Photo Fun

Not that I am bored or anything...

Just having a little fun...

With my camera....

And with MS PowerPoint...

and Paint Shop.

My blue lights, my ginger ale again, my daughter's green yo-yo, my cellophane lamp, and some yummy left-over raspberry hard candy.

Moon madness

Maybe the moon has affected Sable. She seems to be possessed.

Same moon as yesterday. Taken from my backyard overlooking my neighbor's house.

Close Up

The January full moon is a chilly one tonight.

Ginger ale in a cobalt blue glass. Up close. Mmmm.

Ordered and almost ready

The program has been ordered. I guess I have to stick with my plan, now. I stated a while back that my winter project would be my family's genealogy. I am trying to pick up where my elder brother left off or work with him on the project. He has done a lot of work, I am not sure if he is ready to let it go. He seemed to be happy that I wanted to tackle the project. So, it is ordered and will arrive within the next couple of weeks. If the weather turns bad then I have a nice inside project to keep myself occupied.

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Well, I had to jinx it. No, not Friday the 13th. The bit about my sweeper picking up pine needles. For about five years my daughter and I lived in a small apartment. Because of limited space we had a four-foot tall artificial tree. Since I purchased this house (in 2002) I have chosen a live tree every Christmas. Just like the ones I used to know. I have not had any problems with needles until this year. My sweeper just picked them right up, not much of a hassle. But this year, I waited too long. The tree was much drier than before. Oh - my - God!

I think I may need to purchase a new sweeper. I have even tried the attachments to pick them up. I think it just went into the hose and out the bottom of the sweeper. Humph! I am down to my last bag, and I am trying. What a mess. Yep, right before taking the tree down I had to go and say it. What did I say? "I don't know why people put a tree bag over their tree when taking it down. I only get a few needles and my sweeper picks them right up." Well, the gods are laughing at me, now. That will show me.

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I was viewing some movie trailer on QuickTime yesterday. I was nervous about the remake of The Pink Panther. But the trailer makes me really want to see it. Although not a big fan of Steve Martin, I agree that he is very funny and there are a couple of movies that I like him in. I was excited to see that Jason Statham is in it, along with Kevin Kline and Jean Reno. A couple of scary ones are Wolfcreek and The Hills have Eyes. I think I will pass on both of them. Ugh.

Curiosity

Jasper wants somebody to turn the water on. He always was curious about this. He does not like baths, but it has been a while since I gave him one, so he tends to forget what this tub is for.

Of course you can't turn the stream on too strong or he will run away. He also likes to watch the toilet flush. Casper will jump in the tub from time to time, but Precious - never.

What a wet, dreary day. During work hours it was nice and warm, but cloudy. Almost as soon as I get out of work it begins to pour the rain down and has not stopped. It is supposed to turn to snow overnight. Should make for a lovely week-end.

I have been trying to upgrade my daughter's anti-virus. Tomorrow was the last day. I am cutting it close. It was a bit of a hassle. If only I had remembered to uninstall the 2005 version before installing the 2006 one, I may have been okay. But no, I just jump right in. Two hours later I am finally on the full system scan with the new version. What a hassle this is.

I am proud of myself about one thing, though. While uninstalling the old Norton, it asked for the installation CD. I went straight to it. I have never been that organized with my disks before. I have them all in a binder, now. I did that this year. All my computer disks in one binder that holds like over 100 or something like that. I was amazed at myself. I used to spend hours looking for the installation disk.

I was considering dropping Norton and going with something else. I am partial because when I first began working with PC's I used Norton Disk Utilities. They worked really well. I understood them and they helped me to learn so much about the PC and Windows/DOS environment. I used to do so much with that package. So, Norton has been my choice for years. I understand that there have been some problems with the program recently. But, I stayed the course. I stayed with Norton.

I remember when Norton merged with Symantec. I also used a product called Fastback by Symantec. It was a backup program for the PC and Macintosh. Fifteen years ago or so. I guess we tend to stick with what we know or are used to. But working with computers, if you don't like change you should at least accept it. It is inevitable.

I like how Spell check keeps wanting to change my cat's name Casper to Gasper. I think I will just change it to that. He is the one that has hairball trouble a lot. He is very rarely allowed in my bedroom because of this. I have white carpet in there. He begins his hacking and I clap my hands together and he runs, hacking all the way. Well, they all run when I clap my hands.

The other day, I had yelled at him (remember the day without caffeine and I was super grouchy) and I saw him peeking around my bedroom door while I was on the computer and he hesitated for a second. Then he ran straight to my feet and rubbed up against them as if saying, "Let me stay. I'll be good!" I didn't have the heart to kick him out. Most of the time he curls up on his back with his paws twisted up in the air and lays at my feet. I have to sweep my bedroom carpet a lot. Why didn't I get a cream colored cat? Well, I do - Precious. But she isn't my big baby. I would let him sleep on the bed, but it never fails. He begins his hacking and I have to chase him out, so I just gently push him out every night.

Maybe I'll give them all a bath this week-end. Yikes, what am I saying? That is a lot of work. Maybe just two of them. I'll have my daughter take pictures. This should be fun.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia

Paraskevi...what? What a mouth full. It means a phobia or fear of Friday the 13th. I don't suffer from it. I love Friday's and I love the number 13.

There are many stories about how the omen of this day came about. Mostly the sixth day of the week and the number 13. Over thousands of years the two were bound to get together. Religion dwells on the twelve at the last supper and the 13th one betrayed Jesus. Mythology has the story of 12 gods dining and the 13th crashed the party. The list goes on.

I don't have a fear of black cats, either. As my big black baby Casper can tell you, I dote on him.

Reading up on this day and the omen, I found it quite amusing that so many people don't leave the house on that day. They skip work, they don't drive. The don't plan weddings, dinners or dates. Well, in Spain and Spanish speaking countries, I read where Tuesday the 13th is bad luck. So there you have it. If you're close to a Spanish border, go spend the day there - you should be safe. Just make sure you are back before any Tuesday that falls on the 13th.

java, jo, mud, ink, perk, dishwater

I am addicted to coffee. So, when I am sick and am resigned to a diet of jell-o, rice, dry toast, broth, applesauce and bananas - I tend to get real grouchy without my caffeine. My head feels as though somebody is chipping away at it with a hammer and chisel.

And, who in the HELL brought those danish pastries into the house? Huh? Taunting me. Sitting right beside the freaking coffee pot! I tried weak hot tea. It just doesn't do it for me.

Are the animals still alive? Yes, but they have run to their respective corners. I busted my knuckle wide open just cleaning out the sink. Why does the dish rag keep getting caught on everything? I kept spraying water all over the place as if I had never used my faucet before. Why was the water pressure so damn strong?! Why are dishes and silverware so loud when you drop them?! Is the world going insane? I threw a dish towel at Casper. "Stop looking at me!" Good Lord, I sounded like a toddler.

I slept most of my morning away, and napped this afternoon. So, who is going to be tossing and turning tonight? My skin is dry and itching. Where is the lotion that does NOT have perfume scent added to it? Perfumes kill me when I have a headache.

If I have to look at another serving of lime green jell-o I am going to scream! And, the rain just keeps pouring down. At least I don't have to shovel rain. But it is gray and depressing. I still have my tree and lights. Soft lights in the evening to push away the dull and dreary weather.

I don't even want to know what is happening (or not happening) at work. I felt so darn good yesterday evening. I was in some pain, but today I feel like I am totally washed out. Blah. No energy. I did get outside and chased my empty garbage cans. The wind had picked up and was rolling them around the street. I was hoping that nobody saw me. I looked like death warmed over. My retrieval finished uneventful.

There is one plus to being sick. I got the softest, warmest robe for Christmas that I have ever had. It is like luxury when you put it on. I have been able to cuddle up in it all day long. (Except when I chased the garbage cans. I did dress for that. Sheesh. I'm not that bad!)

Cat Scan

I had my first CT scan today. Interesting. The lady taking care of it was very nervous, though. It carried over to me. I think it was her first one. She had just moved back into the area from New England and she was not at all familiar with the equipment. She kept talking about how she wasn't familiar with this or that, which arm was my "good" arm for an IV? Uh, I haven't had an IV in about five years, so I am not really sure which one is my "good" vein. You know? And, she kept leaving the room mumbling something about she didn't know which to use... or what. I gathered everything I had inside of me (I was half sick from not eating food and drinking that wonderful barium stuff) and just went to a quiet place inside my head.

She got the IV going, the CT scan finished and I was out of there. Nothing hurt. She did fine. Perhaps my calmness carried over to her. She just seemed relieved that I didn't pass out. The CT machine had two capsules of smelling salts taped to it. She was the only one besides the receptionist that I ever saw. I wonder if it came down to it, if I would be able to administer the smelling salts to her. (Oh, it was for me? In case I passed out. Oh, I see.)

I have actually had a few procedures done. I've drank the barium stuff before. But, usually the night before and the tests were done in a hospital. State of the art, professional employees. I was just a bit suspect about this one. It wasn't dirty but it just wasn't up to snuff. I guess they needed to do it on short notice, I don't know. Anyway, I am getting some energy back. I am beginning to feel like my old ornery self again. Can't jump up and down on a pogo stick, but I can ....oh, wait. I never could jump up and down on a pogo stick! Drat! Oh, well. I'm getting back to the old routine.

Let me set the record straight...

Um...for the most part, we Ohioans bury our dead. Honest, we do.

Not like this story.

Still not up to par. Or, not running on all cylinders. However you want to phrase it, I am reserving my energy for work. Especially where the eyes are concerned.

Intense

Not much done this week-end. The migraine monkey has taken ahold of my eyeballs and is having his way with them. They are weak, exhausted and in such great pain. As soon as I find them and get them rested and well taken care of, I will post again.

Undecorating the tree

Tomorrow the lights come off of the tree and the tree goes out to the curb. I guess. If I have to. The cats say they want to help. Hmmm. Maybe. My dog doesn't want anything to do with it. (No food involved).

Well, it was fun while it lasted.

All smiles

Here is a photo of me when I was about eight years old. I am sitting behind my older sister. She was sixteen when I was born, so if I was eight - she would be 24 or so in this photo.

We were sitting on top of her car hood before the Memorial Day parade. I'm sure a lot of my smile was in anticipation of the candy that was going to be thrown our way.

I always thought my sister looked like Jacqueline Kennedy.




Jackie, sister, sister, Jackie

Get out, get air, get shots

I took Laura's advice today and went outside after work and took some pictures. I was trying to beat the sunset. I never did see the sun, but I did get some shots of a streetlight. War of the World's style. I always thought the creatures in the original version looked like street lights.

I got one shot of this horse before he became spooked by the click of my camera and ran away. Taking the miniature ponies with him.

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I didn't study economics in school, but the next few sentences just astound me.

"If someone has a $1,000 balance and pays $15 a month, it would take 17 years and cost about $3,000 in principal and interest, he said. Paying $20 a month would take seven years and cost $1,750 in interest. "

"The average household carries about $9,000 in debt, excluding mortgages."

I guess I am not average.

"There's no shame in getting into trouble like this. We've all done it."

No, we haven't.

In the late 80's I was doing my bills one day and became discouraged thinking that for the rest of my life I will have credit card debt. That was just the way it was. I was wrong. I just needed to get out of a dead-end relationship.

Rain o'er me

Looks as if my patio gutter is in need of some repair. I neglected to clean the leaves out from underneath the extension of the drain and here is the result.

It is wet in Ohio. From what I am seeing (reading) on the news it looks as it if is damn near wet everywhere.

What is the old saying? Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Actually, I think that was said by somebody out at sea.Sigh. Anyway. It is ugly out there. My backyard is a small pool of water. My dog, she doesn't want to go out. I can't blame her.

I had a long talk with my daughter's boyfriend's Mom last night. Sixty minutes. Possibly four minutes of that was about our children's relationship and how we can maintain it.

January is going to be a lo-o-o-ng month. Probably February, too. I must keep myself from hiding my head under the blankets and blocking life out. SAD sets in.

Kick myself in the butt. Kick myself again. Go get some coffee. Go to work. Shalom.

Edit: My apologies to those in Texas and Oklahoma. Yes, some of us are soaked with rain, but some of us are in the midst of a dry spell with fires raging all around uncontrollably. It is just one big mess out there.

Give me a call sometime.

I was intrigued by the news today:

Touching cat story about dialing 9-1-1 to help his owner.

The owner said he had trained the cat to dial 9-1-1- but didn't know if it stuck or not. Supposedly, it did.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1462424

How do you train a cat to dial 9-1-1? Every time he is successful do you tell the 9-1-1- operator, "Sorry. No emergency. Just training my cat!"

Huh?

Or, do you use a dead phone? One that isn't hooked up?

So when do you hook it up and how can you keep the animal from dialing it like say -- when you're in the bathroom? Or, when you are sleeping? How does the cat know when to dial it?

I mean, do they write manuals on how to do this?

Telemarketing firms pay attention! Cheap labor!

But you wonder. Did the owner dial it and not remember?

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Who's loading your airplane?

Jobs are hard to come by these days. Have you ever been afraid of losing your job? How about being so afraid to the point of endangering lives?

A guy loading an airplane, had punctured the fuselage and just kind of pushed it back together. He didn't tell anyone, because he was afraid of losing his job.

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Travel/story?id=1448260

So, when the plane took off the hole widened causing depressurization, making a hole in the compartment forcing an emergency landing.

Could have been MUCH worse!

"Yeah, I punctured the plane, but maybe nobody will notice!"

I wonder what he did after he loaded the plane.

Go on about his job?

Sit nervously by the television watching the news?

Go to confession?

How about "leave the country!?"

The Magic (school) bus

I started this yearly portrait school bus years before my daughter started school. She had two years of pre-school and one of kindergarten. This bus only starts the portraits with 1st grade.

I don't have it updated with her 9th grade photo, yet. It looks pretty much the same as the 8th grade one.

There was plenty of drama yesterday. So much in fact, it all made my stomach hurt. That could have been the rich foods I was eating, though. I have kraut and a pork roast in the slow cooker. I had a taste of it last night. I wonder if my dog would eat kraut if I offered it to her. No doubt. She eats almost anything. I did see her spit out a radish, though. That is one of my "silent" resolutions. To stop feeding her and my cats people food. I have already started that, about two months ago. I know! I know! I'm not proud of it. But, I am going to try to be a better person to my pets.

Sigh. Sunday. New Year's day. I didn't promise anybody any visits this year. That makes me feel better. I can sit around in my robe all day if I want to. Work tomorrow. My daughter doesn't have school until Tuesday. We are going to have to get serious about her grades. Slipping a bit. I was an A/B student. I always thought I wouldn't ride her about grades, but I can't let it go. She doesn't even try (in my eyes). She said she works hard for them. I don't see it. She rarely brings any books home.

Coffee doesn't seem to be working today. It is just kind of sitting in my stomach. My daughter woke me up at 5:30 a.m. saying her boyfriend was upset and wanted to come over. "I don't think so." I was half asleep and mumbled something about a more decent hour. I got up at nine and I guess he arrived at 8:30. To her that was a decent hour. They are having problems. There are going to be some more changes in that area, too.

My poor daughter thinks I am jealous. She thinks that her boyfriend takes her away from me and that makes me jealous. She also keeps throwing up the fact that just because I didn't have a boyfriend at fourteen, I don't understand how she feels. Our therapist says she would make a great defense attorney. And, she tries to marry me off. Each time I happen to mention a man, as an example somebody I work with, she retorts "You should marry him!" She is so desperate to get me involved so that I can back off of her activities. Ain't gonna happen. She is a full time job. I told her I am going to be all over her like stink on stank. Who knows where that expression came from!

Eighteen years

I am really good at mistaking one actor/actress for another. Many times the family and I have gone a couple of rounds. I always think I am right. Until Google. Now, I find out I am wrong once in a while. Well, humble pie is best eaten warm.

I didn't discuss this one with other family members, but stumbled across it on my own. The movie is Beetle Juice. The actress I thought played Juno was Bette Davis. When, in fact it was Sylvia Sidney. I think I may be a bit justified in my mistake. The above pictures were from their earlier days and when Sylvia played in Beetle Juice she was much, much older. It is the eyes, I think. That is Bette on the left and Sylvia on the right. The movie came out eighteen years ago.


Hey, I think I see why I was mistaken. The character Juno is on the left and Bette is on the right.

In King Kong I couldn't place the actor who played Jack Driscoll, but knew I had seen him in something before. Turns out he played Noah in The Village. Sharp features. Somebody left The House of D at my house over the holidays. I am trying to watch it, but can't get into it.

I am staying alcohol-free tonight. There is much drama going on in my teenage daughter's life the past day and by the time I pick her up at the dance tonight at about one in the morning, I will probably be wishing I was smashed. I won't be sorry tomorrow, though.

Gotto go! The movie The House of D just got interesting. His Mom OD'd on pills, ended up in a coma and he is going to disconnect her respirator. Later!

Saw the Kong

Saw the Kong today. It was loud. If you didn't have a headache before you went into the theater, chances are you'll have one when you get out. I knew it was going to be long.

It is basically cut up into three sections. One - building up to the boat trip, Two - the boat trip to the Island and on the Island, and Three - in Hollywood after the capture of the giant Kong.

It was a bit more touching than I anticipated. They throw some comedy into this one. It was sure nice to see this fellow again. I ain't saying I was addicted to Early Edition but I was probably pretty close to it for a couple of years, anyway.

Getting up to leave the theater my foot kicked something. I bent down to pick up my daughter's new camera that she got for Christmas. We were half way home before she realized that she didn't have it. Well, guess who has it now? She can use the keychain one that I got for $15 bucks.

Going in for the kill

Here is Casper going in for the kill. He was playing with the wrist strap from my camera and he is on my lap so this picture is sort of a close up. Never mind where those claws were going to land.

I've had cats before, but always outside cats. So, this hairball thing is new to me. Along with finding the outer casings of their claws. I had no idea that they shed their claws like that. I purchase the catfood with hairball formula and I have purchased a gel from the vet's office that I am supposed to put on their paws to be licked off. I don't do it.

The food takes care of things pretty well, as long as I don't cave and get stupid and give them people food. I am much, much better than I used to be. They get nothing from me anymore. Now, I have to learn to not feed them each and every time I go to the kitchen. I am not doing them any favors.

Speaking of people food:
I've been reading a blog about a man on a quest to figure out why he has such a hard time with his weight. He is on quite a journey. It is titled "www.thefatmanwalking.com" He has had quite a time of it, I have to say. He may pass very close to my neck of the woods on his journey. He is originally from Youngstown, Ohio, but said he may not pass through his hometown. The ups and downs of his travels make it more than just a process of losing weight. I guess that is why it is gaining in such popularity.

I can't understand my high school friend that I posted about last week. About three years ago I called her up and she talked like she wanted to get together, blah, blah blah and how we had so much catching up to do. She had said she was going out of the country for two weeks but would call me when she returned. I waited. Nothing. I am not listed so I figure maybe she has lost my number. I called her and left a message on her answering machine. Still, nothing.

Three years go by. I decided to give her another try. I found her e-mail and sent her a message. She returned my e-mail saying that she was very interested in getting together and chatting. She has been having a rough time adjusting to her new home and missing her old life, etc.. She sounded rather blue. I e-mailed her back saying that I could meet, just let me know when and where since we are only ten miles apart or so. Again, nothing. Of course, I will give her some more time, but that is it. The ball is in her court.

It is going to be a quiet New Years. My daughter is at that age where I am really needed at home. So she isn't tempted to bring her boyfriend into the house when I am not home. I have had my days (and nights) of visiting and parties and for her teenage years I need to be here to make sure no hanky panky goes on. And here is where I will be.

When I was younger I used to watch the movie "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" with quite a slew of stars in it on New Year's Eve. Once my boyfriend, sister and I were driving back to Virginia after a ten day visit in Ohio, and came home to find our electricity had been cut off accidentally. We arrived right on New Year's eve. That was pretty low. We lost the turkey in the freezer. Bummer beginning of 1987. That year didn't get much better, I have to tell you.

I am not one for resolutions. I do remember the first New Year that I started with no debt. It astounded me. I thought that couldn't happen. What a great feeling. I try to make that my New Year goal every year. (Well, you know except for big loans like my house and car). The car has been paid off for a few years now, but I'll have another one soon enough. My daughter will be starting to drive in the next two years. Yee Haw!

The day

Still rushing, but not as much. I am not sure about this evening's plans. I did get a fair amount of sleep last night, so I am not as frazzled today.

Here is a photo I took from my sister's t.v. on Christmas day. Can you tell from which popular holiday movie it is? Think de-coder ring.

Our tree this year. No top. Couldn't find it. It must be with the lights. I bought all new lights, but I really like the silvery blue angel I put at the top and I am not replacing it. It will show up eventually. Maybe she didn't like that joke I made last year about how the angel got to be on top of the tree. Bah!

I never did get to fixing that lasagna. Maybe this evening. If I can manage to stay home. I have all the ingredients. Most of the people I was fixing for have gone home, though. My daughter and I want to go to the movies and see King Kong. I hope to get there this week.

She called me saying she could not get the pictures to download onto her PC.

Yes, she had the cable plugged into the USB port. Yes, she installed the software. Yes, yes, yes. Oh! I remember. The camera has to be in "view picture" mode. Slide the button over.

She said "The camera isn't on."

Uh. Honey. How did you expect the pictures to get to your PC without the camera being on?

She turned it on. Okay, it works, now. Gee. Sad thing is this is the most trouble-shooting I have done all week.

Dashing

My daughter shows her "Wow, that is awesome!" face.

Now, I know why they use the word dashing in the Christmas carols. We're off again this evening - dashing through the 'rain' to another dinner.

I worked today so extra time was spent sleeping instead of blogging. Lot's of pictures, but not ready to post.

Big breath, and GO!

Tree topper

Since I never found my blue angel that goes atop my tree, will this star do?

Sable says, "Uh, Mommy? I see presents under the tree with my name on them. Umm, when? When can I open them? I am being patient."

Mix it up

Yep. There you go. A little Santa, a little snowmen and the Nativity. Icicle lights and spiral trees. This house isn't as congested as some on down the road. Traffic was irritated at me so this was the best that I got out of the bunch.

I am going to have to hoof it for a better view. I don't know if I'll have time to get out, but I sure am going to try because there are some beautiful homes in my area.

I thought I was done shopping until my daughter informed me that I purchased the wrong video game for her boyfriend. Back out into the wild we go. Lines were long but people were in good spirits. I was just having fun. For some really insane reason I love to be out among the shoppers when I am relaxed and all my gifts are purchased. I sat and drank my iced mocha while people watching. The children are the greatest. (When they aren't tired and cranky). They were skipping and squealing with delight. I didn't see one angry person today. Even the cashiers were merry.

I sat on a bench and waited while my daughter did some last minute shopping. Then there is tomorrow. I plan to stay home and clean the house tomorrow. Bake a few more batches of cookies and I am baking a lasagna. Yep, I am skipping the turkey and ham. My sister will have that on Sunday. I was trying to think of something that my family could enjoy so that it wouldn't make them sick of turkey and ham. I decided Italian was the way to go.

Sign I saw in a shop today:

I love giving home-made gifts. Which child do you want?

Ins and Outs

Going shopping with my sister today in Canton. Think I can stay away from "here" ???

I'm sure to stay away from this place.

I'll be close to it though, so I'm sure to get stuck in traffic. Ugh.

One gift. That's all I need. One more person to buy for. I can't find anything in my area, so I agreed to go with my sister to the busiest, craziest, congested place within a two hundred mile radius.

Nuts, we are. I'll have a super-size order of patience for breakfast, please. With a side of humor.

Epitome of Procrastination

Never mind the fact that Christmas is now less than four days away. Never mind the fact that I only have half my cookies baked. Never mind the fact that I have no gifts wrapped. No, never mind all of that. I sit and work on my web page and the old family album. Why? Because I can and I am feeling nostalgic. Also, never mind the fact that I am in none of the photos in this collage. Kicking myself for not writing this stuff down when my Mom was alive. Siblings memories are hazy. People names we can do. Places, pets and time is evading us.

I purchased stocking stuffers today. I heard a couple of crying children but for the most part, people were still okay. There is so much of the conversing on cell phones, now. Making sure they get exactly what they are supposed to, I guess. Not idle chit chat. Mostly planning and getting the facts right. How many times (before cell phones) did you ask yourself, 'Now, what size does he/she wear?' Yep. Call somebody who knows.

I'm free!

Well, at least until Monday the 26th. And, only free from work. I still have to shop, wrap, clean, bake and entertain.

And, taxi. Must drive my daughter here, there and everywhere.

I received an e-mail from a long-lost friend. We were best friends in high school and went our separate ways after graduating. Came to discover she lives only twelve miles away. I can't wait to play catch up with her.

Don't "Scrooge the day!"

Sometimes I feel as though I am in the Twilight Zone. I have been known to be a "space cadet" to coin a phrase from the 80's. Although, usually I am pretty sane and level headed. Let's just say I don't get called a "ditz" very often.

But, sometimes I wonder where I come up with stuff. I am sensitive to the fact that I don't want to steal somebody else's' thunder.

There came a time when my sister showed me a poem. I read it and said "Wow. That is nice." She looked at me and said "You wrote it." I re-read it. It did sound familiar. I could recall trying to rhyme certain words in the poem, but actually writing it? I didn't really remember. Reading that poem inspired me to write more and thus began a few years of much poetry writing. Like my paintings they are very personal and very private and I don't like to share them. They are my "pain" and I am embarrassed by my pain. Uncomfortable with others seeing my pain.

So, that is what I mean by sometimes I question myself as to whether I coined the phrase or not. There is a phrase that comes to mind around Christmas that I use and I "googled" it to see if it was a common phrase out there. I couldn't find where anybody else has used it.

One time I was getting ready for a company holiday lunch. I am the type of person who likes to get little puzzles, quizzes and games together (especially trivia) to lighten up the get-togethers. One of the office managers came over to me while I was making copies of the puzzles. He never said "Merry Christmas" or anything festive. He started right in telling me about a client who was dropping us. I could see he was troubled and I sympathized by letting him rant on and on. When he was finished he walked away. I continued making my copies, but I was spent. My holiday spirit was gone. He had " scrooged my day."

Now, this is where I am wondering. Did I hear this phrase somewhere before? Say it as you would say "Seize the day."

So, in a manner of speaking he had "ruined my day" but since it was close to Christmas and it was a "Bah humbug!" feeling, I instantly thought to myself 'he scrooged my day.'

Well, I can't find any other reference to it, so it may have popped into my head on it's own. Sometimes I just don't know and I don't like saying I came up with an expression if I didn't.

It reminds me of a story I read about Sarah Ferguson. She wrote a children's book with a helicopter in it and it was claimed to be very similar to a book that had already been written. Maybe she didn't mean to copy, but the idea had remained in her head and when she wrote one - out it came. This story tells about Sarah and the book.

So, that is why when I write a poem or something similar, I want to make sure I didn't steal the idea from somebody else. It would really "scrooge my day!" And if it isn't really "my" expression, I apologize most sincerely for even thinking that it was.

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I found out this evening via e-mail that the hospitals didn't want the toys we wrapped up for the children at the get together on the tenth of this month. They try really hard to send the kids home for the occasion (and rightfully so).

My friends found a policeman who handed the gifts out to families in need. His co-workers came up with a list of families. It just warmed my heart. I thought "How very nice. Who would know better than the city policemen as to who is really in need." I hope we can continue this event every year.

The tree is lit!

Finally. We have lights on the tree. I told my daughter she couldn't go anywhere today until the lights were on the tree.

Casper wanted to know if it was okay to play.

Supper time!

Oh, the weather outside is frightful. But, inside is so delightful.
And, since we've no place to go...
Let's eat.

A little chicken... I enjoy a boneless, skinless breast lightly fried in olive oil with Italian seasoning and placed on top of scalloped potatoes and baked .


A little garlic bread...

A little wine...

...and hidden cookies. So the kids won't find them. My CD player is supplied with plenty of holiday music to keep me in the mood.

Up went the tree

I stopped at Lowe's on the way home from work and bought all new lights. I wrestled the tree into the stand and up it went. A little bit crooked, but it will do for now.

I had some observers, but they hung back. They didn't want to jump in right away. But, they do want to inspect this foreign object in our living room. Smells good. Not sure about the taste. I don't want any needle deposits on my carpet if you know what I mean.

Jasper went for the red plastic cover of one of the tree stand screws. The red from one of the lights lit the front of his nose up like Rudolph. He will have a time living this one down. The other cats are so going to make fun of him and call him names.

Casper, on the other hand went for the green pine needles. They are sharp. I didn't pick the tree, my daughter and her beau did. I used to always get the soft, long-needle pine trees. My brother got me in that habit. Easier on the arms and bare hands when you decorate it. Less prickles.

For the past couple of years, I have been experimenting with different types of needles to see which one I like best. And, since my daughter volunteers to put the lights and other decorations on the tree, I really don't have to worry about it. I just get the sucker in the stand and make sure it is watered. They take it from there. Sweet!

Well, kids. It's up. Have at it. I'm going to bake cookies and wrap. Wrap and bake. Bake and wrap.

Bewitched movie is lame-o

I watched the movie version of Bewitched. I was afraid to and I had reason to be. It was very lame. Flat. Like flat ginger ale. No bubble, no fizz. I went into the movie knowing that I don't care for Will Ferrell or Nicole Kidman. And, what with the sidekick, Ritchie (played by Jason Schwartzman)? Were they making fun of Tom Cruise? I thought the movie made him out to be a Tom look-alike.

The story lines of Iris and Nigel went nowhere. Iris being a real witch went nowhere. The story line of Ritchie and Nina also went nowhere. Pfffttt!