabulously awesome. I grant if you ever end up at her house for dinner, you will eat really really yummy food. I try to be a good cook, but I am a humble Padawan comparatively.


5. She keeps the family together. I love my brother dearly, and he loves me, but neither my brother or I are likely to remember to call each other and get together.


6. I'm lucky to have family I get along with that is not insane

Happy Birthday sis.

Okay I'm it

Okay Alto2 has set the challenge to find 5 things I like about my body or myself. I figure this can double as a tag and a gratitude.

1. I mentioned it once but I can repeat it (cause 5 will be a stretch) I like my hair. It's always been healthy and a good color and hasn't yet started showing much gray (knock wood)


(I added woody -- not because my hair is red -- though it used to be -- but because he's knocking on wood)





2. I also happen to like the color of my eyes.

3. I like my feet, they get me from place to place and while I certainly give them a lot to bear, I also spoil them by buying them comfy shoes.

4. I think I have a great phone voice. Especially when I'm talking to people I don't know. I'd be great at customer service (or other phone oriented jobs :}).

5. I hate hate hate to pluck eyebrows -- my hair color also lends way to very light color facial and body hair -- this does have its advantages.

6. I was having trouble coming up with 5. If I couldn't come up with 5 then I was going to add that I'm modest - but maybe I can't add that now???

For all you do

Today (and after thinking about sweet hitch-a-hiker) I'm grateful for

All the people that do animal rescue. There are tons of them in all sorts of cities and towns. Crem's neighbor fosters dogs for Rover Rescue Rover Rescue, my dear friend Rose who runs The Critter Corral a guinea pig rescue, and all the others that give their time, talents, and energies to those that have no voices.

I'm sure most of you are familiar with The Rainbow Bridge. It's the place where animals that have died go and hang out and wait for their owners, so they can cross together into heaven. Somwhere along the way I ran across this interesting twist on the tale ...

The young pup and the older dog lay on shaded sweet grass watching the reunions. Sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes a whole family would approach The Rainbow Bridge, be greeted by their loving pets, and cross the Bridge together.The young pup playfully nipped at the older one. "Look! Something wonderful is happening!" The older dog stood up and barked, "Quickly! Get over to the path!""But that's not my owner," whined the pup, but he did as he was told. Thousands of pets surged forward as a figure in white walked on the path toward the Bridge. As the glowing figure passed each animal, that animal bowed its head in love and respect. The figure finally approached the Bridge and was met by a menagerie of joyous animals. Together, they all walked over the Bridge and disappeared. The young pup was still in awe. "Was that an angel?" He whispered. "No son," the older dog replied, "that was more than an angel... That was a person who worked rescue."

When I think about the Rainbow Bridge, at least from the perspective of a cat, I think about a song by Garrison Keillor. I can't find the lyrics online (amazing) so let's see what I can remember

On an afternoon in the month of June
a wistful cat sat sighing
For her owners were not good to her,
a cousin of the lion.
On her plate was glued some dried up food
she cared not to examine
and as she wept she sat and dreamt
of the land of milk & salmon

Oh there's fresh catfish in a china dish
and the cream flows from a fountain
On the high plateau where the catnip grows
out in the catskill mountains

Out in the catskill mountains
fresh tuna just appears
and people beg you for the chance
to scratch behind your ears
A cat can lie flat on its back and never be ambitious
and the grass is sweet beneath your feet
and the houseplants are delicious

Out in the catskill mountains
the land of the big feedtrough
the couches are all comfortable and
no one kicks you off
the dogs are taught to
honor cats and beautiful and holy
and the birds are found right on the ground
and the mice run very slowly

(Hmmm I guess this can go under gratitude -- but also dreams because that to me sounds like what a cat would dream of)

sweet hitch-a-hiker

Maybe we can post it on Craigslist?

Sweet quiet girl offers companionship for transportation from Toronto to LA.

From the Toronto Wildlife Centre

Back Home

A surprise stowaway from California

On Jan. 5th, Toronto Wildlife Centre received a call about a shipment which had arrived at a company in Mississauga (just west of Toronto). It seems a surprise guest had made the trip to Canada from sunny southern California! Much to the shock of staff who were unloading the truck, a Striped Skunk had tentatively poked her nose out of some pvc piping which was part of the delivery from Torrance (south of Los Angeles). After some detective work, the story of what happened seemed clear… The pvc piping had been stored outside, in an area where skunks were frequently seen. The skunk must have gone into the piping, curled up and fell asleep for the day. But that day the piping was loaded onto a truck and taken to a company in Sante Fe Springs, California, where it was transferred to another truck inside a closed warehouse. That truck then left for Canada, a seven day journey during which the skunk went undetected. After traveling from Torrance to Sante Fe Springs, California, the skunk then went on to Port Huron, Michigan where the truck crossed the border and cleared customs with no trouble. Her voyage continued to Sarnia, Ontario, then on to the warehouse facility in Mississauga, where she was finally discovered. Once the skunk arrived at Toronto Wildlife Centre, she was assessed and determined to be dehydrated and a bit thin. There was some damage to the skin on the back of her neck, but it wasn’t very serious. She was in fairly good health, considering her ordeal. But now the little traveler must be returned to her home territory in California to be released. In addition to it being illegal for her to be let out into the wild so far away, she would be unlikely to survive it. Skunks are very territorial so if she were to be released here into suitable skunk habitat, there would already be skunks living there. They would not take to a stranger in their area very kindly and terrible fights would result. She needs to go back to the area where she belongs. We are appealing for help in getting her back to California. Airlines, which typically transport animals for us in these types of situations, are not able to help this time because of the risk that she may spray inside the closed aircraft. We are looking for a courier company, transport company, kindly individual making a road trip, etc., to give the skunk a lift home. Toronto Wildlife Centre would arrange the necessary permits, make arrangements for her care along the way, and organize her release in Torrance. Please call Toronto Wildlife Centre’s Wildlife Hotline at 416.631.0662 if you think you can help. Thank you!

I wonder if Univ. Toronto has a ride board???

more on dreamers and gratitude

Alto2 asked if my gratitude thread has come from watching Oprah or something.

Actually I haven't watched much TV of my own choosing in over a year. One day I figured that it would take me forever to catch up on my videotapes, so I gave it up. About the only TV I've seen lately is whatever someone else in the family happens to be watching, and I'm usually not paying much attention (the computer and TV are in the same room). (Basically I know about O'Reilly and Power Rangers).

I guess the idea of showing gratitude has always been one of those things I thought "yeah, I outta do that one of these days" and with a new year and relatively new blog, it seemed the time. I'm really impressed that I've done one for each day of the year to date, and we'll have to see if this becomes a habit. Some days I feel like I'm hit with a flash of inspiration (Dreamers), other days I'm just pushing to get something out. I think it's a good exercise for me, and if some people enjoy it GREAT and if a few people emulate me, not necessarily by gratitude blogs but just by calling a buddy and saying "thanks for the help," well then so much the better. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

I think having a public blog helps, because I know that the people that I mention will actually have a chance to read what I've said about them. For instance, M.B. who I mentioned in http://rambling-mom.blogspot.com/2007/01/today-mb-ndots.html was someone I always thought "I should send him a note of appreciation or something" but never got "a round tuit."

Today I was listening to the Joseph soundtrack. There is a part where the brothers get jealous of Joseph, they don't like what he has to say, and they sing "one thing we are sure about the dreamer has to go." I realized how many times in history that general feeling has been repeated.

Next time we're confronted with a great dreamer, instead of killing him (or her) why don't we just lock them up with some Elvis impersonators until we realize that "they're right all along."

Like they was sayin

Today I'm grateful for ........

quotation databases.

Dream a little dream

Today I'm grateful for

Dreamers.

Those that look at the world, not as it is, but as it could be. Sometimes they even manage to carry us along with them.

Some people get in trouble for their dreams ...

(Poor poor Joseph dreamed of a coat and was a victim of attempted fraticide.)

Some dreamers can only find one or two people to follow their dream ...

(Okay - but he was running after windmills. I've done that at times.)

Some that are not even human manage to get an entire company to join them in their dream.

But, so far we're talking fiction. (Okay - maybe a few bible literalists might say the entire story of Joseph is completely true - but face it they're not likely reading this blog).

Some people, very few people, can have powerful dreams and have millions dream along with them.

It's been a long time, and we've come a long way, but not quite far enough.

We need men who can dream of things that never were.

- John F. Kennedy

So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.

- Christopher Reeve

Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.'

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.

- L. Ron Hubbard, Science of Survival

There are those who look at things the way they are and ask why ... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.

- Bobby Kennedy

What's your dream?? What's mine??

Call me yuppie snob

Today I'm grateful for .......

bottled water.

In my office, we have a water cooler with Ice Mountain. At home I have a Britta water filter. Often when it's on sale I'll buy a 24 pack of bottled water. My favorites are

Dasani
Ice Mountain
Aquafina.

I do not like Dannon.

Now, I know some (many) people that say that it's just water and all water is the same. Well maybe and that's fine (and cheaper) for them if they think so. Personally I don't agree. I happened to grow up in the Chicago area (and live here) and I can tell you that the water gets a certain -- scent :} in the summer. So I'm glad for the bottled water, and I drink it even when I'm not in a different country.

I figure that when I compare the amount of money I spend on bottled water to what the rest of my family spends on soda (which instead of having no nutritional value actually has a negative nutritional value).

And not only am I grateful for bottled water, I'm also grateful that I'm caught up and now only have to worry about one a day.

Still being ungrateful

Okay -- if I don't do two today, then I'll just write off Thursday as an ungrateful day.

Today I'm grateful for

Space heaters.

I work in a retail type building in a strip mall. I rarely see the sun, and the ceiling is way too high. Somedays this place seem to not be able to warm up. A couple of years ago I bought my bookkeeper/manager/goto gal and myself small portable space heaters.

It gets me through the day, and I don't have to warm up the entire 1300 sq. ft. if i'm sitting here alone at my little desk.

And there are days honey - oh there are days I need the extra heat.

Hopefully I can come up with something later.

Ungrateful???

I noticed I didn't do a post on what I'm grateful for for yesterday, so I guess I'll have to come up with two today.

And I have at least one.

I am grateful for ...

Domino's Pizza.

Okay, so go figure -- pizza. Well, let me explain. I own and run a tax business, so the time frame between Jan. and Apr. I spend a *LOT* of time at and near work. I mean a lot of time. In my strip mall is a Domino's pizza. Close enough that unless it's below zero I don't need to toss on a coat to go there.

Their pizza is not the greatest, the other dishes (wings, buffalo kickers) are passable, the sweets, well I'll admit to having a particular weakness for the cinnamon sticks.

But all in all, the convenience factor tops the charts.

So - between Jan. and Apr. I know I can count on having more than my share of Domino's pizza.

And between May and Dec., well heck I live in the Chicago area -- I can find *GOOD* pizza then

Life's lessons

We all have a concept of what "school" is -- it's where we go and learn and get educated. Well, education comes from many sources other than school. Sometimes I like to use quotes, I have a couple of links on my google home page, and I'll find some of the most obscure things. (Hmmm maybe I can start adding quote lines to my blog -- I hope my dear readers wouldn't get mad if the quote did not necessarily go with the entry.

Once in a while though - I can come up with a zinger myself.

This week's (month's? year's? geez I hope it doesn't take that long for me to say something pithy) winner

The school of hard knocks has a very high tuition.
-- Mary Allison Wu

Also found, when looking to see if I had manage to use a quote that I remembered from somewhere (instead of having an original idea)

The school of hard knocks is an accelerated curriculum.
Menander (342 BC - 292 BC)

Guess the esteemed institution of the "school of hard knocks" has been around for a LONG time.

Things you might not know

Following along the tag of Alto2 and Sock Girl ....

5 things you might not know about me.

1) I don't color my hair -- never have. I've always felt lucky that I like the color. Let's hope it stays that way as I age.

2) I run cold. I always feel like I can't get warm enough - no matter how many layers I stick on.

3) I'm trying to grow my hair out to 10 inches for Locks of Love. I can't seem to get past about 7-8 inches.

4) My dream is to spend some quality time with a Saint. Preferably in February, preferably on a nude beach. (I'm thinking St. Lucia, St. Bart, you know -- one of THOSE Sts.)

5) Either I'm incredibly boring, and have nothing else to share, or I'm planning to run for office and want to keep my skeltons buried cause there is no number 5.

Gals are pals

Today I'm grateful for ...

mll at Are We There Yet. I've met her a few times and she's a great lady.

We've roomed together at our moms group reunion and she's fun to chat with (but she's not a late night person.

She has a good head on her shoulder -- especially when it comes to this entire mom gig.

She's very open -- a refreshingly honest person.

I've had to travel to near her town on business a couple of times, and while there I've had to hang out with TAX people. It's refreshing to be able to spend some time away from the tax (work) folks and hang out with real people (and I love the restaurant we met at last time).

But MOSTLY today (actually yesterday) I was grateful because she is one of the queens of the Internet bargain.

A week or so ago Coldwater Creek was having a sale -- if you looked at their website they said "60% off everything" but a woman from my mom's group pointed out that actually it was 70% off, and mll gave us the secret code.

The day before yesterday the big box arrived.

Yesterday I went out to lunch and there was an accident requiring me to run home and change clothes before going back to work.

Ah yes -- I was appreciating mll at that point in time. (Share a room - saves me money -- points out sales - saves me money)

See, now you know what it takes to win my gratitude. It's not "show me the money, honey" it's "save me the money, honey."

The finer things in life.

Yesterday I mentioned lobster (just in passing) so today I'll go to the other end of the food spectrum.

Today I'm grateful for ...

Hot dogs -- not just hot dogs but CHICAGO style hot dogs. A hot dog with a salad on top. The following is from Wikipedia ...

A Chicago-style hot dog– as served in the U.S. city of Chicago, Illinois and its surrounding suburbs– is a steamed or boiled all-beef, natural-casing hot dog on a poppy seed bun. It is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt[1]; but not ketchup.

NEVER ketchup. Now, unlike the picture above, I like to place my sport peppers at each end of the bun, so I don't inadvertently chomp into both at once.

Mind you I don't mind an occasional Cincinnati style (chili and cheese), and New York is fine (sauerkraut and mustard - after a dirty water bath).

And I LOVE a Maxwell Street Polish (polish sausage, mustard, and grilled onions -- YUM) but not on days when you I to interact with lots of folk.

Sometimes, the best things in life are *not necessarily* what some would consider the "finer" things in life.

[DARN -- it's my friend's birthday today and I'm taking her to lunch -- since it's the beginning of the season and I've got new people working for me I'll be at a favorite place very close to my office -- but it's CHINESE. Guess at least I know what's for lunch tomorrow. ]

Crem de la Creme

If you know my latest theme (gratitude), and if you've known me a while you knew this was coming sooner or later

Today I'm grateful for ...

Crem - my best friend (and pseudo kid brother)

Crem is one of those kind of friends that everyone needs, and hopefully a lot of us have. One of those people that you can text, email, or call anytime with any issue, large or small. And, like a "true" friend (as opposed to an agreeable pal) he tells it like it is, and not how I want to hear it (which I complain about to no end but I still keep going there so I do know the value).

Some of the things I appreciate (with expanded explanations below)

1) He knows how to, and is willing to fix things.*

2) Of all our friends, he's the only one that drives a pickup truck.**

3) He has power tools.***

4) He'll babysit. For FREE****

5) He'll let me vent, and he'll tell me when I'm off base about it.*****

There are things in this world that go together (chicken broth and noodles) (ice cream and chocolate :} ) (must be lunchtime) and things in this world that seem incompatible. When I look at Crem, and I look at myself, I think "what the"?? Okay - I've gotten over the fact that he was born with an unfortunate chromosomal abnormality (he's got one of those "y" chromosome things -- poor kid), and he's a bit younger but when you hit the "adult" years that's not so important. But then he's single and doesn't have kids. I sometimes think "we have nothing in common."

But then I take a moment and look past all that at the really important things.
A) He can FIX things (unlike Spouse or myself) B) He has a pickup (the only person we know that does) c) He has POWER TOOLS!!! D) He appreciates a well poured Guinness

And when you get there, you just stop looking further.


* It's a fact, I'm really really GOOD at taking things apart. Hand me a screwdriver or two and I'll get anything into pieces. Some of my readers were with me the last time I had lobster -- you know I got all that I needed out of that shell. I'm not, however, the best "putter togetherer" in the world. And Spouse -- while not incompetent he's NO Norm Abrams.

** We all know how important the "friend with the truck" is -- I have told him that I don't just love him for his truck, but the value of the truck was noted the day that, at 10:00 at night, we're sitting grabbing a VERY LATE dinner near an Ikea before driving home in the snow. Yeah - a lot of buds will help you out with deliveries - but late at night - in January - in the snow. And THEN he helps bring the king size mattress in and drag it up the stairs. And then there have been the trips to Ikea followed by the furniture putting together (and then the time he pick up the really cool movable shelves and helped me put them together as a Christmas surprise for Mike).

We've been known to buy him dinner. How much does it cost to rent a pickup truck? How much does it cost to hire a mover?

*** And, in my office I have made to order shelves that fit the exact length of my table and fit very nicely over the milk crates -- I mean file boxes.

**** but only in DIRE straights.

*****Sometimes I vent his way about Spouse, we have some issues (let's face it, like 99% of folks that are in a long term relationship and live in the same house and raise kids together have issues - it goes with the territory). I know that some folks (why is a picture of Dr. Phil popping into my head) might tell you if you have issues with your partner, you should talk to your partner. I vent to Crem, sometimes he reminds me it's not worth it. (Thus saving bad feelings between Spouse and myself). Last summer we had the fun of replacing the roof on our 30something house. We managed to get through all the bits, finding the contractor, picking the type and style of roof we wanted, and even figuring out where the money was coming from (okay - so if his folks continue to live, we have to pay them back, and if something happens to them well, we've already spent part of our inheritance :} ). Finally the day came when we had all these guys crawling all over our house. Spouse says "we" (meaning ME) need to stay home. I'm like "I want the heck out - it's too noisy and they're bonded and insured." But instead of venting this to Spouse, I call Crem (who used to be in roofing). He's like "okay you're right BUT this is only one day -- is it worth arguing about -- pour some lemonade, grab a chair in the yard, and enjoy the view." (yeah yeah -- so some of the roofers weren't hard on the eyes, and as they day got warmer the layers of clothing ...).

Then there's also the issues that he reminds me that I can't ignore, and some things are worth pulling up to the surface and examining, no matter how much simpler it is to stick with the status quo.

Occasionally I buy Crem a cup of coffee ($2). How much does a marriage counselor cost???

reflections on reflections ....

I hadn't thought of this before -- but it's a good point. Even those that live under a rock know that the House has a new (first time ever) FEMALE speaker. Now, in addition to being female Nancy is also a mom and a grandma. There is some "on the job" training that comes with being a mom that I now realize will transfer well to her new gig.

Or as my friend, Christina, at Torrey Pines Reflections put it ...

Which is why is about damn time that a woman rose to that position of power!! Who else will be able to handle the bickering of the children...errr..congresspeople better?

See - it doesn't take what you can learn in a management course, it takes good old "stop it or your grounded forever" skills.

(Hmmmm though I have to wonder if she'll be giving the other congresscritters "time outs" if they fight too much).

don't it always seem to go - that you don't know what you've got til it's gone

Today I'm grateful for ...

Something most people have in their home. Something most of us don't think about at all, it's there, it's just there. Always.

The telephone.

Now, normally I wouldn't think about the phone. I might think about my cell phone as something to give a nod to, but my landline. It's always been there ...

up until Thursday. Then AT&T was doing some electrical "upgrades" when, somehow, some cables were cut. Now, a residential area about 2.5 miles long and 1.75 miles wide has all phones serviced by AT&T without phone lines.

It's just WEIRD to not be able to call people. Luckily both Spouse and I have cell phones but yesterday morning we were both going to be out for a while, normally we don't think twice about leaving chip home alone for an hour or so (if you've read this blog you've seen pictures of fuzzybutt -- nobody in their right mind would mess with someone with an 85 pound dog present, and if anyone does well they'll get what they deserve). (We ended up leaving my cell phone home, and Chip having dad's number and the cell phone number of the friend I was having coffee with.)

Even with my cell phone I can't call a lot of people I know, because quite a few people I know are in this area. Just think, if I wanted to talk to a neighbor I'd have to walk over to their house :^).

Luckily, Spouse thought to call (before we knew what happened) and found out we'd be out for a few days and had our landline forwarded to his cell.

It's just sort of weird to not have phone service, and I find it really odd that somehow there's not some more redundancy. I mean really, 3 days and counting and it's still not fixed. Bizarre.

nectar of the gods

Today I'm grateful for ..........

I'm not sure what I'd do without my daily dose, my morning cuppa.

COFFEE

Crem states that he is addicted to Starbuck's but I'm not brand devoted. I don't care whether I make it at home, get it in a drive through, or get a speciality something that you order in French. I GOTTA have my coffee.

I love it in the morning, either at breakfast or (as in now) with my computer, I love to go out with g-dmom and have a cuppa when the kids are in school, and it's essential that I go out every week or two with Crem and sit and have a cuppa for an hour or two while we solve the problems in each other's lives and in the world.

If it had never been invented, there would never have been coffee shops. If there had never been coffee shops I have a question? Where would J.K. Rowling have written Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone????

Coffee ----- it's what's for breakfast.

talk about the "kindness of strangers"

Both of these articles are edited (for length) but you you follow the links to the full articles (or Google -- these articles both of tons of hits on news.google.com


click here to link to the full text of the article shown below

NYC, Trump, Disney reward "Subway Superman"
Fri Jan 5, 2007 3:39 PM ET

By Mark Porter

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New Yorker dubbed "Subway Superman" received the city's highest civic award on Thursday after pinning down a stricken stranger on subway tracks just enough to allow an oncoming train to run over the top of them.

"You see somebody in distress, you help out," Autrey told a news conference, as he was flanked by his 4- and 6-year-old daughters, who had watched their father jump onto the subway tracks. "I was just in the right place at the right time."

While Bloomberg called Autrey a "true hero" and the New York Post newspaper dubbed him the "Subway Superman," the construction worker -- who went to work as normal after the incident -- said the real heroes were U.S. troops in Iraq.

Autrey -- whose boss didn't believe his excuse for being late to work until he saw on the Internet what Autrey had done -- is also scheduled to appear on both "The Late Show With David Letterman" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Reuters 2007.

He's been quoted as saying that he's not a hero, he's in the right place at the right time, you see someone in trouble you help them out ... but I have to wonder if after getting all the kudos if it would me, would it be going to my head? Would I be thinking "hey I'm ALL THAT." (I'll say it now -- I'll expect a few comments telling me that I think I'm all that already :} -- after all no matter what C from Torry Pines Reflections says it's all about ME

The part I love is his boss not believing his excuse for being late for work. I could just see if one of my employees came in

"Um sorry on the way here I jumped past a speeding train to save someones life"

Yeah, sure, right.



click here to link to the full text of the article shown below

January 5, 2007
2 More City Heroes, and One Saved Child
By JAMES BARRON and TRYMAINE LEE
The two men first saw the baby from across the Bronx street, dangling from a fire escape four stories above the sidewalk. His grip was growing weaker by the second. The two men saw only one choice: run over and try to catch him.

The two men — Julio Gonzalez, 43, a mechanic who lives in the neighborhood, and Pedro Nevarez, 40, of Corona, Queens — insisted that they had just done the obvious thing. As Mr. Nevarez, who has a 19-year-old foster son, put it: “I’m not a hero. I did what any other father would do. When you’re a father, you would do this whether it’s your child or not.”

First, the boy bounced off Mr. Nevarez. He said Timothy knocked the wind out of him, and also knocked him down.

Mr. Gonzalez then realized that it was up to him. “I just hoped and prayed that I would be able to catch him,” he said.

Michael Amon, Cara Buckley and Cassi Feldman contributed reporting.

Again, they're saying right place, right time, they just did what you do.

But in both of these cases how many *OTHER* people were standing around, pointing, and saying "somebody should do something." Fortunately, I've never been in a place where I was called into a decision like that. I wonder whether I'd be one of the few, or one of the many.

I think for now, I'll keep upper story windows closed, stand behind the yellow line, and "mind the gap" so at least I don't have to make other people make that decision if I'm in trouble.

100 days until April 16.

Four for Friday meme

Grabbed this meme from Alto2 - remember imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

Question 1 - Investing: If you had extra money to invest in 2007, where would you put it? Real Estate, the stock market, municipal bonds, a friend's start-up, in a savings account, in a hedge fund, under your mattress, in a foreign market, in U.S. savings bonds, mutual funds, precious metals, your 401K or IRA, baseball cards, or somewhere else?

I can't recall exactly how it went but I was listening to something on the radio the other day that said typically in years that the experts say that stocks are good and gold is bad, gold ends up doing better, so I'd put some in gold -- but probably mostly to retirement. After all, I can get a loan for education but when you're tooling around at 70, you can't get a loan for retirement ;}

Question 2 - Execution: As recently as yesterday afternoon, nearly six days after it happened, U.S. President George W. Bush steadfastly denied having seen the video of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's execution. Do you believe him?

I can't possibly imagine anyone having the stomach to watch ANYONE getting killed.

Question 3 - Gays in the Military: A recent poll from Zogby International shows that U.S. military personnel are increasingly at ease serving with openly gay colleagues. The poll reveals that 73 percent of military members are not bothered by lesbians and gays serving alongside them. Nearly one in four (23 percent) service members polled reported knowing for certain that someone in their unit is lesbian or gay, including 21 percent of those in combat units. Do you feel gay people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, and despite what you believe, has you opinion on this matter changed any over the last 5-10 years?

If I had people coming at me trying to blow me up, I'd want the people I was with to be intelligent, compassionate (at least toward their fellow soldiers), level headed, and a really great aim. I don't believe any of those qualities are determined by sexual orientation.

I hope like heck opinion on that is changing.

Question 4 - Movie: What was the last movie you saw, and would you recommend that I take my Mother to see it?

The last movie I saw was Happy Feet, and sure why not take mom. Take dad too while you're at it.

Strangers

Today I'm grateful for

The kindness of strangers.

As an example (and this is not the only example I can pull from -- just the most recent), last night I was leaving work late (10:30) after a long day. It was coldish (mid 40s) and raining. Dank, dark, and dreary. I hopped into minivan and turned the key ... "click." not good. Turned the key again "click" and noticed the clock was on the wrong time. I grab the cellphone to call Spouse to tell him I'll be a while as I'll hang around and wait for AAA (another thing to be thankful for) when I noticed two guys in front of the pizza shop next to my store. I'm like, hey I can sit here and wait 45 minutes for AAA so I'm not completely stuck -- BUT does anyone mind. Amazingly enough of *4* yes count them *4* cars there only one had jumper cables. (I was given a moment's hesitation when I couldn't find the cables in my car -- as I told the pizza guy "I might be getting divorced tomorrow" sometimes Spouse "helps" me by cleaning out my car and then removes all the stuff that isn't "necessary" but I did find the cables in a moment).

So, the nice young man helped me out (even got the jumper onto the positive post of my battery - really bad design on Honda's part had to put a cable on), we attached the cables, he turned on his pickup, and then I hopped into Minivan, click, brrrrrrooooom.

Taking a moment to help a stranger can really make someone's day. It's a good thing to keep in mind in our workaday rushaday world.

Bye bye Dennis

Dennis Hastert is now done with his tenure as Speaker of the House.

The other day I was watching some video on some TV show that has the funniest videos of each month -- they were doing a year end review. Anyway they showed this video of some of our Congresscritters singing the National Anthem. As Speaker, Dennis was in front of the microphone -- singing -- the WRONG WORDS!!!

I'm like -- he's been in Congress *HOW LONG* and he doesn't even know the words to the National Anthem??? Where's he from -- how stupid are the people in his state to reelect him???
(oh yeah -- that's right -- they're my neighbors)

Today -- M.B. NdotS

Today I'm grateful for mbns. I've known mb since the early 90s -- back before Al Gore even intented the Internet. It all started over a TV show that has been off the air since the week before I got married in 1993, yet somehow we still go on. The group that we were a part of has all but gone their separate ways -- every now and then there will be a message, and some holiday cards but really not much communication in the group.

And actually I don't communicate with mb all that often - but we do keep touch and I did get to see him a couple of weeks ago -- his sister lives in the metro area, so whenever he visits her at Christmas time we try to get together (it usually works to except the years he goes and stays all week in Michigan with his mom). I've been lucky to meet his family and I think they seem completely abnormal. I do believe his is one of the 5% of families in the world that is NOT dysfunctional.

In addition to being an all around nice guy (the "NdotS" is an old nickname he earned, "net.sweetie") he has some strong points, and I'll touch on a few of them.

1) His faith is deep -- he's not one of those people that "phones in" his religion a few times a year. I have a lot of respect for that.

2) He gives DARN GOOD hugs. (In thinking of some of the people I want to address in this gratitude theme -- that quality seems to be pretty high on my list :} ).

3) If stuff happens (and stuff often happens) I know that calling mb is calling in the power of prayer.

Thanks MB -- you'll always be n.s to me. (Now I have to remember to send him this link :} -- why say nice things about someone if you don't share them with the person).

I'm grateful for ...

Today, I'm grateful for

CHOCOLATE!!!

I know I said that I direct this more toward people, and I likely will but I think this fits after yesterday's 5% blog.

1) Chocolate is warmth in winter -- think about it, it's the most logical thought after kids come in from playing in the snow. And after walking fuzzy at night I sometimes enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate, albeit with a shot of Irish cream.

2) Chocolate is celebration -- other than fasting holidays, most holidays incorporate chocolate. I mean where would Valentine's day be without the chocolate heart, and then there's Easter with the eggs, Hanukkah with the gelt, Halloween, Christmas. Chocolate is a celebration. Hmmmmm I wonder if I should start marketing chocolate groundhogs. (Okay -- the summer holidays don't have much chocolate, but let's face it -- chocolate melts.

3) Chocolate does melt -- hot fudge on top of ice cream. Chocolate syrup can find many uses - nuff said.

4) Chocolate lifts a mood -- and as Crem could tell you during tax season, chocolate is "my drug of choice."

5) Chocolate is an aphrodisaic -- now I don't think I can find a reference to chocolate as an aphrodisaic but I'll tell you one thing. If some hot guy came up to me with some really good chocolate. I'm just saying.

I'm drinking my coffee this morning with my favorite mug "Love is all I need ---- but I'll settle for chocolate. I think I'll put in some chocolate syrup today.

5%

mll heard in a sermon that only 5% of new year's resolutions are kept.

So that's like one in every 20.

Here are 20 resolutions ....

1. I resolve to lose 100 pounds.

2. I resolve to never lose my temper with my children.

3. I resolve to only use kind an gentle words.

4. I resolve to get enough sleep.

5. I resolve to spend less time surfing the Internet.

6. I resolve to improve my posture.

7. I resolve to walk my dog 4 miles every day.

8. I resolve to save money and NEVER buy designer coffee in a coffee shop

9. I resolve to eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies per day.

10. I resolve to maintain the proper posted speed limit.

11. I resolve to always treat Spouse in a respectful manner

12. I resolve to not take advantage of Crem's generous nature

13. I resolve to keep my proper medical schedule of doctors, midwife, mammos, dentist, eye doctor etc.

14. I resolve to keep the proper maintenance schedule of my car.

15. I resolve to file all paperwork promptly.

16. I resolve to mow the lawn as necessary, in a cheerful manner.

17. I resolve to weed the lawn on a regular basis, and never resort to weed killer.

18. I resolve to groom fuzzybutt 3 times a week.

19. I resolve to do the flylady thing and have a shiny sink every night.

20. I resolve to eat more chocolate.

Let's see, 1 in 20 -- WE HAVE A WINNER

Fuzzybutt

Today I'm grateful for ...

We're going with Fuzzy for today because it is the one year anniversary of him coming to our house.

I'm grateful for him for many reasons ....

1) There are countless living things in my house. In addition to Fuzzy, there are dust mites, probably a few spiders, might be a squirrel over the garage, a guinea pig, a 19 year old cat, a Princess, a Chip, and Spouse. Of all of those, the only one that I can consistently count on to actually listen to me is Fuzzy.

2) Fuzzy (any dog) is pure devotion. Let's face it, most people do not love unconditionally. Most dogs do. When I come in the house I can count on at least someone coming to greet me at the door. Cats believe that they are the center of the universe. Dogs know that their owners are the center of the universe. And, as it's all about me, I do at times appreciate my dog's point of view.

3) Fuzzy is extremely protective of his pack. You cannot hurt one of his charges when he's around. [This has been tested -- long story but if sister_R's ex ever shows his face again, I'll be glad to let Fuzzy have another go round.] If the kids get too loud with each other, he'll get between them and say "peace in my house" in a, somehow, much more effective way than I ever could. I've left my oldest home alone for short periods of time. And sometimes people give you that look when you leave your kid home alone. I'm like "nobody is gonna mess when someone is next to an 85 pound dog."

4) Let's face facts, he does look like Lassie. He's actually one point off the trademark. Sable coat: check, white collar: check, blaze down nose: check, larger than average collie: check. The only thing he's missing is being of the direct line of Pal, the first dog that played Lassie. And, when you're walking down the street and see people of a certain age they can't help but be completely charmed by the look of the penultimate dog, that would also save Timmy from the well. After all, collies are supposed to be incredibly intelligent dogs. (Fuzzy hides it well).

New feature

In an attempt to show a more positive view of life, I've decided that daily I'm going to try to comment on someone or something that I'm grateful for. And, the things in my life that I might be grateful for are important, but the people can appreciate the gratitude more, so while I might occasionally express gratitude for important things (like chocolate) I'll try to more often show appreciation for living things (like folks).

And, since it's the first day of a whole new year there's no time like the present so today I give you my first .....

I'm grateful for ..........

Now, some might thing I might start with something big and important and close to my life, like perhaps Spouse -- but his birthday is later this month so I think I'll wait on that, and I'll have a bit of a twist.

I am grateful to Mimi of The Family Blender. A few things.

1) She got me (and others on my on my moms list) started on this whole blog thing. It's a trip ...

2) If you've seen my last post she inspired me to do the pictorial music video, and also helped me figure it out.

3) She has a great philosophy of parenting. While I'm not sure I agree completely 100% of the time (though offhand I can't think of anytime I've actually disagreed with her) she always has insights. Mimi, your "blender tips" are not exclusively useful to only blended families. Most of us can use those ideas.

4) Back in October 2002, in a hotel room in Florida she made a short, yet powerful comment. I try to keep it close to my heart in appropriate situations.

5) Her "head and ass are wired together." (HEY -- her hubby said it first, I'm just quoting an old Marine). I'm going to try to make that one of my goals for 2007.

She might be a couple (or more) years younger than me. When I grow up I wanna be like her.

(And I'm not just saying that. Though if you read her blog you know that you do not want to be on her bad side.)

Let's see if this works.

| View Show | Create Your Own

If this works -- kudos to Mimi @ The Family Blender

My gig

Somedays I don't like my job (hmm and I'm the owner). It's life - we all have days like that. Days when I think I'm not well suited to my job - or maybe my job is not well suited to me. Maybe we all have something we're "meant to do" and I just haven't found it yet.

But when you look at what other people do, it does put things in perspective.

For instance, these guys. Hey they're just welding stuff. Doesn't seem too bad. But what they're welding, okay maybe not what they're welding, but where they are welding it ...



I mean, it's only 4,000 feet in the air.

It does seem like an amazing feat of engineering. But I don't know that I'd want to be welding 4,000 feet above the ground.

I might visit it someday. I'm just glad that it's being built by the Hualapai Nation, and not by the lowest bidder on an US Government contract.




for more information look here http://www.destinationgrandcanyon.com/skywalk.html


or here www.grandcanyonskywalk.com

Pardon my Freudian slip

Spouse and I run a business. Okay perhaps it is more accurate to say that I run a business, and Spouse is at the best of times a silent partner. (At the worst of times he's trying to "help" when he knows just enough to be dangerous).

As in any business, marketing is a very high priority, and the less expensive the marketing is, the better it is.

Since the business is a tax business, we start running at full steam next week. So I was talking about roadside visibility and was talking about putting flags out and the mundane details about buckets and wet sand vs. cement.

Spouse mentioned that we should put the banners out but I said that right now we should be putting the flags out, and we can't put the flags and banners out at the same time because the banners are taller.

So then I menioned that right now is a very opportune time to put out the flags, since it's seen as a show of patriotism since "George Bush "just died. Whoops -- hey both names begin with the letter G, and both first names have 6 letters, and both last names have 4 letters. It's a simple mistake.

(Though you'll never convince Spouse -- the diehard Republician -- that's it's NOT a Freudian slip).

Gift meme

Alto2 tagged me with this -- I hereby tag anyone else.

Holiday Gift and Shopping Meme

What is the best present you received this year?

I guess some times it's hard to say because there's so many great gifts, and some times it's hard to say because everything is for ....... but THIS year there is no doubt what the best gift I got was. I can't honestly remember the last time I got a gift that was so great, and this puts 2006 in the annals of "Christmases to remember).

It was simple. It was a card, and in the card was a piece of paper. On the piece of paper was a poem and the poem let us know that the package will arrive sometime this summer (current ETA August 1, 2007). Any of my mom friends can tell you that August babies are the BEST!!! (Even June or July or September "August babies" it's the due date that counts). I've had 20 some years of experience as an Aunt -- so I do believe that now that it's removed one generation I will be a GREAT Aunt.

What is the worst present you received this year?

I haven't gotten a worst present yet. However, Crem promised that he'd put some coal in my stocking. He hasn't done this yet so maybe my worst present is not even getting a lump of coal. Sniff sniff I shall go cry now :^).

Will you shop the after-Christmas sales?

Ummm let's see, it's Thursday and so far I've only gone shopping at Trader Joe's to get stuff for dinner, and I went to the pet store to look for supplies for SAS (Crem's dog). They didn't have the filter Crem needed for the dog bowl, so I didn't get anything for SAS, but while I was there I got a chew toy off the Christmas bin for Fuzzybutt at 1/2 price. So I'll let you, dear readers, decide whether or not that's shopping the after-Christmas sales. The times I do shop "after Christmas" sales it's because I need (or will need) certain things and figure if I can get them at 1/2 price why not. (I mean I *could* have gotten Fuzzybutt a different chew toy that wasn't red and green -- but it wouldn't have been as cheap :} ).

What is still on your wish list?

Chocolate -- I received absolutely NO chocolate for Christmas. What kind of holiday is that??

Carols

I've decided. I don't have a favorite Christmas carol -- it's sort of a fluid annual thing depending on life and such.

For instance, last year my favorite was Grown Up Christmas List

No more lives torn apart
And wars would never start
And time would heal a heart...

Everyone would have a friend
And right would always win
And love would never end ...

All well and good and "spirit of the season" and all.

This year however I've got something completely differnet on my favorite list. It's from Jimmy Buffett. If you don't know who Jimmy Buffet is, this song is reflective of the style of Jerry Lee Lewis.

If you don't know who either of those guys are then you are entirely too young to be reading this blog.

Ho, Ho, Ho, and a Bottle of Rhum
Jimmy Buffett, Roger Guth, Pete Mayer & Russ Kunkel

Santa's stressed out as the holiday season draws near
He's been doing the same job now going on two thousand years
He's got pains in his brain and chimney scars cover his buns
He hates to admit it, but Christmas is more work than fun

I can relate to that...

He needs a vacation from bad decorations and snow
Mr. Claus has a escape plans, a secret that only he knows
Beaches and palm trees appear night and day in his dreams
A break from his wife, half-frozen in life
The elves and that damn reindeer team

Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rum
Santa's run off to the Caribbean
He thinks about boat drinks and fun in the sun
Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rhum

Plastic creations and crass exploitations aren't good
He wants to go back to simple toys made out of wood
Just for the weekend he'd like to be Peter Pan
Get out of his long johns and dance with a sword
dance with a sword in the sand

(Chorus)
Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rhum
Snata's off to the Caribbean
Marimbas, calimbas, he's playing steel drums
Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rhum

Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rhum
Santa's off to the Caribbean
A week in the tropics and he'll be alright
Sporting a tan as he rides out of sight

Merry Christmas to all and to all good night

I'm thinking for me maybe a month in the tropics would be good.

Finally for you lot (that would be whoever reads this ...

A Merry Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear.

-- John Lennon and Yoko Ono

We be in trouble now .....

We're in trouble now. As you can see from the attached article, the people in charge of our missle defenses are PARTYING with their families, and equipment that cost TAXPAYER DOLLARS is used to track some relatively harmless guy.

AND not only are they wasting taxpayer dollars, and partying when they should be watching our backs, they have proof of some guy going around the world, breaking and entering millions of homes, and they're doing nothing about it.

Is THIS what I pay taxes for??? :-p) (tongue in cheek)


from How Norad tracks Santa(use this link for entire article)

How Norad tracks Santa Claus
Saturday, 23 December 2006

In 1958, the governments of Canada and the United States decided to create a bi-national air defense command for the North American continent called the North American Air Defense Command which inherited the tradition from CONAD. Since then, Canadian and American men and women spend part of their Christmas Eve with their families and friends at NORAD's Santa Tracking Operations Center in order to answer phones and provide Santa updates to the many thousands of children who call in. Last year the Norad Santa website was visited by millions of people.

How they Track Santa
According to Norad, they use four systems to track Santa - radar, satellites, Santa Cams and jet fighter aircraft.

It all starts with the North Warning System and its 47 installations across Canada's North and Alaska. NORAD constantly monitors radar for indications that Santa Claus is leaving the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

The moment radar indicates that Santa has lifted off, Norad begins to use the same satellites that are used to detect possible missile launches aimed at North America. The satellites are located in a geo-synchronous orbit at 22,300 miles above the Earth and with their infrared sensors are able to detect Rudolph's nose, which according to the command gives off an heat signature similar to a missile launch. With recent advances in technology, these satellites can detect Rudolph's bright red nose with virtually no problem.

I suppose he can find a hockey mask -- he does live in Canada

We all know that kids sometimes say cute things.

The other day Princess and I were listening to Christmas songs, and she asked the names of the reindeer. She did know one of the names .....

Slasher

She could not figure out why I was laughing so hard.

So the next time you see tiny reindeer flying overhead -- check and see if one is wearing a hockey mask. That's Slasher.

Lyrics

I don't know why I do it. I'm feeling low this time of year and I get that. I know the change in the amount of sunlight affects me. I know that there's some other stress in my life and yeah, I know I'm a cat and always land on my feet and will push on and chin up and all that.

But through it all I torture myself by listening to all Christmas all the time radio. It's like I have to plod through Christmas anyway so I'll just beat myself over the head even when I'm alone in the car. How nuts is that??? (But I've already said insanity runs in my family). And now I've gone and found a station to stream while I'm on the computer.

And, I find myself listening to lyrics, so I will share some thoughts on that ...

I get fussy about lyrics. I like traditional lyrics. There's a song called Winter Wonderland and the second verse goes something like

In the meadow we can build a snowman
And pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with Mr. Snowman
Until the other kiddies knock him down.

Now, there are like 5,624 versions of Winter Wonderland. A few completely ignore the second verse, and one or two do both verses and quite a few do the first verse (the one with Parson Brown) twice. I'm always like what's with this -- do you not like the circus clown???

So I get all up in arms when someone doesn't do the second verse of Winter Wonderland properly. I'm a staunch traditionalist, right??

On the other hand ... when it comes to good will to men; well I don't want to abide good will to men, I want good will to all. (So there, I'm not such a staunch traditionalist okay).

Then there's other things I've noticed. There's quite a few people (I count myself among them) that think that Michael Jackson is a bit off the norm. Well, I finally figured out what the deal is. A trauma happened in his home when he was 12. We all (okay those of us of a certain age) heard about it on the Jackson 5 Christmas album. He walked down the stairs (snuck down) and discovered his mother in the arms of another man?? In a strict Jehovah's Witness family???? OH my what a tragedy. Right there, in his own home, under the mistletoe, there was his mom with SANTA!!!!

ANYWAY

A very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
let's hope it's a good one
without any fear.

My family, naughty or nice

Spouse
NAUGHTY sometimes :^) but that can be nice :^).
NICE We had a stellar morning (yeahsurerightbabe) and the kids got off to school late, Chip without his lunch. Spouse made lunch for Chip and drove it to school.

Chip
NAUGHTY 10 year old boys sometimes have a certain increase in testosterone. If you've ever been around one, you know what I mean. If not well count your many blessings.
NICE It's never a fight to get him into -- or out of bed.


Princess
NAUGHTY MUST be peeled off the bed every morning. No matter how much sleep she has received.
NICE If she loves you, she'll show you and tell you.

Fuzzybutt
NAUGHTY He sometimes has digestive issues with certain foods -- he sometimes forgets to tell us he needs to go out. If anyone is in the mood to give us some new flooring :^) (okay I didn't think so)
NICE As long as he's around nobody will EVER be allowed to harm a member of his family. Superbly protective.

Crem
NAUGHTY I'm sure he'd like the opportunity -- if you happen to know any 35-40 year old single women in the greater Chicago area .......
NICE Multi talented. Geek and handyman (and has a pickup truck). And if you're his friend and you need his help - he's there.


SAS (Crem's Fuzzybutt)
NAUGHTY Has issues differentiating between chew toys and furniture.
NICE He doesn't slop water all over when he drinks from his water dish (unlike my own fuzzybutt)

Yours truly
NAUGHTY I say naughty things about my family and friends
NICE I say nice things about my friends and family.

My readers Naughty or nice???

Santa has *no* respect for the rights of privacy -- he's always spying on people.

Well, this is 2006 and we've put it all out there anyway -- so it doesn't matter, Santa can just read our blogs and find out.

Have you been naughty or nice?????? Read here and find out the answer.

mll of Are we there yet:
NICE takes time off work to bake cookies with her daughters. NAUGHTY didn't send any to ramblingmom :^).

Sock Girl of Old Blue Socks:
NICE putting out chicken for Santa (I'm sure he's tired of all those cookies).
NAUGHTY well she didn't go into it, but her children did title her as the "meanest mommy in the world" so I'm sure she must have done something to deserve it. After all, her kids wouldn't make something like that up.

Mimi of The Family Blender:
NICE shares wonderful recipes with her friends.
NAUGHTY she blogs about her children -- much to their chagrin (and our amusement).

Alto2 of The Testosterone Zone:
NICE comes up with some bloody brilliant ideas sometimes.
NAUGHTY oh it's so terrible I don't even know if I should share it -- but it's out there and anyone could find out. She actually makes her child do his homework!!!! Oh the horrors.

Mom of 4K of Time for the Bell:
NICE Love her laugh.
NAUGHTY she does not keep up her blog. We need more from you girl you write so well.

Mimi's Man of Life:Found:
NICE he adores his wife, and treats her like a queen (which she well deserves).
NAUGHTY another one that doesn't keep up with blogging.

Christina from Torry Pines Reflections:
NICE does wonderful giving projects like the 3 day walk. NAUGHTY -- hmmm well she hasn't but I wonder .. the way she talks about the football coach (hehehehe)

LSM from Somewhere in the Suburbs:
NICE This has nothing to do with her blog -- but she is the most awesome scrapbooker.
NAUGHTY well -- for some reason I can't link to her blog today - which likely isn't her fault but I figure what the heck I can list it because I'm finding it irritating (okay I finally made it and put the link in).

bunnybubblette from The Adventures of Bunny Bubblette:
NICE sends people to make comments on Mr Daddys pictures.
NAUGHTY well, I hear she's made an absolute "elf" out of herself.

If you're not listed here, and want to be LET ME KNOW, and if I know you'll I'll make public comments for all the world to see. I've tried to hit the people that I actually know for a fact read this blog.

gimme gimme gimme

I know this looks a bit weird -- but I had this error I couldn't get rid of, so I removed it :} . Anyway - if you want leave me a (virtual) gift. I love getting STUFF

Xmas Stocking

leave a gift for ramblingmom your username: your gift: (30 characters or less) get your stocking

a picture is worth a thousand words

Hmmm -- I wonder if I can use that line "a picture is worth a thousand words" if I decide to do nanowrimo sometime???

Yesterday I went out "shopping" with my friend Crem. Neither of us needed to BUY anything, but we stopped by a local pet store to see what was available from one of the local rescue organizations.



Point of information -- my friend Crem is male.

As we were in the store I said "HEY -- now I can say I was out with you and got a sloppy kiss"

(Course, I don't think I'd ever let ANY human male kiss me the way that Oscar kissed me -- but he's soooooooooooooooo cute -- Oscar that is, not Crem).

While we were there, we were looking at the cats that were available. We found one that looked quite like my current cat. It was a GREAT plan -- my current cat is 19 years old -- she won't be around that much longer -- we'll just sneak in another black cat. Nobody will know the difference :} :}

Of course, the cat that looked like her was male -- so someone might notice that, and then there's the possibility that another cat might not spend time hiding in my bedroom. We figured it would be suspicious if there was a cat that actually started wandering around the house and talking to people. (OH -- that and a cat living to 40 might be suspect)

Another image I saw this week in the Chicago Trib ...




Honey I said I wanted you to go TO the store, TO the store, not THROUGH the store.

3 years ago and 1/2 a world away

3 years ago today. I was hanging about doing my thing in the minivan lane with a (then) 7 year old boy.

Spouse was 1/2 a world away picking up a package.




She drives me crazy at times (LOTS of times). She's a bundle of energy that I will never be able to keep up with. Her brother would gladly trade her for a Playstation 3. She'd trade her brother for some hair bling. There are days I claim that I'd trade the lot of them for some chocolate.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Convenient AND Environmentally friendly

Today, in the Chicago Tribune, there were two articles one pro and one con for the giving of gift cards.

If you feel the need you can look them up here ....

the pro ...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0612050297dec06,1,3461768.story

and the con

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0612050297dec062,1,3646867.story

Having already made my mind up before reading the articles, I didn't go through them word for word. But I did like the following from the pro gift card article ...

If every clueless but well-meaning gift-giver went for a gift card instead of, say, a giant plastic topiary or a hearth rug shaped like a poodle, we'd have less garbage to recycle, fewer lies to tell and more time to spend with those we love.

Convenient, charitable (we buy gift cards through my children's' school and the school gets a cut), and doubly environmentally friendly (saves on packaging, and saves on the trip to the store to buy the original gift AND the trip back to the store when the recipient returns the gift).

AND -- I don't know about you but I know I don't have much extra room around here, and gift cards fit in a specific area, whereas I'm not sure where exactly I'd put a giant plastic topiary.

More news

From the Enquirer (Cincinnati)

The chess world's governing body announced it will introduce drug testing in the Asian Games in Qatar. Steroids? We all know how hard it is to push one of those rooks across that board.

I'm trying to think of what performance enhancing drugs would help with chess. I guess I'll have to keep an eye out the next chess tournament I go to, see what the coaches are slipping to the players between games.

OKAY OKAY -- I CONFESS!!!! The last time I went to a chess tournament I gave the boys SODA and PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lock me up and throw away the key.

Sometimes I think the entire world is just a little bit off kilter.

Kinsey 6

Bit of news from last week. The following from the Washington Post


WASHINGTON -- Pentagon guidelines that classified homosexuality as a mental disorder now put it among a list of conditions or "circumstances" that range from bed-wetting to fear of flying.

The revision came in response to criticism this year when it was discovered that the guidelines listed homosexuality alongside mental retardation and personality disorders.

Okay -- I suppose this is a way for the military to get around having homosexuals in the military, without directly calling homosexuality a "mental disorder." (Gotta hand it to the Pentagon -- in what 1973(?) or something the psychiatric association declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder and it's now 2006 -- they're only 30 years behind -- really builds MY confidence in the Pentagon folks).

But I had an interesting thought. There are some calling for a reinstatement of the draft. This issue has pros and cons (and I really don't need or want to get into a debate about it :} ). I give points to the argument that it would make our congresscritters think twice before voting to start a war. I mean it's one thing sending "troops" in, it's something completely different when your own kids or grandkids or nephews are in the military. (Though let's face it -- even when there was a draft there were loopholes for kids of elected officials).

But - IF the draft is reinstated, AND if homosexuality is a condition that is not conductive to military service I predict that there will be a sudden change in the numbers of those that state their homosexuality. At least between men that are 18-24.

And the winner is .........

I wonder, if I did a google search on the number of various and sundry questionnaires out there in net.land, how many are there??

One question that seems to show up often is ....

Are you a early bird or a night owl.

I guess most people seem to be one or the other, otherwise the question wouldn't show up all that often.

For some reason that question popped into my head today and I *FINALLY* figured out my once and for all final and decisive answer to that question.

Night owl????? Early bird?????

SLOTH!!!



YEP -- that works for me (or, I guess in this case, what doesn't work fits me best).