The North Koreans can have it

The movie, that is. "The Interview".  Why did I watch it? I caved to the propaganda. The only part I enjoyed was the puppy (similar shown above) near the end of the movie and the beginning with Eminem. He played his part so dead pan.

Between the beginning and the end, I was reminded why I do not care for S Rogen films. I paid nothing for the film, so at least I did not have that loss.

Christmas eve found us traveling in a hellacious rain storm. At one point, I just could not see. Fortunately for me, I had a car ahead of me (follow the red tail lights) and the vehicle behind me backed off so I did not feel as if I were being "pushed".

We passed no less than four vehicles pulled over, and two serious-looking accidents. A Merry Christmas was NOT had by all.

I hinted to this group that we planned on skipping next year. I hope I can stick to my guns and follow through. Years ago when my sister was incarcerated, I had her two children at my house for Chistmas every year. Now, she is out - they are both married and have children of their own - they have plenty in their family and I feel that it is time to just return to mine. I travel to them now, because it is just the three of us. I hope they understand. Maybe they will be just as relieved.

Anyway, take the security off of Franco and Rogen. I don't think anybody wants to hurt them except for perhaps Katy Perry for ruining her song "Firework".  

We didn't have a Santa

...but we did have a little elf show up.

Yes, this past Saturday was my family holiday Christmas dinner get together. We have it at a restaurant. 26 adults and 10 children. 10 were unable to make it.

I nearly lost my voice trying to re-gain control of the crowd so that I could finish the games and hand out the remaining gifts. It was a lost effort. My voice just was not strong enough.

I did the usual games of pictures and they were to guess the song the picture depicted. Love that game. I had 4 versions.

For the little ones, there are questions such as "What color is the Grinch?"  "What is the name of one of the reindeer?"  What instrument does "The Little Drummer Boy" play?  "How old are you?"  LOL!

I'll leave you with one of my "search query" requests from the school search engine report:

"Good weapons to kill Santa with"  

Oh, dear.

Still thank ful

We did the family thing on Thursday. whew! All of my Mom's 8 children showed. We did not get any group pictures. Some said nobody was interested, I never heard anybody bring the subject up.

The grandchildren of my Mom came in shifts. Some came earlier, some later. Two are feuding and one was actually going out the back door while the other came in the front door. It all worked out.

Our family traditional games were played - Tripoly and LCR. This is the first year I did not play. I handed the nickels over to my daughter. I noticed the younger set are doing the games. We older set kept moving around talking.

A big group of us stayed over. Just because. Only one was drinking and she no longer drives, but I think we just wanted to extend the visiting. The next day I returned home, exhausted. I rarely sleep at other people's houses.

I think the above photo is the only decent one I got. I put my camera setting on the sports setting because the children kept moving. My flash does not work on that setting (I guess) and all my photos came out grainy, dark and just bleh.

The snow was a surprise. There did not seem to be much indication that we would get any accumulation but we did get some. Just enough to worry people driving back home. I asked my daughter to text me when they got home.

My elder sister's keurig got a work out. One niece went shopping after dinner. She goes every year. The rest of us are like "No, thanks!"

I returned home late Friday, so Saturday was my clean up day.

Today, I am fixing a bird with all the trimmings. While taking the dogs out this morning, my daughter informs me that her beau wants her to go have dinner with his grand pa and his new lady friend. When was this plan made?! I guess I was a big ambiguous about the day I would fix the turkey. I was tired and said I would fix it whatever day I felt like it. I am off work on Monday also - I need at least one day to recover.

And to clean that bird. UGH!

So, I'll fix the bird but what time is their dinner? Screw it. I'm going to fix it when I feel like it. When it is done, it is done. If they are not here, then that is a few less side dishes I have to make, such as noodles.

I watched "Noah". I was very disappointed in the movie. Not certain what I was expecting. I was never a fan of Crowe. I adore Connelly  since Labyrinth - one of my daughter's favorite movies as a child. I do recall saying I was never a fan of middle-earth-type movies. This reminded me of that setting.

Independence

I grabbed this shot at the end of June outside a Bob Evans near Cleveland. The wind was howling and a storm was coming fast. It rained while we were inside and sunny when we came out. The flag was drooped and lifeless when we returned to our car. I was glad I got this shot when it was windy.

My Independence day was quiet. My town set off fireworks last night. I waited until about two minutes before ten and under the cover of darkness snuck outside, grabbed my lawn chair and quickly made my way to the far side of my house and yard (away from my neighbors). Don't get me wrong, I love my neighbors - I just wanted to be by myself and I was afraid if they saw me, they would invite me over and you know I would have had to go sit with them. And the three year old boy. I have been avoiding them lately - just not in a social mood. I wanted to be independent. LOL!

The trees are either very tall or the fireworks are not reaching as high as they used to. Half of the display I did not see. It just looked like heat lightning behind the tree line. When they started, the dogs in the neighborhood began barking and they never stopped through the entire 23 minutes. My dogs remained silent (in the house) the entire time. They got special treats when I went back inside.

Some one's car alarm went off at the beginning, but either they stopped it or it just quit on it's own. My street was packed with cars parked while their occupants walked up and over the hill to view the display.

I sat in my lawn chair and watched the latecomers. It is kind of sad, really. The ones who are late. They are desperately trying to find a parking space, some even risking it and parking close to the fire hydrant. Then they drag their crying kids quickly through the dark streets with the fireworks booming and illuminating the sky like some eerie B-rated horror movie. If the kids aren't traumatized I would be surprised.

As I sat there, I was reminded of my previous 4th holidays when I would have the big party for the family at my house. It was fun but a lot of work. I don't miss it. At all. (I now do Labor day at the park). I always had them come to my house because they could watch the fireworks from my lawn, but really - the trees have grown too high. I guess after ten  years - they tend to do that. I can do without all the work and the expense, too. I always overdid it - that is my custom. It is genetic. And the alcohol. I don't miss the fact that things can always get edgy when there is alcohol around.

And the weed. I have some family members who smoke weed. It doesn't bother me - they are discreet and smoke in the garage so they don't let the children see or smell. The smell comes out anyway. I can remember one time sitting in a group and chatting with family and I said "Whew. I smell a skunk."  My next sentence was "Where is Jock, Susan and Larry?"  (Not their real names). After a two second pause we all looked at each other and just busted out laughing. Because I smelled the skunk (a lot of times weed smells like skunk) and they are the three that smoke it and that is exactly what they were doing.

I enjoy the quiet times because I have had so many crazy and loud times. There will be more loud and crazy. It is just nice to sit and relax and not have to converse. With anyone. I got to see my beautiful pink fireworks. They are my favorite. Not the red ones, but the pink ones.

I thank the military and the US for my independence and to spend it the way I want to. That is freedom. We have the choice. Some paid dearly for this privilege we are enjoying and I am so grateful to them.

Funny gag gift

First, let me apologize for the blurry photo. Taken with my cell phone at a work party and my hand was not very steady. (no alcohol involved, we ARE an education institution after all) but plenty of laughter and just plain jitters.

We were to purchase a "gag" gift for five dollars and take to the party. I thought this one was particularly creative. The gal opened her gift and it was a pack of batteries and as she moved the tissue paper aside on the bottom of the box it says "Gift not included."  Loved it!

I do not have any excuse for not posting very much. I guess I just have hit another dry spell. My posting is motivated by my need to put something down, so I guess I'll just have to wait for inspiration or until my feelings prompt me to write.

A warm holiday glow

The restaurant knows how to decorate, I'll give it that. We had our annual family dinner last evening. The weather caused a few concerns, but all showed plus two extra. Wow. I had called the restaurant earlier stating that we may have some cancellations so they cut our table size down to twenty. I then had 23 adults, 5 children and 3 tiny babies show up. It got crowded - again.

The games were kind of sloppy. I was not organized at all. There were fewer gifts (lack of funds). The kids wanted more, more, more and I felt inadequate. 

And the chicken was rubber. I should have ordered the steak.

But I got to see all the little tiny ones. From 7 down to one month old. Two brothers did not show. They spent the evening with their fire department/town hall Christmas parties.

The roads were a mess. I had put two brand new tires on my car that morning. I had been to that restaurant last week (just to check it out) and driving home was quite a feat with two bald, front tires. I was  more prepared yesterday. Much better. My pocket book did not need the extra expense this close before the holiday but when does a car care about that? Never.

The relish tray

My niece and her fiance's version of the "relish tray" at Christmas.  Funny!

The movie "A Better Life" made me cry. It may help if you know some Spanish (Of course I took French in high school). The movie did not sub-title the conversations in Spanish.

Things around here have been quiet. Not as quiet as when I lived alone for six months. My daughter is twenty. She should be active and moving around and coming and going. That is what you do at twenty. The dogs are pushing me, but I figure they need an adjustment period, too.

I have lots of work to do to keep me busy. I am supposed to be going through totes and sorting/pitching and organizing "stuff".  A friend had two computer issues. One I resolved already the other one I have waiting on the piano bench. 

See? Again, I will do anything to get out of "house" work like the sorting of "stuff" I should be doing. Heh. Grocery store today. I need almost everything. Since I was by myself for six months not much got used up. This holiday tore through that. (Flour, sugar, detergents etc...). Dog food. Always dog food. You know, I gotta keep them dogs pooping. I have cut their food down a good bit and am thinking about cutting down more. They are all very plump. But,  you should see them play when I take them outside. Now I am back to thinking fence. Sigh. Money, money, money.

The Shower Head

Okay, it is not the Commando 450, but my new shower head is fantastic. This is not a picture of mine either, it is a photo I lifted from the Internets. I guess my nephew grew tired of my old one. LOL! Hey, come to think of it - he shopped with me when I got the last one, too. This is one of his many Christmas gifts. Santa came to my house and he looked an awful lot like my nephew.

But again, the greatest gift was the laughter and merriment we shared.

Bleary-eyed

Sitting here bleary-eyed this morning. I have the day off from work. I worked until Friday last week and did not have much time to store away any energy. After my niece came in to help Thursday night, her Mother was like a mini tornado ripping around helping me over the week-end. My nephew assembled my (new to me) 7 foot prelit tree. I bought it from a friend of the family. Two strands of lights are out but he said that can be fixed easily. I need to get a bulb and go through each light one at a time to see what one is causing the entire strand to go dark. He made this 360 Panorama with his iPhone. They are my extended family and I am ever so thankful for them.

Remember how I said we "do lists" every year? There are always surprises and this year was NO exception. I am one happy camper. The absolute sweetest gift was the laughter. My niece's fiance had all his teeth pulled a week or so ago and the poor guy has been in total misery. He kept holding his face in his hands and moaning "Stop! Quit making me laugh!"

Oh my dogs, did we laugh.

What is missing from this photo? Dogs! I had them barricaded in the kitchen and you never heard such mournful crying. Poor babies.

Peeking

A photo my daughter took of herself at the family Christmas party on the 17th. This is my daughter but it is not my daughter. Does that make any sense? I raised a girl with beautiful blond hair. Everybody wants to go brunette these days. I blame "Tangled". LOL!

I am still not ready. We open gifts tonight. That I am prepared for. I have a few more food items to purchase for tomorrow. 

Family came in from out of town last night. The spirits are high this year. Everyone is upbeat. This is a good sign. I found some great gifts yesterday that jumped out at me in the stores. That was a pleasant surprise.

The weather looks good for anybody traveling the roads. I am sorry that I do not wish for a white Christmas but I worry about those on the roads.

Tryin'

I be tryin' hard today to get into the spirit. My beautiful little niece came over last night and helped me clean. Or, should I say I helped her clean? She is a tiny thing and she drank a Red Bull and it was full steam ahead. I quit to fix dinner. I needed a rest. LOL!

Sleeping Santa

Nestled under the tree with the other presents. 

I don't have much these days. What as compared to the trivial slop I serve up the other days? Ha, ha! Just trying to stay one step ahead of the game and focusing on what ever event is coming up next. What do I need to do this week? Do not worry about next week. Just get through this week.

Movies? Let's see."Dolphin Tale" reminded me a bit of "Free Willy". It does have it's basis in a real story, I always like that. He is still adorable but somebody please tell Harry Connick Jr. to get a haircut!

Charge!

I'd like to say my life has been too busy to post. Maybe it has. I don't know. Too busy to think about it. While charging ordering gifts on-line I went ahead and ordered myself a new charger for my big camera. The battery is inside the camera, so the charger and spare battery are floating around this earth somewhere. Hopefully in my house.

So,  I will charge ahead into the holidays as each gift arrives on my doorstep. What fun to open gifts up twice, though my act is not actually opening them. :)

Finger is healing ever so slowly, work is steady and daughter moves back the end of the week. Get ready for stories about Cheech and Chong again!

Introducing....

The new cheese ball from Peruby

Since two sisters and I visited relatives in WV in October and tasted my cousins' cheese ball; they have requested that I start making this type of cheese ball for holiday get togethers. Cream cheese, dried beef, chopped onion, dash of Worcestershire sauce, tablespoon of mayonnaise - all rolled into chopped pecans. Great. Pecans cost more than walnuts. LOL!

I mixed it up for at home. I made a log instead of a ball. I added the Kraft Old English cheese and I chopped both black and green olives and put them into the mix. Eh. I'll probably skip the olives next time. I may have rinsed the dried beef too much because to me it did not seem to have any flavor. The recipe calls for chopped green onion. I think that adds a nice color contrast to the appetizer. 

I also chose some different crackers this time. Keebler Toasteds. They are sturdy enough.

Exhausted

I don't recall being this tired after any holiday. I am whipped. I fixed a turkey dinner today for my crew and they are all out visiting tonight leaving me home alone. Well, I have the critters - but it is quiet. I am enjoying my new electronics. My sinus sting a little and my head hurts a little. Neither require medication at this point. I will walk the dogs one more time and then crash. I work tomorrow and then I have six days off. I am certain I will sleep most of Tuesday. That is the plan.

We be good this year!

We're having a white Christmas here in this neck of Ohio. Hope all of yours is blessed and beautiful. The photo above? I think my puppies were amazed that I was cleaning. They were not exactly sure what to make of it all. LOL!

Where's the beef?

I made this chuck roast yesterday after reading about CheerstoHappy's version from her December 16th. post. Hers looked so good and I had a hankerin' for something rich and saucy. My meal looks a little lost in this dish (I have requested that Santa bring me a heavy duty dutch oven). It was delicious. I left the chuck roast in the crock pot on low all day. When I came home, I added onion, potatoes and carrots and moved it to this baking dish and baked it in the oven at 350 for an hour. The aroma was enough to make you swoon. I get to experience the effects of the smells because I go outside to walk the dogs and when I returned the smell hit me head on.

The down side to this is if a pet has had an accident. That smell can knock you off your feet, too.

Woke up late this morning (for me) and have a cottony feeling inside my head and feel as if I am on the verge of a headache. I am getting pain around the eyes and back on the left side of the head. The coffee is making me sick to my stomach (also a sign of an impending headache). I am so thankful for my medication. I have experienced migraines since I was twelve years old. Before that I had severe headaches. I believe this is from sleeping in my Mom's room from 8 to 11 years old. Every morning I was awoken about 4 or 5 a.m. when she lit her first cigarette. The smoke was heavy in the bedroom and just wafted over to me. I hate cigarette smoke to this day. At 12 I moved into my sisters' bedroom.

Well, I am baking today. I managed puppy chow last evening and started the peanut butter blossoms. I will finish those today. I hope to make cranberry nut bread (cannot find the recipe) and with any luck I can knock out another batch of chocolate chip or M&M cookies. Then I will start the food for tonight. We are having creamed chicken sandwiches (requested by my niece for every Christmas eve), BBQ ham sandwiches (for me), meatball appetizers, and a cheese ball/tray with meat and crackers.

I'll take pictures if I can find my camera's battery charger. Well, you should know me by now. I lose everything!

Daughter's hand crafted tree for a centerpiece. This is about all the decorating I have accomplished. I am in the "one step forward, two steps back" phase. I am trying to muster up some ambition to get started on something this morning. Baking... decorating... anything. Actually, I  kind of want to crawl back into bed. At least I don't work today or tomorrow.

A quickie...

I know. I think it should be "Cheech and Chong wish all of you..."   not wishes... sorry! This is all I have.. too busy.

And so this is Christmas

Another shot from the museum.

What does Christmas mean to you?

What priority defines your holiday?

1. Religious belief

2. Getting/giving presents

3. Seeing/being with family

4. Just getting through it all (a.k.a. 'I hate it and everything it represents') Hurry and just get it over with!

5. Time off from work/school

6. Making money (some people do)

7. A reason to shop

8. A reason to eat more

9. Decorating/making crafts/baking (being creative or creating something)

10. A reason to drink more

Why would somebody contemplate suicide during the holiday season?

1. Lonely (cannot relate to others and they don't understand why)

2. Unreasonable expectations that cannot be met (no money or energy required to "give")

3. Cannot stand to see such cheer when feeling so low and miserable

4. Confused that they don't feel the cheer or "get it" - there must be something wrong with me

5. Failure to meet personal goals (I will never be able to do it all or give enough)

When you find yourself feeling blue around the holidays, does anything in particular cheer you up? Or, what do you do to get yourself in the spirit of things?

1. Listening to Christmas carols/music

2. Shopping

3. Baking

4. Watching holiday movies

5. Seeing family/friends

6. Decorating

7. Wrapping gifts

8. Sending/receiving cards in the mail

9. Eating

10. Drinking

11. Driving or walking around looking at lights/displays

12. Going to holiday functions/festivals

13. Reading meaningful Christmas stories (The Gift of the Magi, etc...)

14. Reminiscing about past holidays and great memories (opening a box of nostalgic ornaments)

15. Nothing, I just like to lay low and do as little as possible to get this nightmare over with