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!

Thirty years and still good

I have been making this fried rice for thirty years now. I began in 1975 when I worked as a short-order cook in a bar/restaurant when I was fifteen. I worked for a Vietnamese lady. Her name was Tu. She is somewhere in Las Vegas the last I heard. That was weird, the instant I typed "Las Vegas" the announcer for Wheel of Fortune said it right along with me.

I make rice the long way. (Minute rice will work, though). It is best if you let the rice cool overnight in the refrigerator before you fry it up. (But I couldn't wait another day for it). I then chop up pieces of ham. This ham was really good because it was the left over from Thanksgiving (it had been in the freezer). I also chop up green pepper and sometimes celery (if I have it) and I add a jar or a can of mushroom pieces. I start with olive oil in the frying pan and add the ham next. Next is the green pepper and celery and then mushrooms. The rice is added last. I generously shake garlic salt into the dish while I am frying it.

You can substitute chicken for ham. You can also use scrambled eggs. I suppose you could also add onion. We used this in the restaurant as our side dish for the seafood platter. That was the dish with all the breaded seafood we had. Fish, shrimp, scallops, clam strips. I loved it when somebody ordered this dish because I always fixed extra pieces for the cook. (ME!)

My brother and niece like this dish with soy sauce. I think that makes it too salty with the garlic salt. I had it for dinner this evening, but it makes a great breakfast food.

I can't find my tree lights. I must have four to six sets of lights. Where they are is anybody's guess. I took all the decorations out and I have been through all ten boxes of stuff. I have some strong smells coming from the boxes. I have one big box for trash. I am pitching a lot of my older stuff that has no sentimental value or is beyond recognition.

The lights remain lost. I guess I get to buy new lights, now. They will show up after the holidays I suppose.

Well, I got my wish today. They closed all schools in a fifty mile radius. Now we have another weather advisory issued. This might be one long week-end. I made up two more batches of the rolled sugar cookies we made last week. Both batches are in dough form still and chilling in the refrigerator. I found cookie cutters in the shape of a star, Christmas tree, flower and many hearts. That will add some variety. I hope this batch makes it to the holidays. I'll try to freeze some or hide them.

And my CD sets that I made are working their magic on me. I am so in the mood for baking and decorating. My new favorite Christmas carol is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation theme song. It is very lively and joyful.

Talk to the hand

So, it's like this y'see? I'm a-tellin' 'em you gots to do it this a-way. See? An' then when that's done, y'uns gots to go here, see?

Looks like she is going to talk witha her hands. See?

I want enough icy weather tomorrow to close the schools, but not icy enough to make it dangerous for nervous drivers out there. I remember driving on ice. Wow. Years ago. When the rain comes down and freezes so fast you don't have time to plan. That was before the weather channel. Mostly even before weather warnings and such. You just got in your car and took the chance. I always lived so far out in the country my drive was usually forty to fifty minutes to work. The ice was the trickiest.

I get a catalog today (well, I get quite a few of them almost every day around this season). It is from amazon.com. There is a software package that I want in there and it is on sale. I go to the web site to order it. The web site has it posted for more than the catalog ad. I look closely at the ad and read the fine print on the back. Prices good through December 12th. WTF? It's the 14th and I am just now getting the catalog. I just read the top - it reads HURRY, Sale ends December 12, 2005. Thanks for nothing Postal service!

My sister (who works at the Post office, but not in my town) was telling me that the Post office is cutting her hours yet again. Mail is not getting out on time. Credit card payments, first class stuff. She says they just aren't getting it. There is mail piling up but she is getting cut. I wanted to pay my bills through the post office so I can keep some family members in business, but if my payments aren't getting to their destination on time and crap like this - then I am switching to on-line paying. I have had pretty good luck with their service, but if I have to mail things out ten days early - you can think again.

You're freakin' me out, man!

This photo of my brother and his step-grandson freaks me out. Which is what I said about a week ago when I came out of the restroom of my local grocery store into the outside room where we wash our hands and saw a man with a beard washing his hands.

I stopped dead at the door. I can't recall exactly what was going through my mind, but it was something like "Okay, where is the camera?"

He acted like I was the one in the wrong bathroom. I was pretty sure I was in the Women's because of the flower arrangement they place on the shelf. I said "Well, I don't think it really matters." And, I proceeded to wash my hands. And, then I said "You're freakin' me out, man!" I walked out the door and looked at the sign. Yep, WOMEN.

And, the reason I mentioned "beard" is because sometimes you can't tell if a person is a woman or a man anymore, but the beard was a dead give away.

Back to the photo. The little boy wants to be just like his step grandpa. He does everything the same and follows him around like a shadow. This must be the mask firefighters wear when they go into a burning building. Of course the hose to the mouthpiece is missing. But, I think my brother is a little undone up on the top.

Pink baby

As if there wasn't enough pink for little girls, I have to go and tint her pink. My one sister finally got to see Rylee (who is six weeks old, now). This sister's only child is a male and is now twenty-eight. But, she did have my girl a few times, so she has had some baby time since then.

Well, I am cleaning up the kitchen tonight and I setup the coffee pot for tomorrow morning. I set my alarm for 6 a.m. and hit the snooze sometimes. My coffee pot is set to brew coffee at six.

I proceed to my computer to catch up on e-mail and read and post blogs. I smell coffee. Mmmm, it smells good. What did I do? I pushed the button to ON instead of AUTO. Darn! I can't drink coffee this late. I turn the pot off and laugh at myself. When it cools I will dump it down the sink. I am not one to re-heat cooked coffee in the micro wave. Forget that! So I proceed to my computer and eat a piece of chocolate candy. Homemade from a friend. How much caffeine is in that? Did I stop at one? Of course not! I am a red blooded American female! Two pieces, how much caffeine is that? I quit. It made me too thirsty.

I made room for the tree in the living room this evening. I had to move furniture around. Seems we added something since last year. I had to clean, too. We have the tree. It is out on the back porch. I hope nobody takes it. One year somebody took my Mom's tree off of her porch. I have to dig out the tree stand too.

To get in the mood, I have my holiday CD's playing. I am cutting and pasting them so that I have a CD with just the songs I like off of all of them. I have about fifteen Christmas CD's. Some I don't like half the songs on them. I can't stand it when a singer takes the carol and begins adding trills and la la's where there are not supposed to be any. I cannot stand Mariah Carey! She ruins every song I have ever heard her sing. (In my humble opinion.) I happen to be in the minority though, because of her record sales. More power to her and to the people that like her music.

My favorites are the Peanuts gang music from the television special. I could listen to that CD all day long. I usually like Dean Martin, but he ruins Rudolph for me. Calling him Rudy and trying to jazz it up or something. Maybe those drinks he held in his hands were real. And there is a techno version of Jingle bells that I just hate on one of my CD's. It is horrendous.

I was shopping the other day and the store was playing music. The group singing was horrid. I looked at a few people standing around me and I said "I don't think these people ever sang together before" motioning to the crap coming from the speakers. They laughed. It was that bad!

I do like the choirs and a cappella. And the older crooners like Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Bing Crosby, Elvis and Tony Bennett. I will keep a couple of Nat's, but some I don't like. I really get into Brenda Lee's Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree. And I DO like Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer by the Irish Rovers. I'm not a complete prude. I just don't like a singer trying to get every note in the octave into one syllable. And, I can't stand Santa Baby. Let's just make all grown women sound like little baby girls wanting men to always buy them something. I can't stand that method of thinking. Bah humbug! Whoops. My slip is showing.

Toodles.

Fun in the snow.

Some deer were having a romp in the snow. Just get off the roads! I was a passenger this time so I was able to get better pictures. That is a big snow flake (not a comet or the moon) above the deer. And, those aren't stars - more snow flakes.

My battery was dead (but, of course) and this was the only decent shot I got. Bah!

I did get quite a few of my darling Rylee, though. I will post them on my web page (follow the link on the right column titled 'See More of my Photos') when I get the chance. Just too darn tired right now. Need sleep.