Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas to all of my fellow bloggers out there! If you don't celebrate Christmas, have a Happy Hanukkah, or a Merry Kwanza. If you do or don't celebrate any of the above, I wish you a Very Happy New Year!

My Jewish friends tell me that Hanukkah is really a relatively minor Jewish holiday, but it has expanded in this country due to the overwhelming Christmas/Santa Claus celebrations. Any way you look at this time of year, the holidays that are celebrated celebrate miracles and blessings of God. That is a good thing.

I will be back posting after Christmas. As I indicated previously, I will be posting about "Irreconcilable Differences..." and perhaps will have a limerick or two for you as well.

Coming Soon...

Irreconcilable Differences

Such Fun

It has been a tough couple of days for me, but I am finally beginning to feel back to normal! Yesterday morning, very early, I started a "prep" for a colonoscopy. A different prep than I have done before. The doctor keeps trying different preps to see if we can find one that doesn't keep me vomiting half the night before the procedure. He is going to have to look again!

Yesterday morning I had to take a couple of laxative tablets and then go to work as normal. There was nothing normal about work after 11:30 yesterday morning. Last night at 6:00 I started drinking the yucky stuff mixed in Gatorade... 8 ounces every 15 minutes. It should take about an hour, but it took me 1 1/2 hours. Then I was supposed to drink another 32 ounces of gatorade, 8 ounces every 15 minutes over the next hour. It took over 1 1/2 hours. I never got the last 4 ounces down before I started vomiting. I vomited off and on for the next two hours, and then again around midnight. And then, just for good measure, at 1:00 am I had another visit to the porcelain god.

Seeing as how the prep was supposed to cause things to evacuate my body from the other end, that took place as well. It becomes very futile to try to predetermine whether to sit or stand when things keep happening at the same time. You'd think with all of our ability to do fabulously wondrous scientific things, that someone, somewhere, would figure out a better plan. It's not like this was my first time around. If I remember correctly, this was my 7th colonoscopy. It's no better now that the first time.

I am grateful, however, that after the first test, every test has shown me to be free from the nasty cancerous polyps they found the first time around. But still, I think I would rather go through labor and have a baby at the end to make it worth the effort. With this all I get at the end is a report that I am still A-OK and a lot of bathroom cleaning. I guess things could be worse, and I shouldn't complain as long as a get a good report... I take that back. I should complain. Maybe then they will invent a better procedure!

Okay. If you haven't quit reading this post due to the subject, I will tell you that I did get a great nap out of it all and only lost one day's wages. Tonight, as I feel more with it, I will wrap some more Christmas and Hanukkah presents and try to have a yummy supper. Then I will light a fire in the fireplace (fake log... it isn't that cold!), turn on the light on the Christmas tree, sip some hot beverage, listen to Christmas music and maybe watch some TV. Tomorrow it is back to work.

Where Did The Weekend Go?

This weekend is over, and I still have not completed what I wanted to get done this weekend. I would be in bed trying to get to sleep, but I am waiting for my bed sheets to finish drying in the dryer. This will not be a long post!

After I got back this morning (well is was actually after noon) from church and a quick breakfast at a local eatery, I did get to watch most of the Bucs game today and was thrilled to see them win this must-win game. I would love to see the Bucs and the Colts in the Superbowl. THAT would be quite a game!

The rest of the day I putzed around trying to get Christmas stuff organized and wrapped, I went to the grocery store, I brought my orchids inside because the temperature is going to drop into the 40s tonight, I sorted through and put away some laundry, I installed an updated firewall and virus protection on my computer, and the next thing I knew it was time for the 11:00 news! So here it is approaching midnight, and I am thinking...

Hi There!

Sorry... I know I have been a delinquent blogger. It's not that I have been too busy...

My shopping list is complete and checked twice. Everything is ready to wrap...

I do need to find a few more stocking stuffers...

We purchased some new lights for the tree this year and they are on the tree...

Tomorrow I will begin to decorate the tree, put up the rest of the Christmas decorations, and get some of the package wrapping done...

So, tonight I will share some Thanksgiving photos with you and write about whatever else comes to mind...

Obligatory annual Thanksgiving pose


Getting started with some oyster shucking


"JPR" of Lemming Fodder in a supervisory capacity


river view


Annie Oakley at target practice


"L" helping Matt by stirring the gravy


"L" with one of her yummy apple pies


Koko and Ally cuddling in a quiet moment


"L" taking a breather


Time out for some beverage of choice

Looking at these pictures, you might wonder why I have extra pictures of "L" and am lacking photos of some of the other participants of the feast. Actually the batteries on my camera quit on me, and I had to depend on other people for these photos. Bummer. I will try to do better for Christmas.

We did get some other pictures taken after we put up the Christmas tree the other day.

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse...


Well, not exactly...








Bah Humbug

The cats are actually enjoying the tree... Scud looks upon it as his own private jungle from which he can spring at any wild roaming ankles that happen to go by. Koko just likes to nip at Scud as he scoots by in ankle-attack mode.

Hmmm... I think I am going to go to bed... not much on my mind tonight... perhaps tomorrow will bring some words of wisdom to mind.

"Seasoning"

The Thanksgiving holidays were super with lots of family, friends and scrumptious food. "L" baked some yummy apple pies this year, and I did the pumpkin pies, cranberry sauce, green beans with tomatoes and bacon. (I will probably post the recipe sometime later this week along with some others) Son Matthew did the gravy as usual... always yummy! My sister helped out with the turkey and dressing, sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes. Friday night we did the usual seafood and campfire at Aunt Betty Ann's place on the river... lots of fresh oysters, stone crab claws (my very favorite seafood!), corn on the cob, and S'mores. I gained 6 pounds during the time period from Wednesday to Sunday. Yes, it was great!

This past week has been busy with catching up at work and preparing the house for the Christmas season. Today we got the tree and it is currently in the tree stand with water all ready for lights and ornaments. Tonight I will put up some more decorations around the house and get some floor cleaning done. Sort of spring cleaning in December... everything that has been overlooked previously during the year gets spruced up for Christmas.

Himself seems to be less grumpy than usual, so that is a plus. He is even tackling a yucky job... pulling up some old carpet and padding in Ally's room which also involves prying up the carpet tacking. We are not going to re-carpet that room... may do tile or something else.

This will probably be our last Christmas in this house which is a bit sad. The kids grew up here and don't remember Christmas anywhere else. No telling where we will be this time next year. So I intend to make this year as grand as I can... not with presents, but with enjoying the presence of all the family that gathers here. That is the best part!

Things Have Been A Bit Up In The Air Of Late, But I Will Be Back Soon!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I will be very busy over the next few days getting ready for Thanksgiving and spending time with my family. This is the only the oly time of year that I get to see my sister and her husband who have flown in from California. The Kids will all arrive by tomorrow and the festivities will begin! So I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday. I will post after the holiday weekend, but between now and then I will not be spending much time on the computer.

<:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~ <:3)~

Shut-Eye Disclosures A La Green Eyed Lady

Shut-Eye Disclosures

1) How many pillows do you sleep on?
One

2) Do you sleep in the nude?
Not normally

3) Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?
As a child I did, and I still have some stuffed animals. The main mouse is on the bed when it is made, but I do not sleep with any stuffed animals.

4) Do you use a top sheet?
Yes, and a comforter or light blanket. I need a certain amount of weight on me to feel comfortable... even in the summer. Thank God for air conditioning!

5) Do you fall asleep to the TV?
Yes, most of the time. I put the sleep timer on and rarely am aware of the TV turning off.

6) Do you remember your dreams?
Sometimes I do, but usually just the dreams I have when I am partially awake

7) Do you sleepwalk?
Nope!

8) Do you snore?
When I am congested I snore. I don't hear it, but I hear about it! ;o)

9) Do you braid your hair before going to bed?
I haven't had braids since I was in second grade!

10) Do you wear socks to bed?
A few nights a year when it is cold (below 40 degrees)

11) Do you hug and kiss your pillow (still)?
No. I don't think I ever did!

12) Do you eat in bed?
No, but I do keep water next to the bed to drink at night.

13) What size is your bed?
King size, but I only use 1/3 of it. My cats are bed hogs.

14) Do your kids sleep with you?
No, and they never did.

15) Are you a normal, light, or heavy sleeper?
I have cycles where I get into a deep sleep, but I tend to be a light sleeper. I think it comes from listening for children in the middle of the night for so many years.

16) Do you have nightmares?
Rarely... usually my dreams are more weird than scary. Recently I have been dreaming about doing pie charts for the parish financial report. I think I need to get a life!

17) What's the best amount of sleep for you to feel good the next day/night?
Seven hours usually works for me, although I often function on much less.

18) Can you see in the dark?
Somewhat. It helps if I open my eyes.

19) Do you fantasize in your sleep?
Yes, but not necessarily sexual fantasies. I fantasize about all sorts of things, especially about having marvelous powers of persuasion or having brilliant answers... or rescuing someone from a disaster... that type of thing. I seem to enjoy being in control or a heroine in my fantasies. I guess that means I perceive a lack of control in my waking hours.

Not Quite A Rhodent Rant

This is not quite a rant. I am not angry, just rather annoyed... perhaps a bit perplexed. The newer versions of the drug commercials on TV have really been getting on my nerves.

It used to be that they would advertise some new drug and claim that it cures everything but housemaid's knee. If you want to cure housemaid's knee, you will need to try their non-drowsy formula with the stomach-protecting coating. Then there was the routine of "don't forget to ask your doctor about..." where the purpose of the drug is not revealed. The viewer is left wondering what on earth the drug is supposed to fix because they never say for what purpose it is to be prescribed! Sure, you are going to go to your doctor and tell him/her that you need this drug even though you have no idea what it does! I guess you are supposed to go to your doctor and ask him what it does. He probably doesn't know yet either! More recently a drug would be mentioned with all of the usual claims, and then at the end of the commercial some man would report the negative side effects at a speed so fast that no one could understand him... well maybe an auctioneer could figure some of it out.

Now we have the newest form of the drug commercials... The drug is introduced to the viewer by a pleasing voice with wonderful scenery and very good looking people. Then at the end of the commercial a very friendly female voice recites the entire list of bad side effects in such a way that if you are only half listening, you would think that these were good things to experience... Like, isn't it wonderful that you could experience shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, heart attack, or even (if you are lucky) death! And if you are listening closely, you have to ask yourself why these are considered good things, because clearly, the female voice seems to indicate they are desirable! What idiocy!

Ok. I'm done.

Uh Oh - Part 2

I was appropriately and sincerely contrite. I briefly explained the problem without too many details. Himself was clearly not pleased with my gift card news, but he did accept my suggested solution. Since the main problem concerned two grocery store gift cards for my two collegians (for emergency rations, of course), my suggestion to him was that we use those cards for our own grocery needs. Simply put, we have prepaid for some of our groceries. The rest of the gift cards I will reimburse him for with my paycheck this Friday. At some point I will get the gift cards with the correct amount... but I will wait for a bit.

I think I am safe until he sees the total bill.

Uh Oh

I goofed. I messed up. I could be in hot water. I can already feel the burning bubbles. Himself will not be pleased. Actually, I am not pleased. There are several possible resolutions to this predicament I find myself in... The question is will I live long enough to decide which is the better choice?

I went to the grocery store. I bought groceries. I bought a few "extras" for baking for Thanksgiving. That ran the bill up a bit. I bought a few gift cards for Christmas. That ran the bill up a lot! My plan was to write a check from my account to Himself to cover the cost of the gift cards since they are not part of the true grocery bill. However, I was in a hurry. I was experiencing an urgent call from nature and needed to get out of there and get home. Then it happened. The young cashier who was obviously new to his job was taking forever to enter the gift cards. He entered some of them incorrectly. Like $100 more per card incorrectly. I didn't catch it until he totaled the bill and that urgent call from nature almost became a deluge. What did I do? Decided that I couldn't wait for him to take the time to correct everything and got the hell out of there.

Yup, I am in very hot water! But I really am a good person, and my intentions were good. Doesn't that count for something? Do you think bladder weakness is a good defense?

Meetings, Pie Charts, And Key Buys

Today was a busy day. I entered numerous invoices onto the computer. I prepared handouts for the Parish Finance Committee meeting. I met briefly with our pastor and he suggested some changes to our pie charts. I made the changes. I am still seeing pie charts when I close my eyes. At the first finance meeting I attended today, the pie charts were discussed and a relatively few changes were made. Tomorrow I will work on the final version to be distributed to the parish members. Fun, fun fun!

The second finance meeting was this evening... the Annual Diocesan Finance Meeting. It is usually a boring meeting, but it is also a meeting that is important to attend because for the information that gets dispersed. We get a wonderful Power Point presentation about the financial status of our Diocese. There is a question/answer session at the end of the meeting where a few actual pertinent questions get asked and then answered. Then there are the people who like to get up to hear themselves speak and after ten minutes of comments actually may finally get to a question that has already been answered... probably twice. Our Bishop is very good at cutting off the questioning once he decides that the pertinent questions have already been asked. He has a lot of patience!

Tonight, when we got back from the Diocesan Finance Meeting, I got to browse throughout the stuff that was set up for a rummage sale at church tomorrow. I actually got a couple of very good deals! I got a set of 4 chairs-- the good folding kind with cane backs-- for $20.00. That is $5.00 a chair! I also picked up a wooden cat for $3.00, a set of French mixing bowls for $3.75, a marble and glass cheese holder for $6.00, a cow that matches my Christmas manger set for 10 cents, and a small AnnaLee doll for 5 cents.

I do have to explain that I am not normally a garage sale / rummage sale type of person. There is nothing wrong with being a person that likes those sales, but I have just never been very fond of them. However, once a year I patronize our Women's Guild rummage sale because it is their main fundraiser for the year and they do so much for our parish. They also include yummy baked goods in the rummage sale. Those will not be put out until tomorrow. I may have to make another purchase or two. You know, to support the ladies and their worthy efforts.

So, I hope you have all had a wonderful day. I am going to go to bed now. I will dream of wondrous pie charts and wake up ready to head for work and at least one more version of those pie charts. Perhaps more. Yes, I will need to make additional purchases at the bake sale tomorrow!

A Bit Brain Dead, But Successful

I am a bit brain dead tonight and will probably be seeing pie charts in my dreams for the next two weeks! I have been working on a financial report to be distributed to parish members, and Fr. Pat, our new pastor, has requested that I show the major categories in the form of pie charts. This is really a good idea. However, I have had very little experience with doing pie charts in Excel, so I have been rising to the challenge and have pretty much conquered the whole pie chart thing.

A lot of what I have learned about various computer programs seems to have been the result of intensive self-teaching to complete some sort of project. I actually enjoy being challenged like this and successfully figuring how to do what I need to do. But I am still brain dead tonight!

Sooooooooo... I am taking the easy way out tonight. I have a question to pose for you all to answer. This could be quite interesting and possibly quite entertaining! Are you ready?

What are the most interesting or unusual things you have done with duct tape?

Road Trip

I took off a bit early from work on Friday to pick up my youngest daughter, Allison, and drive up to my mother's home in Dunnellon. We took Koko with us as he is always up for a road trip... unusual for a cat. Ally and I had a wonderful visit while driving up there and back, and an equally wonderful visit with my mother.

We spent the night in Dunnellon... which was a bit difficult for Ally. It seems her mother was a bit congested and kept snoring and waking her up until she changed rooms in the wee hours of the morning. What can I say? I had a snuffy nose!

We decided to plan on an Alaskan Inner Passage cruise for next summer. It is something I have always wanted to do and something my mother has really wanted to do. So we are going! It is my hope that somehow my offspring will be able to go with us... It would be a fabulous time! So I will be investigating the options and checking out costs. I have several friends who have already done these cruises, and I will pick their brains about the trips they took.

We returned on Saturday since Ally had plans, and I needed to put some time in at work. When we reached her apartment she showed me some new sites on the internet where there are some pictures of her and her friends, as well as two of my other children. It is called myspace.com. I will be checking this out soon!

Currently, I am looking forward to seeing everyone together for Thanksgiving. It is always a good time whenever my kids all get together. They are all quite entertaining and funny! It is also the only time of year that I get to see my only sister and her husband, so it is always a special time.

Have a great day everyone. I am going to get settled in to watch the Bucs!
<:3)~