This is a plea for P.U.T.S........!!!

Otherwise know as................

Please Use Turn Signals!!

As I discovered while researching for this entry, spurned on by my nightly commute and the frustration therein, using turn signals is NOT OPTIONAL...

Exhibit 1:
"The California Legislature has determined that driving is a privilege, not a right. As such, drivers must follow the rules and guidelines that have been enacted into law. One of these rules (since the late 1950s) is the use of turn signals to indicate your intention to make a movement on the road, street or highway. It's only fair to let other drivers know what you would like to do. (The situation is virtually the same in all other states and commonwealths, although the code sections are different, of course.) "

Exhibit 2:As found in a "Good Citizen" handbook, virtually every wheeled vehicle is required to use signals:

And that got me thinking.........

About the only people I see use them are the ones who leave them on indefinitely.

Going on and on for miles, while we're afraid to make a move because we aren't really certain which way they're going, if anywhere at all.

It's not that much to ask, you know.

Like when I'm waiting to make a left, waiting for the lone car down the road to pass me so I can safely turn... He knows I am waiting for him to pass - I have my signal on...

Then about a millimeter before he actually drives by me, he turns right.

I waited for nothing. I can't even make a face at him because he's now driving happily in the other direction.

School buses let you know when and in which direction they are turning or pulling over.

This one could be fun if you used it back and forth really really fast.........

But one thing I've noticed is, if we do use the signals, we clearly show if we're going right. Or left.
But what about those pesky U-turns???

I think we need a signal for that. It would make my life my easier I know, by golly.

I would no longer rush to make that left on the green arrow, preceded by what I think is

another left-turner, only to find out they're doing a U-turn and have to slow WAY down to make it tight.

Geesh.

We have cars with heated seats. Video screens. Tables. Taking maps. Temperature readouts.

Hands-free phones. Chilled glove boxes. Lighted make-up mirrors (even over the drivers side, which I find quite odd.....and a wee bit dangerous...)

5-disc players with remote controls. (Seriously, how far would you have to reach to turn it on yourself, buddy...)

But we have NO WAY of knowing if someone is making a U-turn.......

What's up with that??

I want to invent the very first U-turn signal. It could be this cute arrow-thingy that lights up just above the tail lights.

I think it would work. I think I'll write to some car makers.

Try that on for size, all you engineers!

So, use your signals.

That way, you can read more blogs instead of having to explain to St. Peter you didn't "indicate
your intention"......

g'night.
-me

Sometimes......

...my brain goes on "strike". Doesn't want to work anymore. Just sits there.

A big 'ol lump of gray.

Slacker....

It's been on a "creative-strike" for a while. Try as I might, I can't seem to get it to focus on one thing for more than a few seconds.

I really want to do stuff...it won't let me.

It has the attention span of a gnat. It goes from one thing to another..in a split second.

Ever try to meditate with a brain like this?

Close your eyes.

Breathe....

Ahhhh.....did I empty the dishwasher???

No, no, don't think....clear your mind....relax.....there, that's good.......

I need to get the car washed. I wonder if I have any coupons left...maybe they're in that other purse. I really liked that one. I saw the cutest pattern for a purse the other day..one like Alana used to make. Wonder how she is doing? I need to call her. I don't think I have her number. I smell french fries. Wonder if there's a McDonald's around here. I just want a diet coke. Or some tea. Chi tea. Starbucks is soo expensive. I 'd like to visit Seattle someday. Rains a lot there. I like rain. I used to paint rain. I wonder where I put my paints. I gotta buy an umbrella. I love that word "Umbrella" sounds like a little tiny fairy..."Umbrella, the world's tiny-est fairy" Oh I gotta get the car done before it rains...Oh yea, I'm supposed to be relaxing....

forget meditating!

So I gather all the supplies for some ornament-making. Put them all over the table. Scraps, Scissors. Glue. Styrofoam balls..paper clips...

'Brain' stops and says, "Whew, You've made yourself quite a mess here girly."

I listen...and go sit down. What was I thinking???

It's often right you know. My brain. Big 'ol lump of gray.

So I thought I'd share one for my more favorite creations (favorite because it's actually finished...)

I made it in a class. I seem to do better when there are people around me. After all, I don't want them to think I'm the slacker here...

Hey, did you notice what the background is? Pages torn out of a phone book!

It's 3 panels of canvas, with torn phone book pages, inked and decoupaged on...

Rub-ons, and acrylic letters. And one of my mostest-favoritest photos of the kiddos and me

Me thin. (with boobs!!!) April almost as tall as me. She now has a son in college, daughter in high school, and one rising young soccer-girl.. Dammit-Andy is on my right. Biker-boy now. (biker MAN, oh yeah...) Dad now to Connor. Jeff, when he was a skinny little guy, and Brandi, mommy of Ella, was tucked in my sweater.

Camping trip. Colorado. Randy as photographer. Good times....

Anyway, maybe I'll get some inspiration now. After all, my head emptied and I need to go to bed.

Let's see where my brain will take me in my dreams tonight......

g'night big 'ol gray brain......

-me

I wonder......

I do wonder. As I look at these photos of my very young parents, what they were like back then.

What they liked to listen to on the radio. What they liked to do for fun. Mother liked to dance....
Wonder if Daddy really did. Or if it was his way of making my Mother like him....

I was helping my sister make something for my Mother's best friend's 90th birthday.

My Mother and Dorthy were friends for 68 years, before my Mother's death.

Dorthy has lost a lot. Her husband. A son. My Mother. My father. Such great losses.

And yet, she is a happy, beautiful woman. As beautiful now as she was years ago.

My Mother and she were friends since the first time they met, in line for a job. Dorthy was 13 and Mother was 15.

Imagine.

It wasn't working for "movie money" or for the latest "thing" either....it was working to help their families.

Hard times back then.

But they met, had fun, liked each other.

When Dorthy started dating a young man, but he wasn't "the one" for her, she introduced him to my Mother. Thought they might hit it off. And they did.


Hit it off...... and he became my father.

Imagine.

Dorthy and my Mother stayed friends. Through marriages, moves, children, sadness and old age.

Dorthy had one daughter and the rest sons. Mother had one son and the rest daughters.

One of Dorthy's sons married one of Mother's daughters.

Imagine!

Unbelievable, yes?

When grandchildren came from that union, Dorthy and Mother shared those grandchildren.

Imagine.....

Dorthy lost Alden, her husband and Mother lost Daddy. They were "single girls" once again.....

So here's my wish for Dorthy on her 90th birthday.

My Mother's friend. My sister's Mother-in-Law. My niece and nephew's Grandmother.

I wish you sweet dreams, great memories, a place in Heaven when God's call comes.

A great reunion with Alden, your loving husband, and Jimmy, your wonderful son.

And yes, to see once again, my Mother, your best friend. And Daddy, an old boyfriend.

And the sweet face of Jesus. You have lived a good life in the church. He will welcome you home.....

Can you imagine????

Daddy & Dorthy on a "date"

Dorthy, Mother, Patty and Larry at the lake

Sweet dreams all. And imagine...... it's so fun!

-me

You know you have great puppies when.....

...they get more mail than you do!

Lots of "get better soon" wishes from friends and family.

Thank you all for all the emails, comments and cards sent to our fur-babies. I am happy to report they are doing just fine.

Really good. Cuddly and lovey.

Like nothing has happened.

I wish I could heal like that...I think I would have dragged it our for all time to get as much sympathy as possible...................but that's just me....

And while they were getting all the well-wishes, I got a box of rocks.

Yep. Hand delivered by my other sister, Gerri at Thanks-mas. Lovingly delivered a box of rocks.....

From Kathy. And her friends.. found while walking....the friends..not the rocks....they were just lying around...they're rocks after all...

Which reminds me, when "Dammit-Andy" was little , he wanted to be a rock.

Not a rock-star. Oh no. He wanted to be a rock...on the beach....makes a Mother proud to know her children have such lofty goals....................

Anyway, they were just what I wanted!

When others see a "box of rocks" I see miniature canvases.

I think of the possibilities of what could go on these flat, smooth rocks. But I must tell you the idea is not mine. I actually saw on another blog some great ideas for flat rocks, and I loved it right away.

Trouble is, Rocky Mountain rocks are, well, rocky...bumply, and not-smooth. And Randy wouldn't have let me pick them up anyway.....

Seems like Arizona rocks are PERFECT! Smooth, flat, neat-o shapes. And no one seems to mind when you take them, right??

So to Kathy and her walking friends, all I have to say is,

You are ......

Have a wonderful Wednesday and remember, "art" is all around you. You just have to know what you're looking for!

-me

OK, so is 12 o'clock really late or really early??

The question haunts me still....

If it's really late, then I did really good to stay up that late...

If it's really early, then I got up way too early to shop...

I think it is both. too early. too late.

But, hey it was FUN :-)

The local radio station sponsored a Jammie Jam in the mall. The first 200 who came in their jammies got into a "special lounge" ...love that word...make me think of old movies where bad singers in blue pastel tuxes sing while snapping their fingers...

Anyway, it was a challenge. A mission. A calling. A mantra..."we must get into the lounge.." a war cry...WE MUST GET INTO THE LOUNGE!!

Thing is, only Gerri and I heard it. April tried to. She really did. And I think it might have whispered to her, because she was a good sport and came in her jammies..

But tell me there's a free catered breakfast and live music? Well the gauntlet was thrown as far as I was concerned.

So off the grand kids, a very good-natured son-in-law Chris and me and Gerri - go to the mall.

At midnight.

After turkey.

After pie.

After cards.

In our jammies.

All for luke-warm scrambled eggs, cold bacon, warm milk and hard croissants.

And, we weren't the only ones......oh no......

Thousand, maybe even gazillions of crazies..uh...I means shoppers not unlike my self....all with one thing in mind......

breakfast!!

Even little Emily was all bright and chipper...Way to go oh Little-one-shopper-girl!

And you know what?

No blue-polyester suit..no bad singer..just a guy and a piano, some decent food, lots of fun and a night...ah...morning we'll talk about for some time.

So, do something a little "crazy" ...have some fun...take your camera.. and laugh.

We did.

And we had a blast!

Thanks, kids and grands for indulging me once more. I love you all!

-grammie

The thing about "nutshells"....

...is that it's so hard to pack 3 1/2 days of family, food, fun and frenzy into one.

Nutshells that is... let me just tell you, our Thanks-Mas was one of the best one's yet.. (Yes, I do say that every year, don't I??)

Anyway, let me just start out by thanking all of YOU, my friends, who have left such wonderful, thoughtful and worried comments on Braxton, Lulu and of course, Randy-man.

All are doing well.

Braxie & Lulu had their follow-up on Friday and the vet says they are going to be fine. The antibiotics are working and neither had a fever or any sign of infection.

Randy's knees, although scraped, are a little stiff but fine. The huge lump in his arm is now a flat big-ole bruise.

But he is walking the pups again, as am I. We're just far more "in the moment" and watch out for everything. I only wish we had rear-view mirrors like they do in cars!

Last year, Jeff gave me a head-band sort of thingy that had a light on it - kinda like the miners wear. When I walk the dogs in the mornings, it is sometimes still a little dark. (.....I won't walk that early anymore....)

Anyway...I tired the head-lamp-thingy - I really did - the people driving by were looking at what the single-lighted thing was on the sidewalk before they could see me, the pups and the silly light on my head. They must have thought,

.....well, I have no way of knowing what they were thinking, but I'll bet it was something like:

"Whaaaa?? Oh, it's some old lady-miner with her dogs..."

Because I had the two of them, and the light-thingy on my head, I was in somewhat of an odd position to actually spot the poops to pick them up. Had to move my entire head in motions to find it. then when I bent over to pick it up, the light was above it. I couldn't quite coordinate the light and the poop and the pups at the same time.

But I feel it was some good neck-exercises all at the same time. So thanks Jeff, for letting me "see the light"!!

And thanks again to all of you. I do appreciate each and every comment left and read them time after time.

One of the best thing sis that they lead me to you and your blogs! And I learn so much and feel a part of a wonderful community of people with similar tastes, hobbies and families.

So, go out there today and revel in the memories of a fun and thankful week-end.

And remember, Christmas is only a short time away..better start shopping early....

........did I tell you that Gerri & I were interviewed & photographed in our Jammie's at the mall at 2am?? No? OK, see ya tomorrow with "the rest of the story"...

-me

Yet another thing to be thankful for....

Last evening, while Randy was walking the pups ( a term of endearment, not their age, by the way...) a Pit Bull attacked them.

He came up from behind as the three of them were walking, our two in their harnesses and on 5 ft. leashes.

He was silent, no collar or tags to give him away. All of a sudden he was just a blur past Randy and had Braxton in his teeth.

Lulu (our "Princess-Warrior") saw what was happening to her little "brother" and sprang into action.

Randy was in the midst of the 3 dogs, pulling and trying to protect them..

The Pit Bull let go of Braxton and Randy had Braxie up in the air in a split second. By this time, neighbors were out their doors, some calling the police or Animal Control, one threatening to "shoot the dog"- all the while Lulu is fending off the vicious attacker.

Randy ran to help Lulu and suddenly all were in the ditch, fallen and injured.

The "owner" of the Pit Bull came out of nowhere and pulled his dog off Lulu, who he had on her back and his powerful jaws around her tiny neck, shaking her. Randy was trying to get the dog off of her, hitting, yelling and kicking.

The owner said he was taking the dog home and would be back to see how they all were. All the time, one neighbor was saying he had children and if he saw the dog again, he'd shoot it for sure. (not exactly how we would have handled the situation, however, he was in fear for his kids...)

Needless to say, the man with the dog never came back. Randy, by this time as banged up as the pups, had the dogs at the Vet's.

Thankfully, THANKFULLY, no life-threatening injuries. Braxton has 3 puncture wound, deep and open, on his bum. Lulu, because of her heavy coat (and strong will) was not opening wounded, however, the Vet explained it was much like a car accident - you hurt sooo much worse the next day. Today will be hard on all three....

So, they are on pain pills, antibiotics, ointment and bed-rest. My poor babies!

Randy is bruised, his knees torn up, arm swollen and heart broken. He feels he somehow let them down by not protecting them better. God knows what he did and so do I. He is amazing to me- and to the pups.

He saved their lives.

You couldn't imagine 2-eleven pound pups to survive and Pit Bull attack without the aid of their Dad. God gave him the strength, the clear-headiness and the tenacity to fight off the Pit Bull. And, God is responsible for letting Randy forgive the dog (maybe not so much the owner). He (both He's - God and Randy) know if the owner had been responsible for his pet, this would not have happened.

I know he's a hero. Braxton & Lulu know that too. Now if only I could get Randy to believe that.

So, add more thankfulness this Thanks-mas. We have Lulu & Braxton and they have their Dad.

And we see again the proof guardian Angels surround us all-

Thank you, God.

-me

Guess what I saw....

...while driving to work yesterday?

One of those trucks that "it takes two to drive" as Randy says...

You know..one with the girl in the middle of the front seat...next to her Sweetie?

I haven't seen that in YEARS!

I think the whole seat belt-thingy stopped that. It's so funny because when I was in High School, all the girls sat next to the boyfriends. Really next to them...

I guess it did look like it took 2 to drive. Good observation Randy!

Anyway, seeing this couple, and they were not kids, looked really weird to me...not the people themselves...but the way they were sitting so close. Like high school "Sweeties"....

A throwback in time. Made me smile.....

I half expected them to start kissing!

Oh, another gem from Randy - "do you know what "STOP " on the red sign means??

Smooch Till Others Pass.....

Hahahahahaha!

Anyway, look around today and see if anything you see can "magically" transport you back in time...to some fun memories and when it took two people to drive....

-me

Happy Monday - here's something to make you smile....

Click on the link thingy and make sure you have your sound on...Happy Almost-Thanksmas!

Oh, the things that make ya go "Hmmm....."

…and speaking about being totally PC and all….I’m not going to be now.

As a matter of fact, I’m going to be downright ruthless…which is a funny word.. …
.....where does it come from? …………“ruthless “ If someone who is conniving is ruthless..are the good ones full of ruth….... ruthful??

…huh..I wonder….
…I loved the movie Ruthless People…it’s so silly!

“The world’s stupidest criminals..” hhahahahaha!

Anyway, what I am going to say here might not be for the weak.

Or the busy. Or the totally-organized-but-rather-non-feeling-so-warmly-at-Christmas-people….or persons.

OK, here it is…………………………………………………………..

I don't like gift cards. There, I've said it.

(....unless they’re in conjunction with another gift especially chosen for the recipient…)

But, how unimaginative?! It’s like the Holy Grail for slackers…..

I know, I know, ..they’re convenient. They’re quick. Everyone can use them..one-size-fits-all…and the advertiser's want you to think you're soo clever..

but seriously, which of the things in the ad would you rather have? The pretty wrapped gift with the beautiful ribbon?.....or the card..flat...unattractive...no personality?? (hey...that sounds like me in High School!)

Maybe that’s the problem.

"One size fits all"…you could give or get one for the mailman, never even knowing his name. Or her name.

Never taking the time to know anything about him…or her. What they like. What movies, music, books they read….

...if they can read…..............well......I guess they’d have to read if they deliver the mail….

Anyway, the point is, if I give you a $20 gift card and you give me a $20 gift card, why don’t we just keep our $20’s and call it even??

Yes, it takes some thought to buy something for someone- but isn’t that the whole idea???

To find just the “perfect” thing for someone? To be at a flea market or a used book store and spot that one thing you know they’ll just.....LOVE?

That’s when the giving gives the gift-giver as much of a gift as the gift-getter gets!!

I love to be somewhere, oh, like in the middle of July, and say ”Oh, Gerri would just love this!”

Or, that’d be PERFECT for Chris! Or, you know, I remember he/she collects these, I think I’ll get him/her one!”

(notice how PC I’m being here now….yeah, me!)

Hey....I crack me up…both “Chris” and “Gerri” could be a boy or a girl –hahhahahaha! –

.......no, wait… not in the “mixed-up-doesn’t-know-what-gender-they-are” sort of way…. The names, I mean…

Anyway, my point is that especially at Christmas, you should spend more than money on those gifts.

You should spend time.

And if you’re saying, “well I really don’t know that person all that well..”

…maybe you should re-think why getting them anything at all. Or maybe get to know them. ……

After all, if they’re not worth the effort, what IS the point??????????

Things that make ya go “Hmmm……”

-me

**** DISCLAIMER*** (..again....geesh! )

" The opinions of the writer in no way conveys the feelings of the Senior Management....."

-Randy

huumph..

Just another Saturday here on Main Street day...

Yeah, you're reading a blog from a graduate of Cake Decorating 101 - yeah, baby!

Today was the last class in "part 1" and the next set starts the first Saturday in January. Guess they figure Randy needs something besides cake for dinner on Saturday nights....

so, let's see it you say...OK here it is in all of it's Lemon glory...

Today we learned Sweet Peas, ribbons, and were to work on Roses again...but I made a flower I don't know the name of - but they look like a ruffly rose... Oh, and the pea-looking things..they're supposed to be dots.

And here's Heather and me, one last time, Ooh-ing and Aha-ing over tonight's dinners....

But, here's what I'm talking about......

Moist, lemony, YUM-O....

But, Saturdays are not ALL about the cakes, right?

With the weather being so nice today, we actually came across a little yard sale!

I bought these:

Why 3 Jacks you say??

Because they didn't have 10...Duh....

Oh, and I got this darling small cookie jar:

You can tell it's not really big because the Jacks are actual "jacks-size".....

And, doesn't Braxton look like he's keeping Santa's chair warm for him??

And these aren't new but I threw them in because I thought you'd like them...I do.

So, enjoy your night, sleep tight, and don't sleep with your mouth open...all the grumpies enter that way....betcha didn't know that, huh??

-me

You're kiddin' me, right??

While watching the news, an interesting story came on about Santa in Australia.

I really like Santa, so when I heard his name I wanted to know what my old friend was up to these days, you know, before the big rush and all….

(he gets sooo busy……you’d think he could stop for a minute and call, but noooo…)

I digress….

That’s when they said something on TV that elicited the only response I could come up with:

“you’ve GOT to be kidding…

Seems in Australia (and I speak not for the whole country or all of its inhabitants) some folks have taken issue with Santa’s jolly greeting of “Ho! Ho! Ho!”

Whaaat???????

Yep. Seems some people have taken “offence” to it..or to the reference (I guess the “ho’s”…??)

Seriously….

SERIOUSLY????????????

Yep, seriously. So he was “asked” to use the greeting of “Ha! Ha! Ha!”

(I don’t know.....looses something the delivery, don’t you think?)

.... what are you thinking people??

And while we’re getting all PC about the wording..then I guess we’ll have to call that tool used in the garden to move dirt and plant , not a hoe, oh no!

Now it should be referred to as a “move the soil-dig the ruts-ready the ground –farm implement”….

And the festive dance first started for farmers?

…not a “Hoe-Down “anymore….but a “Move the soil-dig-the ruts-ready-the-ground- farm-implement-Down”.

I don’t know about you, but the way I see it is if someone’s mind is really that shallow, I want to tell them that Santa, while stuck up in the North Pole with all of those creepy, smiling, pointy-toed-shoes, "Vertically Challenged"elves, deserves a couple of Ho’s……

heeeheeeheehee......

Have a fun, PC safe, non-work related, week-end. Try to be merry, have a gay (but you've got to be careful with that word today) Holiday season, unless of course you are not permitted due to your religious beliefs NOT to have fun, or to be happy or…...........

DISCLAIMER:

** Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make America great.....

...Not to imply that America is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only America in the Western Hemisphere.

And without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting these greetings you are accepting these terms.

*This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal.

It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting.

It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for herself or himself or others, and is void where prohibited by law and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher.

This wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a subsequent holiday greeting, whichever comes first, and warranty is limited to replacement of this wish or issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

-The Blake Household Management

Ah, Santa, you've "gone-n-done-it"...........

Gave me everything I could have asked for....and it's not even December!

Ella's coming for Christmas (and bringing Momma Brandi, too!)

Robert & Colette's house was saved from the fires....

Johnny's Momma (Ella's Grandma) is doing MUCH better and will be fine.... (after a long recovery)

Larry's hand was not broken by the horse and he's good to ride another day...

(yes, that's me & him back in 1961-ish...)

Bruce is out of the hospital and Daisy-the-dog has her Dad home once more.

Gerri has quit the job she hated and is taking a chance on life....

Kathy's walking and making new friends every day...and sharing them with me through this blog.
The remodel on Grandma's bathroom is going GREAT!


And as for me, well, you know how I feel about this whole Christmas season......

'Tis the season to be CHUBBY! ...fa la la la la, la lalala..........

All I have to say to you, Santa, is one thing...

YOU ROCK !!!!!!

(ok, so maybe one little gift under the tree...for me... Santa baby....)

Sometimes I'm saddened by the sounds of Christmas....

I was 9 years old in 1958. My Mother sent me to the corner store when we lived in Tucson.

For bread.

I think it was about $0.50......

I can remember it was still warm for a dessert-December late afternoon.

I can remember hearing Silent Night playing. I "think" it was in the store, but it may have been later that night on TV or something.

It was the "season" after all...

But the thing that I remember so vividly is the news of a fire at a Catholic school in Chicago.

We were Catholic. We were from Chicago. It was an elementary school. I was in elementary school.

90 children died in that fire. And 3 Nuns.

NINETY elementary school children. And Nuns.

We always thought they were invincible. But they died too.

The school was Our Lady of the Angels School.

As a result of the tragedy, ordinances to strengthen Chicago's fire code and new amendments to the State fire code were passed.

Also, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that hundreds of schools across the nation were safer because communities inaugurated and completed fire safety projects after the Our Lady of the Angels loss.

But that's just a blur every time I hear Silent Night.

Maybe I felt, as a child, the night WAS silent for those children. And for the Nuns....scary silent.

Never having another Christmas.

And the parents.....my heart still hurts.

What I need to remember, instead of the loss, is that one hundred sixty children were saved that day back in 1958.....

...160

and who know how many others over the years.

And that is the miracle of Christmas - not just to remember lives lost... but the lives saved.

The "gift".....

This year, when I hear Silent Night, I am going to try, TRY to remember the 90 angels and 3 Nuns..(angels to be certain) who are watching us, knowing that their lives were not lost in vain.....

And I will try not to cry.....

-me

Have you heard about our "Thanks-mas"?

It's a holiday that is, as far as I know, exclusive to our family.

Started years back when we had the kids out for a Thanksgiving visit.

At that time, we all exchanged the gifts so we wouldn't have to mail them. But we didn't open until Christmas.

Then one year I thought it would be fun to see the looks on the children's faces while they actually opened the gifts, and if we couldn't all be together on Christmas, we'd do it now.

We felt we couldn't actually call it Christmas- there are somethings one doesn't mess with.

But "Thanks-mas", well that defines what we have - our own holiday that's a combination of the two.

Here's what it looks like: they start arriving Wednesday night.

Thursday is the traditional Thanksgiving with all the trimmings. Randy does all the cooking (can you believe that!) and the girls do all the clean-up. (Yeah April & Lisa!!) My sister and I (the elders if you will) sit and laugh and visit and really revel in the moment.

Friday (sort of a Christmas Eve if you will..) starts at the "crack of craziness".

Yes, we are among the crazies who get up at 4 am to be shopping by 5 am...and to get in line for the "freebies" - somewhat of a tradition now for us - (run in- grab the freebie - run out and off to the next freebie-giving store - heehee!)

Hey, I got there BEFORE Santa did!

Sometimes we actually shop... Then we gather to show our treasures, unless of course, one of those treasures will be a gift on Thanks-mas Day!

About 9am we call the "sleepers" (those who chose NOT to get up at the crack of craziness ) and we all meet for breakfast.

Back home for a few hours (and a nap!) lunch on left-overs and back out to either Wheeler Farm or Thanksgiving Point or Gardner Village to see all the decorations, drink hot cider, walk, laugh and take tonzzz of photos.

The night usually ends with a group movie, one Hollywood's Christmas releases, or a mega-bowl-a-thon, gifts of just "playing together" from Chris, Gerri's son.

Gift wrapping, giggling, drinking eggnog, spiced cider, some good wine or mugs of hot chocolate round out the night.

Then it's Saturday morning, or "Thanks-mas" morning. Everyone in their PJ's, sitting together, giggles and anticipation of which of those prettily wrapped gifts are theirs.

We hand out gifts, take turns opening, "oh-ing" and "ahh-ing", and nodding with approval that this is indeed the perfect gift for the Receiver. Good job, Giver!

The rest of the day is spent eating left-overs, laughing, telling stories, card games, watching football (sometimes even playing football at our little park) lots of photo taking and of course, naps.

Sunday morning, and the leaving begins. One by one they head for home..and leave behind the memories, and the anticipation that Thanks-mas is only a year away......

As our children get older, each individual family unit has Christmas traditions exclusive to them.

This is the way it should be. The freedom to start activities that they themselves have chosen.

With sharing "Thanks-mas" we all get the joy of the season, watching the looks on every one's faces as they open the gift bought lovingly just for them.

And we, as parents and grandparents, get to hear the squeals of delight, see the children's smiles and have that moment in the here and now, not courtesy of listening on a phone call....

So enjoy the traditions that are just your own. And pass them down to the next generation. And instruct them to pass them along as well.

You never know, one of these days Hallmark with bring out a whole line of "Thanks-mas" cards!!!

-me

'chubby' when you're little can be cute.....

You know, when God asked how I wanted to look when I grew up, I think He may have mis-understood what I said.

What I said I wanted was a flat tum and a rounded bum.

I think I must have mumbled..............or He wasn't listening.

I mean, I know He's busy, what with all that creating and having to remember the time change and everything....

Because what I actually got was a nice rounded TUM and a flat as a pancake BUM.....

Take this morning...

I knew I had good eating week-end (not in the Weight Watchers sense) but in the yummy-oh-my-I'm -so-bad sense.

However, when I tried to zip my jeans - they were, uh, what's the term.....snug.

So snug I needed to lay on the bed to zip them. You know why this works ?
Because it distributes all that good-eatin' to other places. Eeesh...

I am still amazed at the extraordinary tensile strength of the jean's material.

When I managed to get to my feet, I noticed 2 things:

1. my midriff (muffin top) spread across me like a speed bump...and ...

b. when looking down at said feet, noticed I didn't have my socks on...and I'm all about the socks....

So I realigned my speed bump and lurched toward the sock drawer...

I looked like a lump of playdough wearing undersized blue cling wrap

I reached in, grabbed a pair, then.....

BENT OVER TO PUT THEM ON!!!!!

Have you ever seen those balloon people who squeeze the balloon and all the air goes to the top? And it looks like it'll POP?

That was my head - I thought for a moment I would loose consciousness....Eyes all buggy and face all red...

When my breath returned to my body, and the spinning stopped and my eyes went back into their sockets.........

.....I looked at Braxton & Lulu. They looked terrified.

Like, ah, "what do we do? "

"What's the number for 911?"

"Do you know how to dial??"

So, what's the lesson in all of this?

Eat less?
nope....

Practice some restraint?
nah...

Put your socks on first?

Yeppers, that's it...

(and they wonder why I wear slip-on shoes!)

Have fun and remember,

Stretch pants are my friend......
-me

ps...is that little kid trying to cop a feel????????????

Didja have a great wek-end??

We did.

Cake class.

Visit from the newlyweds.

Dinner @ Cafe Rio...yummmmmmmmy

Great find at a yard sale.

Pups got groomed.

Christmas cards in the making...AND.....

Randy did more demolition on the bathroom downstairs..can't wait for the "after" photos - the "before" look a little scary!

Talked to both sisters, and brother and MOST of my kids...(dammit Andy, call whydontcha...)

Here's some photos of all the fun....

Christmas cards made from a kit given to be by sweet Heather.

These chairs we found by driving down a street I usually don't drive down. After cake class, I decided to take a street unusual from my normal path...and drove by a house with a grundle of these chairs in the front yard. Figured they must have been from a restaurant or something. We've been looking for new chairs (expensive) and we wanted to get 10 or 12......Well, these MATCH or kitchen and they are sturdy and strong AND comfortable...and at $7.00 each - a real find....so we bought 12! I will eventually want to recover the seats, but that's easy enough. So...

good find...

Braxton & Lulu lookin' good after their visit to the Beauty Shop:

Me & Heather with our cakes.......

Here's Grandma's "used-to-be-pretty-but-will-be-BEAUTIFUL-when-she-gets-home-bathroom:

Uh Oh, Randy....did you MEAN to do that???????????

So, go out there and have a really great Monday...it's ALMOST Friday!!!!!!!!!!

-me

Cake class - Part deux....

OK, it's was Saturday. And if it's Saturday, that means cake class.......

Randy asked that I make a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. So, here it is....

Had a hard time with it though...when I got the top smooth, it ran over the sides. When I got the sides smooth, it built up at the top!

Reminded me of that silly kid's thing "how do you get peanut butter off the roof of your mouth" (said in a peanut-butter-stuck way) "you put it on your finger" then "how do you get peanut butter off your finger? You put in on the roof of your mouth.." and so on forever....

It was smooth on the top. Fix the sides. Smooth the sides. Fix the top. Smooth the top...fix the sides...and on and on....

Well ,you get the idea.

Then I remembered, we learned "borders" last week! I could "fix" the top at class with some sort of border! Yeah me!

This lesson, we learned roses. Because I wanted to be "thrifty" I didn't make new frosting, I choose to use what I had refrigerated from last week's lesson. BIG mistake...

Thus the kind of yucky colors....

And...the rose red was really too soft for roses, so mine kinda look like those ones made out of tomatoes at fancy restaurants.

I borrowed the peach-colored frosting from Heather. Her's was the correct consistency . It was much firmer and easier to use.

So, with funky-colors and lazy roses, we made our second cakes spring to life. Not bad rot he second lesson, huh?!

Can you say .......YUM-O.....???

Have fun. Slow down....take a class just because you've always wondered about it but were too busy to try...

And it's ALWAYS more fun with a friend! Thanks Heather!

-me

Speaking of going green.....

....here's a great idea to recycle all those old sweaters you have!

No, that's not me.....but I wish I'd thought of it first...hahahahaha!

It's the time of year I start to knit.

But I don't "really" knit....

OK, so I do some scarves. Just scarves. I don't want to do anything more complicated that that.

Things that include math...and counting stitches...and keeping up with where you are....

W-A-Y too much thought. People have tried to teach me. To convince me..

but nope....don't wanna...anin't gunna....

That's why I like to knit scarves. I can sit and watch TV, or ride in the truck with Randy, and not have to "think"...

And I LOVE it when I don't have to think. I can just go about empty headed. I like that. (not that I think all that much regularly...)

It's kind of why I like to wash dishes (sometimes) by hand.... You can just loose your thoughts or let them take you anywhere. Or nowhere. Just be.

I like that.

And I really do like to knit....I love all the pretty yarns...the funky new ones, the really soft ones, the beautiful colors.

And I looooove wooden needles. I love the feel of them in my hands. Warm, somehow. Smooth. Strong. The metal ones are good for some things, but you know......cold. Hard. Fabricated.

I guess that means I could knit in the summer......but , uh, no.

My knitting is a winter thing.

I guess I just keep knitting with various sized wooden needles, cute , soft, fuzzy yarns, and maybe I'll have made enough scarves to "scarve the world"!

Or, at least my little corner of it......

So, find something to do that lest you just "be"...just as your are. Imperfect. Empty headed. But warm and beautiful. And enjoy every single lost moment. You'll be better for it.

And who knows, someone might even like one of your silly 'ole scarves!

Have a great Saturday, OK?
-me

Oie Vey.........

As I age, I have to take more & more pills.

One to start my day, one to make me pee, one to give me the vitamins I just peed, one to clam me down. One to get me going.

One to get rid of allergies (I never even knew I had allergies...)

One for memory (or.... was that 2?...) one for the aches and pains I have. One so I don't get aches and pains. One so I can breath.

One so my heart will keep going.

I'm afraid to go to the doctor's anymore because he'll just prescribe another pill. Probably a "pest pill" so I won't bother him anymore.

And I think I'm HEALTHY! Can you imagine if I were sick??

Really don't remember taking all that many pills when I was younger. My tolerance to pills was very low.

I used to get high on Midol....almost made me really look forward to my period! Almost.

Could never drink. Low tolerance there too. That's OK - the only way I liked wine was if I put a little Sweet-n-Low in it...got the "wine snobs" really ticked off.

Used to be able to take Excedrin for headaches - that'd wipe 'em right out.

Can't take that now - if I did I'd have to take a stomach pill to get rid of the stomach ache I got from the pill I took to get rid of my headache.

When the heck did all this happen?

And, have you noticed, they're making these pills the size of horse pills. Do you know how much liquid is required to get one Potassium pill down??

Then the pee pill kicks in............

I have to run potty so much I get tired and my legs hurt, which makes me take a Tylenol. And a vitamin.

Or did I already take that...???

Oh well, I think I'll take a Tylenol PM and a vitamin with my coffee and see if I can sleep-walk the dogs really really fast....before I have to pee again. .....

Have a pain-free day, will ya?!
-me

I am a thief............

So, I’ll admit it…I am a thief. A common street thief.


Me and my hommies. Braxton & Lulu. We’re a gang.


Our gang colors are cotton candy pink and chocolate brown…and we're tough..and we lookout for each other..(notice them looking both ways??



You see us in the ‘hood, we’ll give you a shout out, “YoYo, wassup?”

“Yo yo mama…”

Or maybe it's "Yo-Yo Ma" …no wait…he’s the cellist…
And gangs probably wouldn’t know classical music if it bit them in the baggy-jeans-underwear-showing-low-slung- no butt-butt….

Maybe it's one “yo”…........2 Yo’s would be a toy on a string.....

I digress….

I’ll bet you’re wondering what I stole…stoled?...Took....

A screen door.

No, not off a house…
…well, actually, probably at one time it was on a house…

But when I “rescued” it…. it was in the big-trash-pick-up pile in front of a house that our city does twice a year.

It’ soooo cool! That pretty green like in my kitchen – and old…distressed…but it’s really short…must have opened a really short doorway…for really short people….Hmmmm…
Anyway, here’s a picture of it.

I can use magnets to display cards, scrapbook pages and photos!
Or recipes.....
Or receipts......

Or, according to Randy, arrest warrants……

Yes, I did finally read on the instructions for big-stuff-disposal-pick-up that to “take” something is actually against the law.

Oops. Didn’t know that… How silly! Thought I was saving the city some time and effort…..

Can you imagine if someone had called in to report a “crazy lady with 2 small dogs and one screen door walking down the street at 6 in the morning” ?

Yep, I found it on our walk. So I had to “walk” it back home, right?

Screen under my arm, two dogs pulling on their leashes..me trying to keep up with all of that….

And I can just see me & the gang in prison….

Them: Wacha in for?

Braxton: whimper…whine Lulu: Grrrr!! GRRRRR!!! (little “piranha teeth” in an under bite could be threatening…)

Me: stealin’ a screen…

Them: ...a computer screen?

Me: Nope

Them: ...a Big screen TV?

Me: nope – a decorative screen door used for displaying pretty pictures and darling cards!! It was FAB! All sea-foam green and distressed! Martha would have loved it!!

Them: Oh, you know Martha too?

Hahahahahahaha!

Pssst....Braxton .... don't stand near the evidence.......

Have fun and don’t steal….

Re-cycle! Re-purpose! Re-use!

Hey, I didn’t realize I was going “green”! Environmentalists, be proud! I RoCk !!

-me

"Mission Possible"............(insert that Mission Impossible music here...you remember....)

da da ta dada da da...... Very good!



SO, while feeling sorry for myself the other day, a friend at work (Hi Lillie!) asked me if I wanted to "fill a box for an underprivileged child...you know, for Christmas?"

Sounded interesting...tell me more...

She went on to say her church sends shoe boxes filled with goodies all over the world so kids who would otherwise have nothing to open on Christmas morning would have "something"...

Hmm, let me think about that..tick tock, tick tock..........OK, I WILL!

Lillie: do you want a boy or a girl?

Me: can I have both??

So started the shopping. Lillie told me (and it was re-enforced in the literature) that "the children need personal items..like combs...and soap. Washcloths, toothbrushes...and maybe a toy"...

Whoa.....Can you imagine any of our children being happy about opening a Christmas box and finding SOAP? Or a COMB??

So, the idea is to fill this shoebox....

..with the items purchased for them......

OK, so I don't "do" math....didn't figure the "square inches divided by the size of the gift times the depth of the container......."

So, my box runneth over.....
...whose ever feet would fit into shoes out of this box is obviously a slacker...you could have had BIGGER feet you know....it would help....

So, while my box runneth over, so does my heart.

For the children who are grateful and happy to have a box to open at all.

To have their own bar of Ivory soap (that floats!) or a comb...and toothpaste and a toothbrush made just for their small hands and teeth...

...and a couple of toys to call their own.

Thanks Lillie. You just gave ME a gift.....you've just started my Holiday season off to be one of the BEST ones ever!!

Today, while you're out there running around, remember the children who have so little and remember also, we have soo much.

Remember the old folks in the nursing homes who already have given so much, now it's their turn to receive.

Remember those who have been forgotten. Let them know someone remembers.....

And you remember, that God puts these ideas into regular people's heads and then whispers to them to spread the word...

...............thanks Lille,

me

Christmas - let's not let it be "stress" in disguise..OK?

The happy times you have grown up to believe about Christmas can bring a lot of stress with it - making the season not so merry & bright.

Case in point. My daughter Brandi and her little family (Hi Johnny & Ella!) live very far from me in miles.

Not in my heart.

For the past couple of years, we have been blessed to have them come to Utah for a Christmas visit.

Last year ended on a scary note when we all got so sick, but we were all strong and we managed to have a wonderful time anyway.


Ella saw Santa again at the Mall and although she has aged a year - Santa really didn't look any different. See....
(must be all the North Pole cold air..) And, she even LIKED him this past year!

So this year, we were looking forward again to "the visit".

However, life happens.


Bills need to be paid.


Airline tickets, much like gas prices, home montages and everyday expenses have skyrocketed.

For the 3 of them to come all the way out is far too cost prohibitive.

And it would be ridiculous to pay those inflated prices.

I don't want the visit to be paid for "at any price".

And that makes me sad.


But what makes me proud is that they, as a young couple, are learning NOT to rely on credit cards.

They will pay for what they can afford at the moment without credit cards eating away their money, their lives.


And at this moment in time, a visit, while it could happen, would induce so much stress and frustration that it may not be as enjoyable as one might have thought.

And nether Randy or I want that for them.


Brandi is afraid of hurting me so she wrote to her Dad to tell him the news. I know she reads my blog, so I am writing here for all to see.

Brandi, it's OK.

Johnny, we are so proud of you and where you are in your career. And what you have done for my daughter and YOUR daughter!

Ella, Grammie loves you and will start sending your video clips of us as soon as Papa and I figure out exactly that works. So you will see me and hear me.

And you'll know that I love you. And that Papa loves you too. I may even get Braxton & Lulu to bark "hello" to you!

Christmas is a magical time. It's in your heart as much as it is in the "real world". We can be together in thoughts, calls and videos and dreams.

I know it's not the same and I know you are sad, but we'll see you all and when the time is right, it will be PERFECT!


So, don't be sad - be proud that you are strong enough to make this difficult decision.

I love you all three..
XXOO
me

PS - rumor has it Santa WILL come to New Jersey after all........

Have you changed your clocks???

I don't know about you, but I really dislike daylight savings time.

It's not the early darkness.

It's not that the cold comes earlier.

Or that you have to run around your house and change like a billion clocks- otherwise you have created even more time zones -like the "central bathroom time zone" - or the "east side back room time zone."

And then there's Arizona time.. (do they or don't they? And if they don't and we do, that makes it what time there??)

It's the MATH....

For those that know me, they know I don't "do" math...

Like in a checkbook. Or on debit card charges. Or in weight/caloric calculations.....or like if I was born in this year, it means that I'm how old...??

You know....math...

What I hate about changing times is having to talk to certain things and dogs about it.

I am a free spirit......I don't own a watch.....I will not be ruled by numbers...Yes! A "free spirit"!

And unlike the granola set (bless their hearts!) - I am not ruled by the tides or the phases of the moon...

I am ruled by my stomach. And Lulu.

How do I tell my stomach that it's not 1 o'clock and time for lunch anymore? That it is NOW 12 o'clock? And dinner? We USED to eat at 6 o'clock...but now it feels more like 7! Oh wait - that's because it IS 7 o'clock!

And Lulu...."No sweetie, it's not 5am anymore...it's 4!" Now cross those little legs and wait until the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand is on the 5! Go lay down, Lulu..no really..Mommy needs to sleep..

After all, I was up until 11..or was it 10? 12??

I am sooo confused!

g'night.....or is it g'morning??

me

Cake Decorating 101 - Or is that "Remedial Cake Making"?

OK, we're going to show this backwards...

You know, the results first, making you think it was oh-so-easy..

Then I'll show you what it took to get there..

It sounded innocent enough. I'd been thinking about taking a cake decorating class for a while after seeing some of what Kristina, my designer friend over at: http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/ has done with cupcakes.......... or cards........or scrapbook pages.... or photos or anything else she touches.

She a designer for goodness sakes, which should have given me a hint as to why everything she does looks sooo fabulous. Der....

But not unlike the Olympic gymnasts, doing what another person makes look easy is ANYTHING but easy...So, innocently enough, Heather and I signed up, not knowing the path to Cake Nirvana is ridden with chores...........

First, there's the "stuff".....list, find, gather, purchase, organize.........................

Then, the tools.......... Did I mention the mess????..........

Yes, that IS frosting on the paper towel holder....and the wall....and the counter....and the dogs...

But, I wanted that flat, smooth cake...you know like this...

Ahhh, perfection! Forget that I just had-to-have the HUMONGOUS cake leveler-cutter-saw-thingy to cut the perfect cake...As you will see shortly, one layer was, ahh, what's the word....SHORT. Like 1/2 inch. While the other perfectly level, smooth layer is, oh, I don't know...like 3inches...??

So, next week is oldest son Andy's birthday. Big-bad-biker-Dammit-Andy. Yep, his birthday. And I won't get to see him, so I made him this pretty flowery-pink and white cake with raspberry filling.. Just what a biker wants, yes???

And, what's even better is that once I snapped this photo for all time and eternity to show my devotion for my son by making him his birthday cake in absentee......PrestoChango!!

Add a "R"...and this same cake is now a "gift" for my patient husband..............Randy..........

I am soo clever!

So here's a few shots of how one cake mix, 2 pounds of powdered sugar, gel coloring, messy kitchen, frustrated practice, $100 in equipment, almost burned out mixer turned this average housewife into a baker-extraordinaire.............or at least a very large Keebler Elf.....

g'nite....and remember those famous words,

"Let them eat homemade, hand-decorated, messy expensive,frustrating, tilted, raspberry filled...

CAKE!!!"

me

I think blogging is so cool.....

Not just because it give me a way to empty my head - which is something I need to do on a regular basis.

I have so much floating around in there. And I need to make room for more. The ideas, the projects, the jokes I've heard. The things to do. Things to see. Things to read. What's for dinner?

You know...important stuff...

But blogging is more than a "to do" list for me. It's a way to learn. To share ideas. To make new friends.

And to get some really great "new ideas"

Thus the pattern picture...and the fact I love anything showing 3 girls - just like me and my sisters!

Anyway, while reading a blog of another blogger friend , I saw an idea she had gleaned from yet another blog - and I want to try it.

It's "paying it forward". Simple concept. You see it played out in commercials now -how someone sees someone doing something nice for another - just because it's the right thing to do. And the "observer" learns and then does for another....

And it makes you think. In a world gone mad, where only bad news is broadcasted, and in a dubious manner to be sure....
that all it takes is one act - one kindness - payed forward - not paid back - but paid ahead - to make things better. If not for all, for you.

Knowing that you are a part of something relatively small. One act. But HUGE.

So here's the idea from Karin of "meandering travels of mindless thoughts" - http://madrekarin.blogspot.com who got it from Dawn's www.thefeatherednest.com - She has taken the challenge from The Inspired Room and will be spreading joy to three lucky women: (this is quoted and taken from Karin's blog directly. Hope you don't mind, Karin! ) Here are the rules:

"So, the first three sweet commenters to this post who are willing to partake in this incredible opportunity will receive a little token of love from me. ( added here, this will be from me - Colleen)

Below are the rules of the game (copied from Dawn):

1. You comment on this post.
2. You receive a handmade gift from ME. ( now Colleen)
3. You post this message on YOUR blog and offer THREE more handmade gifts to the first three commenters.
4. Thus, the cycle continues and everyone has fun and beautiful crafts to display in their home.

I will contact you for your addresses. Please leave a comment if you choose. Spread your wings. Sprinkle joy. Lift another. Pay it forward."

So, let's spread our collective wings. And become a nation of women with wings.

love,
me