It's That Time Again!

Later today I will be camped out in front of the TV with millions of other Americans to watch the Superbowl being played in Miami. Some years I really don't care who wins. This year however, I am rooting for the Colts. Below is a picture of the two main reasons that the Colts are my choice.

Tony Dungy is still a favorite in the Tampa Bay area from his years of coaching the Bucs. He really is a class act. He and Peyton Manning deserve this. I'm sorry if you are pulling for the Bears... I hope they play well but lose!

Saved By A Hop, Skip, And A Jump

You have probably seen on the news that the weather has not been good to Central Florida the past few days. The night before the worst of the early morning tornadoes hit and devastated numerous central communities, I heard on the weather that there was a tornado in Crystal River making a beeline for Dunnellon where my mother lives. It was after 11:15 pm so I chose not to call and frighten her and continued to keep up on the weather data. Luckily for the residents of Dunnellon the tornadoes either dissipated or skipped over their small town only to reemerge on the ground and create havoc in other communities. My mom slept through the whole thing! She didn't even know about it until she watched the news the next morning!

At least with this go-round the local and state authorities, as well as FEMA, seem to have their act together. So many of the people hit were retirees who will have a difficult time adjusting to the adversity of their current situation. Also, I don't think that we have the final death toll. There is still much sifting through of houses and many mobile homes to be done. For some reason tornadoes seem to be attracted to mobile home communities. Weather people say that is not true. Maybe it is because there are so many of them? No, I think tornadoes are attracted to them for some reason!

Since my mom is fairly remote, I have asked her to get a weather emergency radio that will wake her up in a weather emergency. She used to keep one at the lake in Minnesota, but has not had one for her place in Dunnellon. Thankfully, that will now change. I can't control the weather, but at least I can reduce my worry-level knowing that she will at least have ample warning if we have any more nasty spring storms. Central Florida is know as the lightning capitol of the world for good reason. Our storms can get pretty ferocious, even though our tornadoes are usually short lived and usually only F-1. This event was obviously an anomaly!

We will continue to have cruddy weather this weekend. This coming week will be cooler, but hopefully the sun will shine and we will get a break from the gloomy clouds. Not that I want to encourage hot weather... I would just prefer cool and sunny! I think the people with no roofs or roof damage and no electrcity would prefer that as well.

Poem

I came across this poem today while looking for something else on the internet. It was a favorite of mine as a child. I used to have a book of poems that I avidly read in elementary school (and after) that it was in along with a few other favorites.

Mice
by Rose Fyleman

I think mice are nice.

Their tails are long
Their faces small,
They haven't any
Chins at all.
Their ears are pink,
Their teeth are white,
They run about
The house at night.
They nibble things
They shouldn't touch
And no one seems
To like them much.

But I think mice
Are nice

February 2nd

Yes, Groundhog Day is here again. I think I know what the little fellow will decide tomorrow...

Since the weather here has been a little less than desirable this week, and we are expecting another few days of yucky weather, perhaps Phil should consider Hawaii. However, we are still better off than poor Ralph and his never-ending snow shoveling!

LOL

I just read a hilarious post that I highly recommend you read. It is called Urban Legend and was posted on January 27th. The author lives in Colorado. I have provided a link below to further encourage you to read the post:

Homespun Headlines

Don't forget to leave Ralph a comment when you finish laughing!

Not Quite Chestnuts Roasting...

Yes, the weather has changed a bit. I have actually been able to have a couple of cozy fires in the fireplace. I love it! The weather has dipped down into the lower forties at night... and maybe a bit lower this next week. I am a happy camper... and I am still able to wear my flip flops in the house.

The Grass Is Always Greener Over The Septic Tank

I have been reading some other bloggers' post about the nasty weather being experienced in some parts of the country. In particular I note poor Ralph of Homespun Headlines who had to purchase a new snow shovel due to the fact that he had worn out his old one. I have never had to use a snow shovel.

On the other hand, if you live in Florida you experience supersonic grown rate of all types of grass and weeds during the summer months and rainy season. There was a time when it was my responsibility to mow our grass. This came about because Himself was too busy to get to it often enough, and by the time I would try to do it, the grass over the septic tank was so thick and high that I couldn't get the lawnmower through it.

Given the choice, I guess I would chose the grass over the snow. You can always hire a lawn service to keep up with it. Snow is not as predictable. When it comes you either shovel it, blow it, or you are stuck.

Just to rub it in a bit, I will tell you that I am still sporting my flip-flops. Yes, it is still flip-flop weather around here, but pleasantly so. The temperature has been in the upper 70s which is wonderful. I am waiting for another cool spell so I can pretend that it is winter... maybe even get a small fire going in the fireplace. I did get one in with a chilly spell we had a few weeks ago. Then it got hot again.

So shovel your snow, and I will continue to wish for some cooler weather. Maybe one of these days I will get to visit up north where I can play in the snow a bit again. I just don't want to have to deal with it on a daily basis. I can drive in heavy rainstorms, but I doubt that I would do that well in snow. The grass is always greener and the snow is always whiter.

Mystery Solved

Well the joke is on me! It seems that my comment settings were mysteriously changed to comment moderation. I had "L" try to leave a comment to see if there was a problem... yup, there was! She let me know about the message that she got when she left a comment... mystery solved. I couldn't figure out why everyone had stopped leaving comments. Guess I'm still loved a little.

Looking Back at 2006

First I think that I will take a look at how I did with last January's New Year Resolutions....

• Take the higher road. It was a struggle but there were some significant times when I was successful with this one... but there is still room for improvement!
  

• Limit my blogging absences to shorter periods of time. Hmmm... I think I did about the same as the previous year.
  

• Go on at least one cruise, two if I can manage it. Took one cruise!
  

• Make a new financial plan and stick to it. I did pretty good with this one!
  

• Visit my son in Hartford. Did it!
  

• Set up storage, but only put into it things that are important to keep... NO junk! (unless, of course, there is some significant sentimental reason for keeping it) Well, storage was set up, but as I watched the movers move some of my furniture into the unit, I realized that I really did not want to keep a lot of that furniture!
  

• Take nights out with friends once or twice a week. The first part of the year I did twice a week, the second half of the year has been mostly once a week.
  

• Avoid office gossip. It is difficult to avoid, but I did have some improvement in this area. At least I was able to reduce participation in it if not the hearing end of it. I am learning to politely walk away.
  

• Visit a new place at least once a quarter. I was successful in two quarters out of four.
  

• Call my mother at least once a week. She has actually called me so often that it has been difficult to initiate many calls, but I have improved in this area.
  

• Pray more. Sadly, I am probably in the same mode as the year before.No improvement.
  

• Improve my level of patience. Some improvement.
  

• Plan time with my oldest daughter at least once a month. I failed!
  

• Celebrate with my younger son his accomplishment of receiving a Masters Degree in Engineering. The celebration was not what I had hoped :o(
  

• Eat more peppermint ice cream. Definitely successful!
  

• Drink more Mimosas with L. Ahhh... sadly I was horribly inadequate with this one... but 2007 is another year!
  

• Enjoy more sunsets. Yes
  

• Enjoy more sunrises. Yes
  

• Keep my office neater (i.e., keep up with my filing and shredding) Fairly successful.
  

• Finish my ironing by the end of the year. Still have ironing to do...
  

For 2007 I will keep nearly all of the above list!



Next... This will be a repeat of what I did last January... I will probably do this each year even if it does not turn out to be very interesting...

What was the first line from your blog
the first post of each month
in 2006?

January
I am stealing this idea from "The Peanut Queen's Lair"

February
It's Wednesday, I'm home earlier than usual, and I have time to post before I go on my nightly walk with my neighbor, Rosie.

March
This picture reminds me particularly of Useless Advice From Useless Men.

April
My best friend once said "Throw flowers with a whole lot of love And a little bit of sadness"

May
Thought for the day

June
It has been hot and muggy here... and it isn't as hot as it will be in another month!

July
Well, L at Random_Speak is finally back to posting, and her current post provides a link to The Advertising Slogan Generator.

August
Yes, my cable connection is pouting again and therefore I am without internet at home.

September
I have been a delinquent blogger, but I did tell you I would be taking a break.

October
It has been an interesting week.

November

Yippee! I can hardly wait!

December

When things were winding down after Thanksgiving and son Jason and I returned to Clearwater, we initially put our suitcases near the front door.

A Question...

Do you ever respond to comments left on your blog posts? I notice that some people never do. I find that a bit odd. I don't always respond to my comments. Sometimes it is not necessary. But the interaction between bloggers through comments is certainly a fun part of the experience. I notice that especially when comments are not left on a post of mine that I expect a would elicit some responses.

Some bloggers actively respond to most of their comments... The Rat Squeaks is a good example. He can be a bit cantankerous, but his readers enjoy that, I think. Cliff Morrow also is one who is fairly consistent with responding to comments. So, how about you? Do you respond to comments or just enjoy reading them?

Still Bored...

I went back for another quiz... guess I'm still bored and very glad I didn't come up as Phoebe!

You scored as Rachel. Popular and stylish you're Rachel. You can be a little vain at times but your heart is in the right place. Rachel 60% Monica 60% Phoebe 50% Ross 45% Chandler 35% Joey 25% Which Friend are you? created with QuizFarm.com

I Always New It Was True!

I was bored so I took this quiz... very interesting...

You scored as Peter Pan. Your alter ego is Peter Pan. You are a child at heart. Anything you believe is possible, and you never want to grow up. Peter Pan 63% Goofy 63% The Beast 56% Cinderella 56% Pinocchio 50% Sleeping Beauty 50% Cruella De Ville 44% Ariel 44% Snow White 38% Donald Duck 31% Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego? created with QuizFarm.com

I Am Decluttered

It has been a couple of days since my last post. I don't think that anyone missed the fact that I didn't post for a couple of days since no one is currently reading this blog. I guess people got tired of waiting for me to post something. Or maybe they are tired of hearing about box-packing and coughing. Well they missed a cute poem about it all, but not much else.

I have had some friends give me a hand decluttering my house. I don't know how I would have gotten ready on time for the movers without them. Mary-who-just-can't-help-herself (some of you will remember some previous blog posts about her) was quite tenacious in getting me to get rid of things. She is probably the only person on this earth who could have gotten me to get rid of the alligator head. I will not miss dusting him, but he was a fun conversation piece to have around... for a while anyway. She also brought me soup when I was quite sick and some cold medicine that helped me get some sleep AND she brought several teenagers ( nieces, daughter and son) to help with the packing and decluttering. They were a great help. I hope they can claim some service hours for their work.

The house is listed with MLS and is currently online in numerous places. Some of the pictures were taken before all of the boxes were packed and moved, but the house actually looks pretty good in the pictures. I also like the way the realtor describes the house... "elegant" being a word I have never associated with my house. I guess I should be very careful in discerning what is really meant in the descriptions I read of houses and condos I am reading about in the listings.

I keep trying to switch to the newer version of Blogger. I keep getting invitations and reminders to do so, but when I try I am informed that my blog cannot be switched as yet because of some of my posts. And then I am told to try again at a later date. So far I haven't found a date late enough to work.

I am also without Picasa and my library of rodent pictures. I miss being able to put pictures with my posts. Hopefully, once I get the computer changeover complete I will be able to do those things successfully. I enjoy the pictures. When people used to read my posts, they seemed to enjoy them as well... except for Cliff... Cliff doesn't like rodents, but he likes teasing me about them. For instance, I sent him an email with a rat in a Santa Claus hat with the message "Ho, Ho, Ho." His return email included a picture of various D-con products and the message "Hee, Hee, Hee." That made my day.

So, that is the latest from this neck of the woods. I will try to keep up with my posting, but have a huge backload of things to get done at work. Once I get the 1099s done and catch up on the bills, I will have to complete the financial reports for the Diocese and the parish. Then it will not be long before it is budget time again. If you stop by this blog, leave a comment so that I know you have been by to read or view. If you are in the middle of winter in your neck of the woods, stay warm.

The Clutter Is Disappearing

I am finding out what it feels like to be clutter free. It feels very good. I still have a few more boxes to move to storage and bags still waiting for the garbage men to pick up. The house is officially on the market with the sign out front and pictures on the internet. Not much time to write tonight, but I should be posting something tomorrow night. Hope you all are healthy!

Ach, Ach

Bronchitis is a thing to dread
I think I'd be much better dead
But then there are some things undone
Perhaps some time for frivolous fun
Alas, alack twill have to wait
I need to pack another plate
The movers came and hauled stuff out
I'm am trying hard not to pout
I'll miss this place, I'm very sure
But a newer place may prove a cure
A few more trips taking stuff to storage
Then for a new home I must forage
They say there are good things ahead
If only I can get out of bed!

Still Got The Bug...

Still got the bug...

Still packing...

Still tired of packing...

Hoping you have a great New Year!

Whoopie

The movers are coming on January 2nd...

Got The Bug

Still Stuffing Boxes Into Storage

1 box, 2 boxes, 3 boxes, four
stuff them and tape them
and go get some more

1 box, 2 boxes, 3 boxes, four
five boxes, six boxes
stacked on the floor

1 box, 2 boxes, 3 boxes, four
five boxes, six boxes
shove them out the door

1 box, 2 boxes, 3 boxes, four
take them all to storage
and quickly shut the door

Yes, I am still packing up boxes. I am now packing up clothes, kitchen items, and anything that I won't need over Christmas while the kids are home. I think that I will need to get another storage unit. After Christmas I will finish moving the majority of furniture out of the house. Then I will try to exist with one bed, a chair, some paper plates, and just a few kitchen things. Of course, I will leave my computer hooked up as well and maybe the TV. With a very basic wardrobe and a few basic household items, I should do fine for a bit.

I am hoping for a quick sale of the house. Hopefully, I will find a new home soon! I am mentally ready for this move even if I am not totally packed. I am ready to get this whole move thing over with! I feel like I have been packing boxes most of my life. It will be nice to have the boys home so that I can get some of the bigger pieces of furniture moved into a Pod for the duration. The "For Sale" signs go up on January 5th.

I'll bet that most of you will like me to blog about something other that packing boxes as well!

Jingling

Jingle Bells, jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to see
The shoppers try to pay

Jingle bells, jingle bells
The malls are all aglow
With sparkling lights and later nights

To make the spending flow

Jingle bells, jingle bells
The season's music plays
The kids can't wait to celebrate
They're counting off the days

Jingle bells, shmingle bells
What does all this mean?
It's up to you to keep it true
Let His love be seen

I love this season. I try to have all of my shopping done before the craziness begins... that way I can enjoy the music, the decorations, advent preparations, and the joy of anticipation of what is always a special day. If I could get away with it, I would play Christmas music throughout the year (and sometimes I do). So I hope that you have allowed time for soaking up some of that joy. If you will be celebrating Hanukkah, enjoy that time with your family and friends. God gave us these celebrations to enhance our lives and bring us closer to Him. Enjoy the time and don't forget to include Him in your celebrating.

The Lost Has Been Found

Well my best jeans have reappeared. I will not divulge how, but let's just say that son Jason's good name has been cleared. They will be in the next washload as we are getting some "cold" weather tonight and they will be needed. That is Florida cold weather... you know like upper 40s F. I might get to put a log in the fireplace!