My truly, seriously, terriffic, totally-almost-free $.69 Christmas...

This year, Mr. B and me (I know that's not "proper" English, but it sounds cuter than "Mr. B and I" ..work with me here...) decided, as we do most years, to not give each other Christmas gifts, because, well, Santa always brings something for each of us and with all that we have, it's more fun to be the give-r instead of the give-ee.

We usually "cheat" on this plan, just a teensy-weensy bit, buying some little trinket. Like this year, Mr. B didn't technically buy me a gift, but rather saved some cash so I can have a good time in New Jersey visiting Ella for her 5th. birthday..

And I got...well.....inventive...

Received a $50-off coupon for any purchase $50 or more from the furniture store we bought our living room stuff from..

I thought maybe, just maybe, I could find something for $50 for him...so I took the coupon, along with one for $10 off of a purchase of $10 or more from Penney's, and went to the stores on Christmas eve.

Now remember, credit cards, debit cards and check are my mortal enemies, so I fully depend on cash..my "self-imposed" allowance..

So going to the store, I figured I'd need money for the tax on a $50 "free" item...and the tax for the $10 item...

Hmmm..what do I have in my wallet...

Shut-Up! No bills?? Change... Just loose change??

Yeppers..a whopping $3.54 in ...change...

First stop - so far, nothing in the furniture store for $50 - and remember, I can't go over...

I spot a throw for $39.67 (why do they price things like that anyway?)....

...take it up to the counter - they say "No, it HAS to be $50 or... more..."

(Que the "fishing-for-bigger-sales" ploy here...)

I can't (or don't want to) explain I HAVE no cash for "over"...

They say I can get something else to add up to the $50...

GEESH! Now I have to do ...math!?

So here I am walking around with "stuff" (OK, this candle is $11.46....add to that, this frame for ...uh...$11.27..that makes...is it hot in here??...uh...)

Panic is starting to set in...eager sales people are asking me if I've found everything...I am adding up in my head as fast as I can..let's see..so far I have..uh...$39.67 for the throw..plus $11.46..that's ..uh..and then $11.27...

That's when I spotted "IT"...a cute canvas..slowly approaching it I see the price...$50. 65 ! What?! Can this be true?!

As I run through the store practically throwing the little oddly-priced items back where they came from..I'm thinking in my head..."OK, slow down...tax rate is something like 6.8%..Oh geesh..where's a calculator when I need one?? (I was told later by my lovely daughter, "Mom, you DO know you have a calculator in your phone, right??"...uh..really?? Oh yeah, I knew that..uh huh..)



So I purchased this cute canvas, and get this, they only charged me the tax on the $.65!


It looks like a metal sign, but it's on a canvas...and probably not really worth $50.65 ..really..

But I knew the colors were good, that Mr. B would have something to open and we could both enjoy this...

Which brings me to Penney's...ever try to find something at Penney's for a man, for $10?? Not easy.

Do you know underwear is like $14.00??

So I looked and looked and finally found 2 pair of good 'ol socks - normally $20 (for 2 pair? Can you imagine??) that was marked down to $9.99..

Oh crap...will it HAVE to be the "$10 or more" routine again??

Nope. They rang it up and said, "Well, this one's a freebee!"

I practically ran out of the store..thinking they had made a mistake and someone would be chasing me down for my expensive men's socks...

So, gift of canvas image.........$.69

Men's heavy duty socks.....$.00

The look on Mr. B's face.......Priceless!


(here's the receipt for the canvas.. Pity the poor saleswoman who had to claim commission on that one...)

Best part? I still have money left over! Yep, I have...uh...let's see..$3.54 minus $.69.....9 from 14, carry the one,or is it borrow the one...uh..no, that's not right...

Has anyone seen my phone??

Happy bargain-hunting in the New Year!!

-me

Just like that..ffttt..it's over...

Time well spent, but quickly gone...

A little snuggling before we have to say "good-bye"....

"Do we have it all?"
Getting warm for the trip...

Bye Emily...

Bye Chris - thanks for driving out...

Bye April...love you..be careful and call when you get home...

And, they're off....
..We miss you already...

-Mom, Dad, Grandma and Braxie & Lulu

A winter day in sunny Utah...

8-year olds & puppy kisses.....

A bright "Hello" from the Misters......


... and the "misses"...


But with icicles and ....

21 degrees....


...take the picture....we're FrEEZInG our KNEES!!


Happy Saturday from a balmy 21 degree Utah day!
-me

..not rain, not sleet, nor snow in the mountains...

..can keep a determined daughter, son-in-law and grand daughter away when they discover they have a 4 day week-end.

And am I glad! This is the first year my daughter has not has her son, Brian (in college in Arizona) for Christmas and this is the first year I haven't had Ella and Brandi with us for Christmas (I'm going to see them in January for Ella's 5th birthday)

So we two mopey-heads-feeling-sorry-for-ourselves mother-daughter team decided to make everyone happy (...uh...as least ourselves..) and for us two-mopey-heads-feeling-sorry-for-ourselves-mother-daughter-team to get together! But, we were'nt really thinking about ................................the weather..

One would think that one would think about the weather, she being from Colorado and me in Utah- where they tout the "greatest snow on earth" I would think...

But we didn't..and they definitely had the luck of the Irish, the company of guardian angels, good karma, the "Force" and a great driver of a son-in-law..'cos they got here safe and sound...

Thank you all the Forces, Karmas, Angels, and Lucky Irish that were with them...



April and Emily...watching the dogs...

Santa must have left just ONE more present for Emily..naw.. just kiddin'..it was from Grandpa and me...
Oh, and Mr. B 2.0 sent these great T-shirts for the pups from San Diego ...Braxton didn't seem to mind too much..

OK, so the pictures are out of sync...Blogger and I don't always see "eye-to-screen" if you know what I mean... So this is Son-in-Law great driver, Chris..

OK, now back to the T-shirts...from San Diego..and Mr. B 2.0 ..

Braxton was like "OK, whatever, just as long as I get to sit on Mommy's lap..."


Lulu, on the other hand, was, well..less tolerant..."I'm so not happy with this ..."


"G.E.T. this O.F.F. me ...N.O.W."


But, oh how could you get angry at that beautiful face?? And, sitting like such a lady...??

Be careful out there and for those who've asked about the backgrounds..if you'll look at the top left on my screen you'll see a link to "Cutest Blog on the Block"..they have many, many FREE!

Have a Fun-day the day before Sunday and we have to go back to work on Monday..

Oh, sometimes I am just too much for me...

-me

All we are saying is....

Hahahahahahaa! And yes, all I think about is FOOD! :-)

Merry Christmas everyone!
-me

It's almost time...

..and last night was no different...did I ever tell you I work well under pressure? Well..sort of..


Made gifts for the girls at the office - gave the guys those little cakettes, but the girls are all watching their weight (oh, BTW, I lost another 3 lbs. last night..well, not last night exactly, but last week...) So, I made them little dry-erase boards for their desks...

...and these little monthly calendars that you set on your desk on a CD case as the easel..

This one is for Kim - lover of horses and a self-proclaimed "tom-boy"...

This is for our "Girly-Girl" Lindsy..She LoVEs shoes!

Braxie, on the other hand, handles pressure a little differently...ZZzzzzzz...warm & cuddly..

Merry, Merry, Safe Christmas to all my great Blogging-buddies.
You mean so much to me....
Thank you for a great year!

-me

Well, we just got a neat Christmas present at work...

They told us we didn't havta come in on Friday..the day after Christmas, and unlike so many other folks, we will be paid for that day and not have to use a holiday! And we will have a job to go to in the New Year...

I am very blessed...and very thankful.

I found some vintage Christmas images for you to use in your artwork - just right click and save them to your files. Hope you can use them -


A gentler time...does anyone remember muffs?? I had one. And a coat with a black fake-fur collar and cuffs that matched the muff. I think the coat was a green wool...I must've been about 4 or 5...in Chicago..
This one above reminds me of the kind of cards my Mother used to send out..
I like this one but I'm not fond of shortening "Christmas" to Xmas...



Awwww...kissy, kissy!
These little angels look waaay too serious - but I'll bet as soon as the photo was taken, they giggled and ran out of the studio and probably threw snowballs all the way home!...uh...you know...to Heaven..

Be careful out there. Drive cautiously on the black ice. Keep a blanket and a jar of peanut butter in the trunk (peanut butter won't freeze and you'll have protein) and a bag of kitty litter...no..not for that..for traction under your tires, silly!

Now, for my Arizona friends. Be careful out there. Drive cautiously on the hot pavement. Keep a bathing suit and bottle of water in the trunk (hopefully, the water won't boil and you'll not die of dehydration) Keep a bag of sun-block, a visor, sunglasses and the latest People magazine...not for the gossip, for the great articles, silly!

And have a joyful Tuesday!
-me

Recipe for a great Sunday afternoon...

A Good Right-before-Christmas-Sunday Afternoon

Serves: 4 Neighbor Houses
12 Office Gifts
12 Mr. B Co-Workers Gifts

Ingredients:

36 Pineapple Cakettes
36 Brown Lunch Sacks
36 Plastic Forks
36 Festive Napkins
36 Pieces of Torn Fabric
24 Gift Messages (English)
12 Gift Messages (Spanish)
1 Pair of Scallop Scissors
4 Gift Bukets for kiddos
(filled with candy, cookies, fruit and Wal-Mart gift cards)

Add:
1 "Muppets Christmas Carol" (for "packaging department" to watch)
1 C. Cuppa Chi Tea
1 Long craft table
1 Lg. Trash Bag (to score hoops when tossing trash into "-she shoots- she SCORES!"
1 Patient Hubby

Mix: with One "Delivery-Person" Mother-in-Law

Yield:
4 Happy neighbor houses
1 very happy (and satisfied) Main Street house
1 PRE-CHRISTMAS SUNDAY AFTERNOON OF FUN!

Have a great Monday - hi ho hi ho, it's off to work I go!!!

-me

Where, or where does the time go??

OK, so I know it was just Halloween...I still have the walker in patio.

And Thanksgiving? Just a speeding eat-feast in my mind..

And now, I feel sorta like these kids...


Tired, whinny, having to sit with a big guy in a red suit...no wait, that's Mr. B..sorry Hunny...

This guy looks like he's telling her something awful..like.."So you think you're getting a pony? Well NO. So there. You think I'm made of money or something..do you have any idea how much work a pony is?? Are you going to be the one cleaning horse-biscuits from the yard?? and did you just PEE on me???? Oh, no blondie, no pony for you!! And DO NOT kick me!"

Do they even SCREEN these guys??? This one looks like the Godfather incognito..
"Hey, Vinnie, see da kid on my lap? Nice bambino, and he's taking over the family business one day...so watch out for dis one.."

So, it's the hap, hap, happiest times of the year, huh...

Youbetcha !

hahahahaha!
-me

Oops...I almost forgot...

Today is Brandi's birthday! And how could I forget!!?? After all, her name is memorable - Brandi - spelled that way to make it different from the Cherry Brandy I lived on while extremely pregnant with her...

Yes, an explanation IS is order..lest you think me a bad Mom..


I had been having a LOT of false labor with her and one particularly bad experience, I was hospitalized, where they wanted to "relax the contractions" - with an alcohol IV...now remember, this was 33 years ago...
The IV caused a pulminary (sp??) embolism, so they had to remove it- and I went back into labor (I was only 6 moths along)
They decided to make me drink STRAIGHT whiskey - with only soda crackers...YUCK!

Well, it worked, the contractions stopped, I was drunk for 3 days in the hospital and when the Doc asked if I had any questions, I asked "what will happen if labor starts again?"He told me to start the alcohol again..BLAH...So I asked if there was anything more..palatable??

He said I could drink Cherry Brandy & Coke..so for the next 3 months, I was a regular LUSH!
And, the stubborn child then decided it was kinda fun INSIDE, just rollin' around in the booze-filled little "Womb of her own" ...and ended up 3 WEEKS LATE!!
What else COULD I name her?? I thought she was going to be the first baby enrolled in AA..
She's been a delight ever since. Good hearted, GREAT mother, fun sister and loving daughter..Johnny would have to remark on the kind of wife she is.. .. but I know she's great at that too!

So.......HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETHEART!

XXXOOOO

MUMSY

The little mug nobody wanted...

Last year at Christmas, while at the Cracker Barrel, I spotted this cute mug...or at least I thought it was cute...and thought of just the person to send her to...

Wrapped her carefully and lovingly, not to break off her handle or her..other...ah....udder parts...


..and sent her off to her new home... California!! You know what they say about "California cows" and all...happy, happy happy, contented, happy happy

Well, seems "they", whoever "they" are also say, "If you love something, set it free...if it comes back to you, you know it was meant to be.." or some flaky-hot-tub-therapist-granola-psychoanalysis-mumbojumbo crap..

Guess I must have really, ReALly loved it...'cos she CAME BACK to me today in the form of a Christmas gift...from California..Oh yes, you read right...

Yep, in the true spirit of re-gifting, my sweet brother-in-law (Mr. B v.2.0) and his lovely wife, for whom the gift was initially intended, sent this little darling ...back to me...HAHAHAHAHAA!

Ahhhh..that's too funny - she always HAtEd that mug...although I can't imagine why....it (wait for it................)

...it still utterly baffles me!!

PS - oh yes, they sent TONZZZ of great wonderfully wrapped gifts for us all, as they do every year - but this one.....well, let's just see where she spends NEXT ChriStMAs!!!!!!!!!!
Bwaaahaaa! (evil laugh)

-me

ps - for those wanting my "secret recipe" for the cakettes, a confession:

...don't tell anyone...but the Cakettes are totally cheater-cakes! They're from a mix...there, I've said it! I am not what I pretend to be...a baker at all, but someone who can find cake mixes on sale, buy jars, sanitize them in the "Sanitize-cycle" of the dishwasher (I didn't even do the whole "boiling -in-the-old-spaghetti-pot" thing ...just made the mix, used pineapple juice I drained from the rings for the liquid in the cake, sprayed the cleaned and air dried jars with Pam, sprinkled a little brown sugar in the bottom, put in the pineapple ring, cherry and about a large ice cream scoop of mixed cake mix, place on a cookie sheet (with no sides touching) bake for about 30 minutes, and as soon as they come out, place the seal part of the lid on them, then screw on the rings tightly (you'll need to hold the hot jars with a hot pad..) and listen for the "Ping"! Re-tighten the lids and, Viola! Cakes in a Jar - ready for the freezer for 6 months, or on the shelf for 6 weeks..(yeah, like any of them will last that long!!)

If you come up with any great combinations (we were thinking about orange cake mix, a little orange zest and chocolate chips!) let me know.

Decorate the jars with little rounds of scrapbook paper, paper doilies, cloth, or stickers, add a ribbon or twine and you're all set!

You know what they say...when the going gets tough..

...the tough make "cakettes"! Yeppers. Pineapple Upside-Down Cakettes in a jar..

First, we wanted to first thank all of you for your kind words, gracious thoughts and wonderful messages about Bones. We, as a family, thank you...

OK, so back to the cakettes - I even enlisted the help of Mr. B (actually, he volunteered )

We made 36 jar cakes and had enough batter to make 2 small cakes for the house. For us. Not for the house per Se...

Isn't he going to make the BEST Santa eVEr!!??

After I spilled, dribbled and misjudged the amounts, he got an ice cream scoop and waddaya know? Worked like a charm!

You have to work fast when they come out to pop the seals on then tighten the rings -then it just waiting for the "Ping"!

Can yo hear that?? They're ping-ing!!!! I'm no canner-type-person, but I've been told that's how you know it's sealed...

The cake seemed to be separating a little from the fruit, so, in honor of it's name...we turned them...UpSideDown!

Aren't they just the cutest little things EvEr??

How fun would this be at a dinner party to serve these little babies to individuals, complete with a little whipped cream garnish, or some mint leaves or....ohmygosh...a tiny umbrella!!
Moist, fresh, fun and totally portable! Love 'em! Next week, though, it's diet coke cake in them!

Sorry Lulu, puppies cannot have cake ..

Braxton was exhausted and tired of waiting...so he camped out in his one-of-many-favorite beds..this one in the kitchen..

Sweet dreams Braxie & Lu...Santa's coming soon and bringing toys, and squeaky men, and ropes and treats just for you!

Have a safe and warm tomorrow, my friends :-)
-me

At 5 pm on a snowy winter's evening...

...we said good-bye to our little cat, Bones.

She was close to 18 years old. We had her well before several grandchildren, during several country-wide moves and was the last of the little "tribe" of family pets that my own children knew..she came to us at 8 weeks..

Her kidneys gave out. She wouldn't eat. She wasn't in pain (or that we knew) but she slept a lot and drank lots of water - but no food...

The Doc thought it was in her best interest and all....


But it still hurts us. And we are in pain...


However, I wanted to share some of her funny, grand and elegant moments..




She had one ear bent over- when she was younger she was quite a "looker" - and I think she was probably in a real "cat-fight" when her ear was damaged. Doc tried to repair it and he did, but she had this little turned-down ear for the rest of her life...

She was not afraid of dogs. As a matter of fact, she thought them quite silly. And dumb. She'd swat Charlie as he walked down the stairs. (She was laying on her back on a lower step and get him as he walked past, never seeing her svelte body..) If you listened carefully enough, you could almost hear her giggle in delight...

She could bully the best of them...until Lulu (the Princess Warrior) came home to live with us.


The first time Lulu spotted Bones, she was inquisitive but not combative. Until, that is, Bones decided to swat her like she had Charlie for so long and how she continued with Braxton with absolutely no repercussions.

As I said, that was BEFORE she met Lulu...



Lulu was like "What the heck! Oh no you di-ent just swat me!!?" Girl, you're gettin' on my last nerve..."

Soon, Bones decided that the top of the house was not big enough for the both of them, so she moved downstairs to my Mother-in-Law's apartment. There she was once again the Queen- the only pet- the pampered one..

Braxton and Lulu were not allowed down into the Queen's quarters - and there she lived, happy and pampered for the rest of her days.

The occasional outings in the sun, the checking to see if the dogs were in the yard or not, became fewer and fewer.

She slept more, played less. But she always, always, was beautiful, elegant, kitten-like and playful.....on HER terms..

I held her tonight, stoked her and told her it was OK to go..she nudged her little head under my hand and let me rub her chin...she was in a special little soft-bed and was warm and happy. She was given the dose in her already-placed IV from last evening...so there was no pain..only the sweetness of the moment..and she was gone.


She is preceded in death by her sister, Noodles, her good friend, Sam the cat, Little old Mary-Kate ,our adopted Maltese, and her doggie-brother Charlie.

She is survived by Braxton, Lulu and many children and grandchildren that loved her. And by her Grandma - that took such delight in her constant presence for the past 5 years.

And of course, she is missed already. By us. By all of us.

-me

Good Mornin' Sunshine!!

Yeeeeah. It's still dark out. And snow's coming. And it's not really "sunshine-y" yet.



But sunshine can be a noun or an adverb..right? Sunshine can be a feeling...a manner...an attitude...a color, too.



So, yeah, Good Mornin' Sunshine!



OK, so I had to go to the post office yesterday on my lunch hour. I thought I'd go later in the afternoon to beat the crowds.



Yeeeeah. Good thought...not maybe a good plan..the lines were long, however, the people were happy. Well, not happy the lines were long, but most seemed to be sending off Christmas cards or gifts. Probably not too many sending off stuff like over-due bills or payments for traffic tickets..



And, while in line. a few conversations came "Oh, I love your scarf! Did you make that?" and "Oops! I need a pen to correct this address! Can I borrow yours?" and of course. 'Geeze it's cold! Did you feel that wind??"



So, it was not so bad. Wish the Christmas spirit could be around on April 15th - when lots of people are in line, grumpy, mean and sometimes..rude.



Anyway, I stopped by the book store ( hey, it was on the way....) And I found a GREAT book for all of you dog lovers...or human spirit lovers...or just people out there.



It's called "Old Dogs" and it has wonderful stories, wonderful photos and it just the best thing I've read in a while.



I didn't go in there to buy a book - but how could I NOT buy this?? A great gift for anyone that you have still to buy for.

Look at that face!! How can you NOT love that?? An excerpt:

"Old dogs can be cloudy-eyed and grouchy, gray of muzzle, graceless of gait, eccentric of habit, hard of hearing, wheezy, lazy, and lumpy. But to anyone who has ever loved an old dog, these things are of little consequence. Old dogs are sweetly vulnerable. They show exorbitant gratitude and limitless trust. They are funny in new and unexpected ways. But above all, they seem at peace." - from the Introduction

Have a fun, safe and warm Tuesday, OK?

-me

Well, I was caught...

...in the toy isle at Wal-Mart...

It was totally embarrassing. One minute Mr. B was there, right behind me, so I thought it was safe to...



......sniff the doll heads.

I know, I know. It's not an easy thing to admit..but once a "new doll smell" addict well......

Suddenly, laughingly, embarrassed-ly, I said to him, "Oh I guess I'd better stop before someone thinks I'm wierd..."

But to my surprise, Mr. B was NOT the person I was talking to. Oh no.

It was a very nervous looking young father...who after I spoke, did not make eye contact...and I could imagine him saying to his young daughter..." Avert your eyes!"

He was about as amused as this woman...yeah..not my best moment.

Do you remember these trees? We had one! My Aunt Alice and her husband Joe manufactured them and I guess made lots of money. They sent us one, complete with a "color wheel" and we watched as the silver tree turned red, green blue and yellow...

Weird.

And I know weird.

Oh, and while most of the cashiers aren't quite as happy as this guy ( is he FLIRTING ??!!), we did have a young cashier at Wal-Mart who was in good spirits, cheerful and a little bit humorous ..huh...imagine...

And no, I didn't buy a doll just to get that "new doll smell"...either I was stuffed up or they don't smell that way anymore.

Sad, really...

I was totally disappointed.

Seriously.

I would have bought myself that doll if it had that smell...

It didn't. So I didn't.

Isn't it funny how a smell like that can transport one back to childhood? I must have gotten my fair share of new dolls at Christmas to associate that smell with having a great Christmas .

Anyway, by the time I found Mr. B, all I could say was "don't ever leave me standing in the isle again. OK? Please?"

....but I didn't tell him the rest of the story.

Don't want him to think I'm weird..

And, no, I don't think it's too late for that....

Well, maybe...a little..

Have a fun, great smelling week ahead and if you're in a store, in the toy isle, sniff a doll head or two to see f it can bring back memories..

( and, Mr. B. no, I don't think sniffing doll heads all those years was hazardous to my health. And, no I don't think that's why they stopped making them with that smell..)

-me

The Griswold Family Christmas...

...You know the one. With Chevy Chase - "Christmas Vacation".???.

The scene with Clark sitting along on the attic, dressed in the old clothes, watching old movies of his past Christmas'..and crying because everyone looked so young and little..

Well, that was ALMOST us tonight...Mr. B and me, after the kids and the neighbors had left Saturday night dinner...

Old videos with Charlie, our little dog, before the cancer took him...

And the house, pre-remodeling projects that seem so common place now.


Grandkids who were shorter than you...before the thought even crossed our minds that we'd have 2 more Grandkids ...

Great memories. And a good reminder of what we have now. Things we take for granted..the new couch..the kitchen floors...PAINT for goodness sakes!

A lot of hard work, love and laughter has made this house a home and I love seeing the transformation in a 45 minute video shot almost 10 years ago.

Yep, now the Grandkids are as tall or WAY taller than me....and. we have 2 more grands...Emily & Ella...Braxton & Lulu have have continued Charlie's work of walking us, training us and generally keeping us fit to be in society.

The house is fresh, the season of thankfulness and reflection is upon us, there's new fresh snow on the ground and I'm going to bed...

Here's one of my favorite conversations from the movie:

Clark: Since this is Aunt Bethany's 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of Grace.

Aunt Bethany: [turns to Lewis] What, dear?

Nora Griswold: Grace!

Aunt Bethany: Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.

Uncle Lewis: They want you to say Grace.

[Bethany shakes her head in confusion]

Uncle Lewis: The BLESSING!

Aunt Bethany: [they all pose for prayer] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands/ One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Clark: Amen.

Amen.

-me

A Merry Chris-Moose, a good idea,a funny old photo and a kiss goodnight from Braxie...

Yeppers. We Utahns..we Utahers....ah..we that live between Colorado and Nevada..it seems, will decorate anything..

I give you ......TA DA....The Christmas Moose....

..Found at a local theater where my company had it's Christmas dinners show..

Not odd enough for you?? How about a cow..steer...BULL....

ANd..how's about we decorate them even after they're DeAd??

Oh yeah, they probably were "dead" in all the photos, huh?

Now, I present, the "good idea"...and it's from Ikea...Hahahaa...ah, sometimes I just crack me up....OK, so here's what I did..

I purchased an el-cheap-o plate rack (I think it was like $2.99) and decided to place some of my favorite "sitting-in-the-char-with-tea" books in it...

Just at my fingertips...and looking pretty snazzy for $2.99....

And, so WHAT were they looking at??? Was it Momma kissing Santa Claus or what??

And, no, that is NOT Mr. B v.1 or 2..

Maybe we should have named him "Snowflake"..or Snow...or.. Fla...hey...he's certainly not a flake.........Nah...Braxton is a perfect name..even if he did already have it when he adopted us..


So from Braxie and me...{{Goodnight Smooches}}}


-me

My “Homer Simpson” moment…

Yes, I think I may be channeling Homer...

OK, so now that I’ve started my weight loss (down 25.6 so far!!) I allow myself one of Wal-Mart’s own brand of chocolate chip cookies every day…or night..which ever the case may be.

Me - this past summer.....

Me - now...uh..as of today...notice my nifty new computer glasses? I still have my signature ( but out of fashion, but I love them) round ones...

Their cookies are actually better in points, calories and fat than Weight Watchers and I feel as if I’ve had a “real” cookie..

I have taught myself to take teensy-weensy bites and savor every gram of cookies – previously I could have eaten 6 without so much an remembering the taste..

So, I sit, in total quietness and enjoy my one cookie….usually under the cover of darkness- when I let Lulu go potty in the middle of the night.

While waiting, I can eat my little cookie, take my teensy-weensy bites and really enjoy..

Seems last night I was more tired than usual…I fell asleep, apparently with cookie to mouth.


Woke up some time later..trying to figure out where I was and what I was doing, when I “discovered” the cookie, still pretty much in-tact, on my chest..

I was delighted!

The only words I heard seemed to come directly from Homer......

“Mmmmm! Cooookie..!!”

(I know Homer prefers donuts, but given the chance to have cookies, I’m most certain he’d enjoy them with the same gusto!)


Yep, Lulu didn’t take if from me (thank you Lord) and I didn’t drop it..and there was still some to take teensy-weensy bites left for me…

AND, it wasn’t time to get up!

Life doesn’t get much better that this!

Happy Friday…..and release your inner-Homer!!

-me

I thought I knew..

..what I wanted to write tonight, but then today I heard this song by Faith Hill and I wanted to share it all with you...



No...I'm not going to sing it and I don't really know how to "link"you to the YouTube video, however, because I want you to really hear the lyrics, here they are - I think you'll be pleased.



And if you have a moment, search for Faith Hill's "A Baby Changes Everything" and listen to a most beautiful song- one of my new favorites:

"A Baby Changes Everything"

Teenage girl, much too young

Unprepared for what’s to come

A baby changes everything

Not a ring on her hand

All her dreams and all her plans

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

The man she loves she’s never touched

How will she keep his trust

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

And she cries,

oh she cries

She has to leave, go far away

Heaven knows she can’t stay

A baby changes everything

She can feel it’s coming soon

There’s no place, there’s no room

A baby changes everything

A baby changes everything

And she cries and she cries

O she cries

Shepherds all gather 'round

Up above, the star shines down

A baby changes everything

Choir of Angels say

Glory to the newborn king

A baby changes everything -everything, everything, every day

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

My whole life is turned around

I was lost and now I’m found

A baby changes everything
A baby changes everything….

-me

Weather report...clear skies with a GOOD chance of happy..

OK.... so what's better than to watch a child with Santa .. oh... other than the child being one of your Granddaughters to get you out of a "winter funk"??

Smile for the camera...

Santa asking if Emily "always" does her chores.....and Emily thinking about the best way to answer...

"Um...not always..."

Here's to honest children, happy Santas that have probably heard every excuse in the book...

And ending up with a great Christmas gift directly from Santa!!

So, have a great {honest} winter week and sometimes we really have to look for a remedy for the "Open-mouth-grumpies"....but the remedy IS out there...sometimes in an email from a caring daughter....

-me

Reflections of how I SHOULD feel..

Nothing like the wonder of a child at Christmas time...

However, this is more how I feel today ..(I actually do LOOK a little better...hopefully...)

And although MOST boys don't have cooties..and, almost all of the ones I know don't ...somehow this sign just spoke to me today...


And, aren't these just the happiest faces you've seen in a while????

Yep, I'm sure of it...I slept with my mouth open and all the "grumpies" got in that way..

..so now I have a case of Blah-Blah and I think I need to take a hot bath, a good cuppa tea, finish looking through my Christmas magazines and get ready for a great week's-end!

See, I'm feeling better already!

Now, if I can change my mood just be giving into it and crabbin' to you, imagine how powerful you all are to me! Thank you!

There. Good. So, have a good day...and it's almost Friday! And almost Christmas! And almost the end of the year! And..........Hmmm...well....the end of this post.

-me

So, where do you clothes-shop for YOUR duck???

Do you remember Harmon?? He's our duck that my sister Kathy bought for me about a year ago..

He's been through a lot (actually lost his head once..)so when it came to inviting him to my Cookie Swap, I knew he needed a "make-over" for the holidays!

Trouble is, where do you shop for party clothes for your duck?

All the "Santa" hats were too big, and, the jingle bells, well, none were just "right" for him.....

Until I found these...! Here's his "reveal"!!..

OK, so he really doesn't like the paparazzi, but with looks like his, ya gotta expect some publicity..

So, even though they weren't here, I wanted to be surrounded by my family. Here's Gerri, me

(pre-gray), Kathy and Larry..

And Mother & Daddy, looking like Mr. & Mrs. Claus - all he needed was the beard..

Prepping for the party was an all-nighter...bags to be filled, cakes to be baked..."door prizes" to be decided...

Labels for the tops of the jar cakes to be cut out...

Quick! I need a diet Coke to help me stay alert!.....uh, at least awake...

Don't they look cute!!

All lines up waiting for their twine ties..24 of these little suckers...

Can you say .."ahhhhhh.."

Lookin' good...

You know, when you go to the dollar-store, you sometimes get "tricked" into thinking you're getting the "good-stuff" for a lesser price? I mean, they copy the labels and sometimes you have to read really carefully?..then you get it home and notice it's Ivery soap, or Spic & Spawn..

..or V-7 juice? How about Peter Pin Peanut Butter ?? Yeah..

So we thought we were safe to buy gift bags..when we found this poor misfit...

Notice anything?? Yep. Trying to carry this would be...akward..

Here's the one woman assembly line...

Lots of goodies from the House Party on-line party line (where you hold a party, and you have sponsors that send you, the hostess, gifts to promote their stuff..not like preach about it, just make the goodie bags..) http://www.houseparty.com/

Mother-in-Law picked up some door prizes as well...

Here's a look at some of the decorations..this strainer I picked-up at an Estate sale..(I bought it..didn't want you to think I "picked it up"..if you know what I mean..)

The nest is real as are the eggs(shells- no eggs per se)..

A rooster and a hen Gerri got for me..

Yes, even my kitchen has a "splash of red"..)

Because we were having s "soup day", I didn't want to have flimsy paper bowls and you know me well enough to know I'm not really "into" cleaning ..so we got these at the dollar store for the soup - then the guests could rinse them out and take them home..(notice I said the guests could rinse them??..yeeeaah..)

Some of the guest are arriving!!

We even had one young man who helped entertain the pups..so they got cookies too!

In keeping with a simpler Christmas this year, we decided to get a teensy-tree. That way I'll only get half as depressed when I have to take it down in March...hahahaha..didja catch that one? Seriously, I take it down the end of the first week of January..

Bring 'em young and teach them about cookie swaps early..

"Let the swapping begin!" Had so many cookies, we used 2 tables downstairs...

Yes, I made them wear name tage..after all, I was up late the night before and ..well..you know how easily I can forget things..like the names of my co-workers...

Braxton waited patiently for someone to drop something..(no one did) and Lulu was having a bad-hair day and decided she didn't want it captured on film...

Everybody's cookies were incredible as is evident on the faces....

There were 13 of us there, co-workers, neighbors and old friends...here's the "office" bunch...

Don't expect us to be serious for too long...

When the eating, the cookie swapping and the photos were taken, it was time for ....CRAFTING!

We made gift tags and origami gift boxes..all were adorable!

So, didja ever have one of those parties that you plan, work hard on to prepare, stay up late then get up early to be ready and no one has any fun????????

Me neither!!!!!!!!!!!

We all had a blast! Next year, I'd like YOU to be here too!

Have a great Monday and don't eat too many cookies.....yeah, right...have we meet??

-me

Thursday ramblings….

There are some questions that just beg new answers…

‘Watcha doin’?” is one that jumps to mind..

When someone calls on the phone (that’s a funny thing to say..what else would they be calling on..) ...or they ask from another room- our first response is usually “nuthin’”

I think I’ll start coming up with some things I have always wanted to be doing the next time someone asks..

- lowering my cholesterol

- seeing how long I can hold my breath before I pass out

- measuring the length of my arms

- learning to whistle through my fingers

- connecting the freckles on my hand

- naming my toes

- wondering if what I see with my eyes closed is really the insides of my eyelids

- designing u-turn signals to send to car makers

- trying to brush my teeth with my left hand

And speaking of Christmas – do you remember what your last doll was?

Mine was Pollyanna. I had just seen the movie with Haley Mills – I wonder if that’s available on disc?

Anyway – I remember her straw hat, gingham dress and bloomers. And her blond curls…

I love love love the smell of new dolls heads. Not that I’ve ever gotten just the heads – but I thought it would be silly to go around smelling…well…anything else.

Even after my kids were grown, I could be caught smelling the dolls in the toy isle..

Haven’t done that for a while – I wonder if they smell the same. It just makes me happy. I’m going to have to go shopping and find the doll section again.

Hope the great smells (memories) haven’t changed…
.
Do you have weird smelly-memories..wait...that doesn't’t sound right…out-of-the-ordinary-smelly-memories…memories of out-of-the-ordinary....

Christmas-smells..yeah..that sounds better..

OK, so remember, do your facial exercises...mine are working, huh?!

" Kissing your nose will tighten your waddle.."

Exaggerate your vowels....

Aye, Eee, Eye, Oh, You..

Have I mentioned I have ADD??

Yeah, nuff said.

-me

Well..hello there!...

Come on in...guess what I'm doin' ??


Meet my new best friend --not it's not "new" exactly any more..we got it to "go" with the kitchen a few years ago..Mr. B always wanted one and I always wanted one too, if it could be red....


Anyway, since I'm making cookies for the Cookie Swap I'm having on Saturday (for which any of you are welcome to stop by..)..I thought I'd actually try to use it..and guess what?

It works!

These are a new cookie recipe that I found on BHG.com..they're Berry-Sage Thumbprints...and they're YUM-O..made with sage, cornmeal, and eggyolks...with flour, vanilla, and the regular stuff...butter...Mmmmm!

Oh, and grated lemon peal..is that spelled correctly? It looks funny..p-e-a-l...pele..peel..Oh yeah...peel.. and even though they may sound weird - they're really good..

Last night I tried another new one- this one is "Sorta-Homemade"...you start with refrigerated peanut butter cookie dough, then add chocolate chips and crushed banana chips!

Then, just when you think they can't get any better, you roll them in that coarse sugar...Weight Watcher's forgive me for I'm about to sin...

I love bakery twine!!

Yeah baby..makes a bakin' Momma proud!

So, party time is almost here..soup, salad, and assorted breads first, then the cookie swap!

Gift bags for taking home and bakery boxes filled with everyone's "favorite" cookies!

What could possibly be better?

Oh yeah....if YOU could be here!

Have a safe Thursday and remember to LAUGH...(I'll bet it's good for those neck muscles, too!)

-me

Remember those boats that you pull the cord and it immediately blows up??

Sometimes that's how I feel...

History lesson- circa 1964 - a 14 year old very fair-skinned girl decided to get a tan - THAT DAY - so she slathers on Baby Oil and burns like yesterday's lasagna..

She finds if she keeps trying, she actually changes to a slightly darker shade of "fair"..
What? A tan line?? MOI??

Then after several week of blisters, sunning, more blisters, sweating and so on..
...the rains came..she can't go "tanning" for, get this... day or 2..and it FADES - it's gone..no tan line..nadda..

Flash forward several years...dieting..exercising..fasting..and whaddaya know?

I'm (I mean "she's") thin! Oh happy day! (yeah..DAY!)

So, I...uh...she feels she can now have that one owey-gooey piece of pizza...and then, just like the boat..somebody pulled the string and WOP! She was "chubby" again..

It's now years later...loosing weight again but worried about a massive waddle- you know...a chin that goes to her chest...

Learning about neck exercises, I've been doing some that I found on the web every day..As a matter of fact..several times a day...in the restroom, in the car...on my walks...

.."make exaggerated vowels A, E, I O and U several times" and "try leaning your head back then while back- "kiss" your nose!"

This may look funny to passer-bys,( ya think??) but I keep trying.

Then I remember my past - and I think about balloons...

..you know, you blow them up and they're nice and tight...but if yo let the air out...they'll never be the same...saggy and limp. Poor balloons. Poor chin(s)...

While they are chubbed out, at least they are firm...sort of.....if I exercise and loose the weight, will my chin look like that POOR balloon?

And if not, will I have to do these silly facial aerobics FOR-EVER??

Ah, such is life...and the pursuit of happi...I mean, firmness.

So if you see me and it looks like I'm havening some sort of "spell" ...just wave and keep going...

My chin(s) just might wave back..

-me

What is it about the Andy Williams Christmas show...

... that can transport one back to the 60's faster than a speeding taco?

Maybe because "in the olden days" everything was simpler...

yeah....right. I was a young mother of 4 little kids and a "starter husband" which, for most people, would make them shy away from marriage forever..

But I remember watching the Andy Williams Christmas special, wanting to be a part of his family. They all looked so happy and even his toddler daughter and his (then) wife, Claudine Longet, were dressed alike!

I thought it was the cutest thing ever..and, because my own toddler daughter looked very much
like the little girl, I thought ..well..maybe if I could sew..

Bygones. Couldn't sew then, can't really sew now. But if you catch it on PBS, you'll see what I mean - they were ADORABLE!

I remember lighting some candles, missing my parents who were in California (we were in Arizona) and it was too warm to even think about Christmas. I probably needed the "swamp cooler" on just so I could have the candles!

But, it was the BEST show of the season. And still is.

I saw one of the "extras" with barrel curls in her hair - remember those? In your fancy "up-do" you'd have these big, fat curls that were sprayed to rock hard...or, if you didn't have long enough hair, you could buy a piece with fake curls and bobby-pin in your own stumpy hair to make it look like a fancy up-do!

I hadn't thought about that in years...

The Osmond's sang, the Williams brothers were dressed head-to-toe in bright colors (even sporting red V-neck sweaters, white turtle necks underneath (unless they were...Heaven forbid..dickies!) and red pants AND shoes!

In the next year - they were all dressed in green - complete to the shoes. And the V-neck sweaters. And the white turtle necks..

But we enjoyed them then, and I enjoyed them tonight. Sweet. Not rapping-changing-the-words-to-be-cool , just good ol Christmas music.

If you get a chance where you are..watch..and remember..that is, if you're old enough to even know who Andy Williams is!

Happy December oneth..

-me