Impatience…

I know I’m impatient at times, but the part before a trip truly tests my ability to not ricochet off the walls.....waiting to head to the airport – ready to move forward and have a fun trip…...just have to wait…

Potter Puppet pals...

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas….

“Through the years we all will be together, if the Fates allow” – has the same effect on me as “When time, shall have severed us far, and the years their changes bring”. It’s one of my absolute favorite songs…..

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yule-tide gay
From now on our troubles will be miles away

Here were are as in olden days
happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us,
gather near to us once more

Through the years we all will be together
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Merry Christmas!

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Need a little Christmas now.....

Haul out the holly;
Put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
Fill up the stocking,
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.

For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute,
Candles in the window,
Carols at the spinet.

Yes, we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.
It hasn't snowed a single flurry,
But Santa, dear, we're in a hurry;

So climb down the chimney;
Put up the brightest string of lights I've ever seen.
Slice up the fruitcake;
It's time we hung some tinsel on that evergreen bough.

For I've grown a little leaner,
Grown a little colder,
Grown a little sadder,
Grown a little older,
And I need a little angel
Sitting on my shoulder,
Need a little Christmas now.

For we need a little music,
Need a little laughter,
Need a little singing
Ringing through the rafter,
And we need a little snappy"Happy ever after",
Need a little Christmas now.

Quietly Cheering...

I got the days off, I bought the plane tickets, I'm going to Tennessee next week - 3 whole days of fun with friends that I have not seen in about 7 months - it feels like ages.

You can talk on the phone but it's not the same as being with them - live and in person.

YAY!!!!!! (insert giddy, bouncy, happy but trying to still be serious at work me here)

Traditions.....

I'm a sucker for tradition - I think that most people know that......

Every year in high school, we sang “Let There Be Peace on Earth” as a closer to our Holiday Concert - alumni would join us and Quam would be in all her glory – it was replaced by the Lutkin Benediction (lovely melody, but I prefered the first song). The last two verses were always sung with such fervor - if you *just* sang it, it would happen....

I happened to find the concert tapes while I was cleaning - they are in the car right now, adding to my festive spirit…..

Let there be peace on earth,
and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth,
the peace that was meant to be.

With God our Creator,
Children all are we,
Let us walk with each other,
in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
let this be the moment now.
With every step I take,
let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment in peace, eternally.
Let there be Peace on Earth,
and let it begin with me.

I am seriously overdue for a visit.....

Texts back and forth about snow = 27

Pix of snow sent = 3

Hugs & love received via text & voice mail = 12

Level of missing my little monkeys = incredible

Wrote this a week ago....

I wrote this a week ago, didn't feel like sharing it then.....but it has been bugging me, so out it comes - *gasp* - "into public".....

Deployment – the word hits me like a punch in the gut – I am proud of anyone who serves our country but selfishly I don’t want my friends to die (not that they will). There is a risk and they know that when they signed up – it’s their choice.

One definite and two “most likely in the next year” – finding this out in the space of a week – ouch.

One of them is quite a ways off but thank God I found out in a group setting - I know that I totally had the “someone just killed my puppy” look on my face – I felt like I was going to pass out – so much for being supportive…….

But we all know that I make one hell of a pen pal and if that’s what I can do to help boost someone’s spirits/keep them entertained/provide distraction while they serve our country, then I will do it and help in my own little way!!!

Lobster?

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No Cabin Fever Here....yet....

Things to Do to Avoid Cabin Fever.....

1. Clean everything that doesn't move
2. Break in new baking stone
3. Enjoy the freshly baked cookies
4. Wrap presents
5. Take a nap (or two)
6. Decide that you want grapefruit - waste half an hour trying to figure out how to get to the store despite the snowfall
7. Clean off car - twice
8. Break the new baking stone (ugh) - clean carnage from the oven
9. Finish Christmas cards
10. Wrap more presents
11. Ponder the benefits of having a "buddy" to get snowed in with (mental note for next time)
12. Harry Potter movie marathon
13. Decide that you want cranberry juice and repeat the grapefruit quest process
14. Read "Breaking Dawn" (still not done!)
15. Field texts from people fascinated by snow pictures
16. Play on ITunes and grump at computer's speed - new RAM is only a few days away!!! :-)

Good Question!

My sister in law asked if I could will her my diaries when I died – she believes that there may be some interesting stuff in them. (mainly because I wouldn’t let her go through my cell phone – lol)

Yes, there is, BUT those journals will not be let out into the world.

Anyway, she brings up a good point - what am I going to do with all of them?

I think that in about ten years I will have to start destroying them – save the date – bonfire time!

*YAWN*

Lazy snowy day.....so nice to just be at home and taking care of random things.......and then taking a nap.....*yawn*......so nice, so cozy, so warm........

Neither rain, no sleet, nor snow.....

Neither rain, no sleet, nor snow will prevent the "Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz".....

Crafty Night....

Wine and making ornaments - a great fun evening last night! And of course there were many, many double entendre jokes - given the nature of the project, it was impossible to avoid.....

Wine Rebate Overload....

I can't resist a deal - I have many, many wine rebates (plus the wine I bought this past weekend) - who is gonna drink all this with me??

Tee-hee....I'm sure that I can gather up some volunteers....

Silly Bunny...

Candy Cane Pen....

On one of my “dealsmith” trips a week ago, I got candy cane pens as stocking stuffers for certain small children in my life…...well, I needed a filler item too, so it all worked out.

Anyway, I kept one and am now using it at work.....I enjoy keeping my inner kid alive – life’s too short to be uptight - plus the ink smells like a candy cane....

I have to write out my Christmas cards tonight, so, if you get a card from me and the ink is black – you may want to sniff it……hee hee hee..….

R.I.P. Good Grammar....

Bad grammar irks me more than some people - must be the whole having an English Teacher as a parent thing.......there may be a cure though...


Society of Promotion of Good Grammar

Angry Quadropeds...

These used to be napkins - the girls were a bit bored/pissy that I was away so long.....

Hey - Car Fire!!

Car fire on the way back – we saw it just after it happened – the first fire truck was just getting there. Luckily everyone was out of the car and safe. But seeing this just reminds me that life is way too short.

Cork use!!

My coffee table is getting pretty darn full of corks - I only keep the ones where I have actually consumed the wine & do not save duplicates - I saw these "grape clusters" - may have to make some!

Ooo, look a chicken!!

"Ooo look a chicken" - that is how our winery tour began - no joke, there were chickens outside and I stoppped mid sentence during check in to say "Ooo look a chicken".

My brother drove us to drink - literally - we toured the lower Hudson Valley wineries during their "Wreath Fineries at the Wineries" event. By bringing a GPS, we were able to hit 9 out of the 10 wineries in 1 day because we didn't get lost. I stayed below budget and only bought 1 case of wine - a nice mix from all the places we visited.

We also played "Beat the Limo Full of Drunks", "Watch out for Melted Black Ice - AHH!" and "Where's the Nuts on the Road?" (only found a penny & a used band aid – no cashews or acorns - lol)

Funny moment - "I’m bored – can I go through your purse?" "OK.....Wait, not the cell phone, look through ANYTHING but the cell phone!!!" "Why?" "Umm, just give it back, give it back, hand it over.....now.....please!!!" Sheesh - I have to lock my phone around adults now. :-P

Ladies & Gentlemen - The Lamp!

The lamp came onstage with Instrument last night - rather amusing and it had to be photographed.

I had a blast last night - even made some new friends.

The highlight reel:

“Ten Penny on Instrument” – I thought I was going to place a bet on a horse

Drunk Kansas guy – “Don’t marry a girl in the Navy” and my name ends with a C – find me on FB!!

Italian Jamie – the boy wears Chucks – instant pinkie-swearing shot buddy

Dance partner reunion – “Hey, I know you!!”

Shiny potato sack – still laughing at that one

Jennifer Hill playing the song that was not sung by Jesus

Hitler had a German Shepherd named Blondi??

Are you petting me? Meow!

Ok, I have a thing for carrots – no need to give me the rest of the garnish – ha, ha.

No gig is complete without some Polka – why was I the only one that knew how to?

Seeing my favorite Mouseketeers and making Mickey jealous that I shared a chair with Minnie – until the knee incident – lol.

Finally got to see Jesse Newman play!

I'm tired but in a good way – it was very well worth staying later than I had planned to.

Brocorri....

Brocorri cat....

LOL here.....

Not guilty – y’all got to feel me!

H to the izz O, V to the izz A (hey, it says Vizzy!)
I am SO grateful that I was able to appeal my traffic ticket. Especially since I got a ticket a month before I got this one - on Mother’s Day – on my way to meet up with mom – who called me 10 minutes after getting the ticket to tell me that she was running late and to take my time. Not worth it to hike back up to the Berkshires to contest it so I lost my “Good Driver” discount on my insurance. I hadn’t gotten a ticket in 7 years!!!

I got this one back in June, speeding up to pass someone – clocked at 83 in a 65 – whoops, but not a full 20 mph over the limit.

So, I went in – didn’t argue, just stated my case about wanting a lesser penalty since I was definitely driving faster than the posted limit and could not argue with a radar. I explained why I paid the previous ticket and then showed proof of my 7 years without a ticket. The magistrate said” Good girl for telling the truth. Your attitude is refreshing” and sent me on my way with my official “Not Guilty” sheet.

Yay!

Fruitcake Uses...

Tis the season - enjoy!

If you are someone who actually enjoys fruitcake than this post is not for you and I would like your address so I can send you any fruitcakes that I receive.

On the other hand, if you don't like fruitcakes and you received one this year, then here are a few other uses for it.

1. Toss it in the freezer (mark it well) and use it as filler so the freezer is more efficient
2. Use it as a candle holder. Smush 2-3 candles into the top and any wax that drips will add to the 'beauty' of the holder
3. Sit it outside in the winter to harden and use it as a 'paper weight' for the newspaper or to scrape the snow and mud off of your boots.
4. Prop up something, like a recipe book while you are cooking
5. If you have multiples, use them for book ends or for weight while gluing something for a craft project
6. Depending on the shape, round ones are best, you can use them as boosters for reaching items or for kids in chairs
7. Hide valuables in it by hallowing out the middle and placing your expensive jewelry in a baggie, inside. I guarantee you the burglars will pass this one up.
8. Hardened fruitcake can be used as an alternative to a brick or shoe for hammering or for squishing bugs
9. Drop it on the floor in front of the door as a door stop
10. Cut up the fruitcake for your family's new tradition, fruitcake sports, such as - fruitcake shot-put or the fruitcake hurl.
11. Keep a fruitcake in the trunk of your car for weight or for when you need to chock the front of your tire when jacking up your car
12. Drop a smaller fruitcake in your toilet tank to save on water
13. A great emergency anchor for your boat
14. Slice it up for any wobbly furniture
15. They make great pin cushions!
16. Since animals won't eat it, use it to plug the critter holes in your house
17. Use as an alternative to hay bales or bricks

And added by one of my friends....
18. Fruitcake battle ax
19. Fruitcake crash helmet.

Lawn Wars...

How to run your business into the ground…

Just some examples....

Get your facts straight before jumping to conclusions – yelling at the company that you want to do business with because you confused their name with someone that sold you faulty machinery is not a good strategy. Attempt to live load 5 containers in 1 day with a 3 man crew and no overtime. Look at the balance sheets and exclaim “Oh, we owe more than we have coming in – that’s bad!”

Take all your papers from your desk and put them in one drawer so that the desk is clean. Then try to find the bank statements that you need for the accountant. Open the drawer and say “I think that they are in there somewhere – oh, we need the info in the morning”. (it’s 4:15 pm)

Start important meetings 15 minutes before you have to leave the office. Then don’t return until 4:30 and act surprised that everyone is taking care of last minute things and two employees have already left for the day (at their regularly scheduled time).

Look at a paper and say “What’s this? This is important! I have been looking for this” – when it’s been in the drawer of papers the whole time.

Don't show up for other meetings, don’t answer your cell phone when you are called about the meeting (first to remind you and then later to let you know that the person is here) and fail to notify the other meeting participants that they need to be at this location until 1/2 an hour into the meeting (after you are already really late anyway and they have a good 45 minute drive).

Ask people to take care of certain things who have no way, shape or form the job skills required/certification/knowledge for what hasn’t been done – they just happen to cross your path and you need a scapegoat in front of the meeting person.

Argh……

Heh.....

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Brain Drain...

I'm running in so many directions at work today that my brain has just shut off - I got an email and read the subject line of "Holiday crop" as "Holiday crap".......my 5 minutes of down time was spent laughing at myself.

Martha Stewart & Cookie Monster...

I could not find Paula Dean & Kermie (I can't call him Kermit, it's Kermie!!) making a cake....

Does Barry Manilow know that you raid his wardrobe?

I found an older CD in my car this morning (too many nooks and crannies to store CD’s) it was a 2004 mix that I made. Of course I had to listen to it!

On comes Peter Murphy’s “Keep Me From Harm” – the mind instantly wanders to when I would go see Rhesin play in NYC – Milton’s voice was incredible and this was their signature cover song – it’s also where I got the not-so-often-used nickname of Vizgoth…..but I digress.

I started thinking about covers - bands take a bit of a risk. (Think Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal – I’m still on the fence) If you like the original, you may take offense at the cover or you may end up liking the cover better. Then you go see your friend’s band play and you realize halfway through the song that you are grooving along to “King of Wishful Thinking” – yup, I still know all the words!

So, if you had to make a CD of your favorite cover tunes, what would you put on there? (my list is of songs that I like just as much as the original)

Solitary Man – H.I.M. (it was a tough since I like their versions of “Don’t Fear the Reaper” and “Wicked Game” too)
Land of Confusion – Disturbed
Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe – Afghan Whigs
More Than This – 10,000 Maniacs
Ain’t Too Proud to Beg – Rolling Stones (this won out over their version of “Like a Rolling Stone”)
Tainted Love – Marilyn Manson
Mama Kin - Aerosmith
Always on My Mind - Pet Shop Boys
Heroes - Wallflowers
Oh Bla Di – No Doubt
In Your Eyes – Dartmouth Aires
You Belong to Me - Vonda Shepard
We Go Together – Less Than Jake
Under Pressure - Annie Lenox & David Bowie
Save the Last Dance For Me - Michael Buble
Purple Haze – The Cure

Of course there are covered Stones songs that I love….they did the songs justice and then some….
Bitch – Goo Goo Dolls
Wild Horses – The Sundays
Beast of Burden – Buckwheat Zydeco

PS. Totally Random - The CD also has a Soul For Real song snuck in – I forgot about them! In case you want to know, I prefer “Every Little Thing I Do” over “Candy Rain”……

Welcome....

I found a home for my handmade full of glittery goodness Twilight ornament (thanks Brenda!) - this will be it's place until it ends up on the tree. But it won't be packed away in January, it just belongs on display with the books.....

Good Times....

Got to see mom yesterday – it gave her a break from all the craziness that she has dealing with between work and grandma.

It was adorable to see the look of awe on her face - seeing the new stadium and the way that the UCMB has changed since I was a part of it. She cried during the introduction of all the band seniors. I cried as they introduced soldiers who were back from overseas and were now able to finish their degrees.

She needed a day to get away and have fun and I’m glad that I was able to provide it. Plus a bunch of hugs don’t hurt either!

Military Ties...

The company I work for has strong military ties – besides the projects that they do (let’s move 4 tons of buoys - yay!) – half the family is in the armed forces.

Given the big Army/Navy rivalry, family get togethers are amusing. Heck, even when a bunch of them stop by to visit, it ends up as a debate.

One of the younger ones – he’s 20 – is off to sea – in a submarine......that he is now trained to drive. I hear from his cousins how he’s toodling around in this big tin can. He’s a good kid, but wow – he has an incredible amount of firepower at his command.

Good Thing He's Legal....

Vampire-playing Robert Pattinson admits he sometimes slips into character when he's out with the ladies.

"I've been known for a little nibble," he told reporters at the London premiere of Twilight.

Obviously he is a fan of my blog - I *just* know that he read my "Here's My Neck" post on 11/25/08!! I'll just sit here and wait for him....*sigh* Back to reality.....

Savings......

CVS savings so far = $2,251.73.

It also means that I have a great supply of shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, body wash, deodorant, toothpaste, detergent, vitamins, pain reliever, cold and other assorted medicine, razors, air freshener and a free waffle maker. (after the stuff that I already donated and sold at the garage sale this summer)

I should have kept track of my savings at Rite Aid, Walgreens and what I got back in rebates. Maybe next year....

Take the compliment!!

I gassed up my car last night and took a moment to fill up my windshield wiper fluid. I was aware that the older gentleman at the pump in front of me was watching - I just went about my routine. When I was done, he pipes up and says "Wow, you are very self sufficient!". I must have looked confused because he then said "It's a good thing!"

I took the compliment, I know that he meant well, but I almost snipped back "Well, yeah - I don't have anyone else to do it for me!" Not that I would look for anyone else to do it, but this is the second person in a very short period of time to comment on my gas station skills. (the other time I was cleaning off the windshield with the squeegee thingie - I do miss NJ where they do it for you.)

Funny how hard it is to accept a compliment sometimes......

Odd point - the couple that was gassing up next to me felt compelled to not only lock their car but add The Club when they went inside to pay for their gas. It was a cheap little car. Maybe they were part of a car theft war?

“You are like my own personal brand of heroin….”

I have to confess – I saw Twilight again. As with anything that makes me happy/I find fun/gives me pleasure/makes me smile/ok, you get the point – I will do it.

Everyone in the theater did the following at the same time - snickered at Edward’s discomfort in Biology class, cheered for the silver Volvo maneuvers in Port Angeles, clapped when Stephanie Meyer made her appearance and laughed at “I leave you alone for two minutes and the wolves get you”.

I had the “she’s perfect” thought again when Alice came on the screen. I played “Spot the Cullen Crest” – never saw one on Jasper and Emmett but the other ones are quite visible. (Rosalie did remove hers to play baseball)

I got to cheer “Yay Cullen Cars!” – Carlisle’s Benz is just beautiful – but we already new that.

And I was able to focus on the music. I know that RPazz recorded two songs for the soundtrack – one is played during the dinner date and the second during the end of the fight scene when Edward makes “the big decision”. I love the music during the “Bella figures it out part” – it’s just haunting. Plus Bella’s lullaby is woven through most of the movie – I just didn’t recognize it the first time around.

Yup, it will be mine when released on DVD…….

Chondola!

I'm intrigued - I heard the radio ad and had to investigate....the Chondola....

Umm, it's weird - chairlifts and gondolas on the same lift.....ski patrol nightmare?

Lift evac would not be fun.....

One Seal to Rule Them All....

See this? It is the bane of my existence today.

This piece of metal and plastic was hunted down (it was not where it was supposed to be), recorded with the steamship line (5 minutes before the deadline) and I am now closely guarding it until it can be passed on to “the one who will seal the container”. Yup, it’s a container seal.

If it disappears, it sets of a chain reaction that may end the world as we know it. (or just delay the shipment of one machine that needs to be on another continent)

I will have to give it a name since it’s my new best friend. Perhaps Fred?

Evil School Bus...

The archnemesis of any commuter - the school bus....

It lurks around the corner until I get to my car - I see it out of the corner of my eye as it drives by. And I know that I will be stuck behind it as it stops at every other house…….ugh, what happened to all the kids waiting at the corner together?

And is it bad that I am chanting "get the f*#k on the bus" the whole time? (same rhythm as “get the f*#k off the bus” in college)

I do wave when the kids in the back of the bus wave to me.....but I still continue my chant...

Oh Santa....

I sure can’t wait until Santa brings me some more RAM for Christmas!! My very slow home computer is driving me nuts. And I have been good – I make my bed every day!!

We have a tree!

For the sake of being P.C. (politically correct, not Pampered Chef), this is being called a cuppola tree……

More Swedish Chef...

Because it's funny.....

Robot Chicken & the Swedish Chef