Holiday Meme

Here's an holiday meme I found @ Reading Without Restraint

1. When do you usually know and feel that it's finally the holidays?
I feel that it's the holidays as soon as the Christmas trees go up at Kmart and the Christmas music starts playing 24/7 on WSHH in Pittsburgh.
2. What do you want for Christmas this year?
Sarah Palin to be deported to Russian! She can see it from her house! No actually, I'd love one of the new iPod Nanos or a Nook Color. Neither of which I need, but are gadgets I covet.
3. Do you go all out with decorations?
Not at all, though we do have 2 trees. When you have many pets, you just can't decorate extensively, or you spend most of December pulling tinsel out of your pet's bum.
4. What are you doing Christmas Eve?
Watching Christmas movies and making and eating Christmas Eve dinner.
5. What are you doing Christmas Day?
Celebrating with family! I'll be helping prepare the meal too, so I'll be a bit cranky. Making two big dinners in a row, is not something I enjoy doing, but I love Christmas, so I'll deal with it.
6. It's Christmas time. What are you reading?
I'm reading as many holiday inspired books as I possibly can without going insane.
7. Favorite movie to watch during the holidays?
The Polar Express or Love Actually..and if Hallmark chooses to play it again, Mrs. Miracle
8. Favorite Christmas song?
O Holy Night
9. Favorite holiday drink?
Cherry Wine from the Arrowhead Wineries or their Dazzling Niagra
10. How is your Christmas shopping going?
Not too good. I need to buy several more presents and I have no idea when I'm going to be able to do it.
11. If you could spend Christmas Day anywhere else, where would you spend it?
I'd like to transplant my family to a wonderful lodge either Oglebay or one of the beautiful hotels in the Sugarcreek OH area...and if it were just me...somewhere near Longwood Gardens so I could see the flowers.
12. Any holiday traditions?
Christmas Eve dinner with Oplatki wafers is a big tradition in our house. Other than that...nothing really
13. Favorite thing about the holidays?
The holiday music and the cookies. Oh how I love carols and cookies!

Missing Mondays

Today I'm missing Isaac's in Lacaster, PA. Don't worry, it is still there, I'm just not and this is the time of year when they have their fabulous made with local corn, corn chowder. Best soup ever.

They make sandwiches that would make Primanti Bros look sad and pathetic, and as I'm a Burgh girl, that is almost a sacriligious statement.

I went there last year, and it was love at first bite.

No joke!

I love Amish cooking but these sandwiches and soups were to die for! There are a few of these restaurants in Central, PA, a few less than Primati's, so not quite as ambitious. I'm really hungry for that corn chowder right now, and maybe one of their really awesome sandwiches.

Camera Critters

Want to play along? Go here

This is my silly cat, Lady Sugarplum Von Buttonhead or Sugar, or Butthead.

She's cute as a button but when we adopted her, she was a psycho kitty for about 48 hours. I had to wear work gloves to handle her or she'd try to rip my hand off.

It's funny that now she's one of the laziest cats that I own, and I have 8. Most of the time you don't even know she's in the house. Which is really good considering the other cats are super active!

Missing Mondays

Today is April 26. It just hit me right now. Its pouring down rain and I think its supposed to do that all day, so I will no likely be able to go to the cemetery.

Today marks 2 years since Grandma has been gone. It doesn't feel like that long. Two years since I walked down to her house to check on her shortly after 1 p.m. on a Saturday.

I still can't go in the upstairs without crying. I still can't remember anything I said to her the night before, except that I was busy doing something not very important at all and I have never really felt like I said what needed to be said. Plus I will always feel like I should have been there, even though I know that there was likely nothing I could have done to help. I would have just panicked and screamed just as I did 4 hours later.

So yeah, today is April 26 and I miss my grandma.

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 music videos you can watch over and over.


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. The Moody Blues - Your Wildest Dreams: I have always loved this video. I could watch it over and over, and Justin really looks so lovely. Plus I love the song more than I should.



2. Elvis Costello - ...This Town: OK, how can you not love Devil Elvis!!



3. Erasure - Take A Chance On Me: Just watch it an you'll understand!!



4. George Harrison - Got My Mind Set On You: Only the chair video please. This video is beyond cute. God I miss George.




5. Roxette - Joyride. I just loved how cheap and cheesy this video was and the song was just damn fun. They don't make em like this anymore.

Missing Mondays

I miss weekends being relaxing. Somehow even when I have 2 days to do whatever I chose, I don't feel like I've de-stressed. Something always happens to work my nerves up so I just can't feel calm and ready to start another week.

Take this weekend for example: I had a great time on Saturday in Wheeling. I enjoyed all the book stores and all the food. Wheeling has some great restaurants, chain and locally owned.

Yesterday was another story.

I was on my way to La Fiesta for dinner, or rather, we were about to go there, when I noticed something hanging from my father's car. Oye! Not what I wanted to see, so we took my piece of tin, which suddenly felt a lot more reliable. I don't take it far because it likes to play games with my head.

The last time I took it further than say 15 miles it decided to show me the engine light. Nothing was wrong, the car just wanted to tell me, that it went further than its comfort zone and it wanted to make sure I was shaking the whole way home.

Yeah, that's the kind of car I drive. I'm taking donations for a Ford Focus...feel free to leave tips! Yeah right.

So besides the health issues both my parents have that keep me up at night with worry, I had the car to add to it. Glad that turned out to be nothing as well, but I'm sick of being scared about stuff.

I miss having peace of mind, or rather a piece of my mind left!

Missing Mondays

If I were brutally honest I'd have to say that today I miss having the day after Easter off. The only time that occurred was when I was in high school though, and I really don't miss high school at all.

Another thing I'm missing today is Chunky Bars. Anyone remember these strange square candy bars filled with peanuts and raisins?

We used to have them in the house all the time when I was a kid.

I think they still make them, they just don't sell them anywhere where I can buy them. That's probably a good thing too, because I'd be the size of a barn with Chunky bars around.

Yes, they were that good!

I want a Chunky NOW!

Missing Monday (on Tuesday)

In the last week I've really been missing "the people and things that went before." If I wasn't shedding tears for gram, I was crying over Mutchka or Purrbee or Itchy or Coco. I miss all of them dreadfully.

I know in the next 30 days I'll be missing grandma more as the anniversary of her death approaches.

For as long as I live I don't think I'll ever be able to forget coming into her dark house and calling out for her. Then rushing up to the top of the steps to find her lying on the floor, already gone.

The fear still shakes me. I can even hear my own screams echoing.

I was so afraid. I was scared to touch her and she was my grandma, but that knowledge of death kept me from doing it, as if death were contagious. I remember clinging to my mother, and crying..."she's gone."

I felt so powerless.

That was probably the most life changing event I ever experienced. I would give anything to change April 26, 2008. The worst day of my life.

Gram..I miss you.

Top 5 On Friday

I've moved my meme site to blogger. Music Memoirs can now be found here



Top 5 musical things that make you think of St. Patrick's Day

1. Danny Boy: One of the prettiest and saddest Irish tunes around.

2. The Irish Rogues - Beer Beer Beer: Ireland and Beer? Of course! Plus how can you not love a song that goes "beer beer beer, diddly beer beer beer?"

3. The Cranberries: When I think of Ireland and St. Patrick's Day, this is one of the bands that always comes to mind, the other,

4. The Pogues: If you click the link you will see them performing Irish Rover with another great Irish band, The Dubliners. But if you do...beware of some close ups of THE MOUTH! Its kinda creepy.

5. Clannad: The beautiful Celtic music of this band always gets me thinking of St Patrick's Day and Ireland.

Now pass me a plate of corned beef and cabbage and some beer!

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 songs that are mellow


You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.

1. Olivia Newton John - Have You Never Been Mellow: I don't think that there is any song more mellow then this one. I'm trying to figure out how they worked it into the Xanadu musical, but since I don't have any money and the weather's crap this week, I guess I'll never know.

2. Grey Eye Glances - Snow: I love this band and this is one of their prettiest songs the other is Angel, both would fit perfectly in this category. Sadly I can't find a You Tube link for either song, so you will have to take my word for it.

3. George Harrison - Blow Away: This is such a beautiful Harrison song and one I've loved since I was a little girl. I also love how all of George's videos are so darn quirky!

4. The Moody Blues - Words You Say: If this song got any more mellow the whole band with the exception of Lodgey would fall asleep while performing it. Justin usually does! Regardless of what other fans say, this odd song is really beautiful and soothing. Sometimes its hard to figure out John's songs and he's certainly not telling us what this one is about.

5.Erasure - Tenderest Moments: This was the b-side to Run To The Sun and one of Erasure's most beautiful songs EVER! I was really surprised the live version I linked to would be just as pretty as the electronic version, but then again, Andy Bell has a stunning voice, so why wouldn't it be.

Missing Monday

What do I miss today? Well besides the sun and warm temperatures, I miss The Tenth Doctor.

Its only been a month since David Tennant took his bows from Doctor Who and already I want him back. I don't even want to give Matt Smith a try. I want my Doctor back and I want him back NOW!

He's my Doctor. The one I want to have listed as my primary care and specialist, if only Highmark would allow it.

I'm fuming that his pilot won't see the light of day until fall, when other Who and Torchwood star, John Barrowman is going to be on Desperate Housewives.

Grrr to infinity and beyond.

David where are you! We miss you! How dare you leave us! 11 isn't even cute and he's not even old enough to be a Doctor, he's more like Intern who, or Medical Student Who!!!

Missing Mondays

I miss going out to eat somewhere other than the Mon Valley. This cold weather has really messed with my routine.

Thankfully last Saturday I got to go to The Improv to see Greg Proops, and I had a nice (overpriced) dinner there, but I'm used to Sunday dinners out with my dad. Between car problems in December and then this obnoxious cold weather and snow we've had since the first of the year, I haven't taken my dad anywhere to eat since December that wasn't in the Mon Valley.

Blech!

I do love La Fiesta and River House, but I wouldn't mind having a dinner at TGIFridays or IHop or Melonis or Texas Roadhouse...or just about anywhere else that wasn't in or close by our little hamlet of Charleroi On Mon.

I'm heartily sick of all these wonderful restaurants airing their commercials at 10 o'clock in the evening too, making me hungry when there's no hope of getting that kind of food too.

Grr!

Anyone want to go to Fridays? Or Chilis. Or better yet, Cheddar's in Wheeling, so I can go to Books-A-Million, cos I'm missing that store quite a bit too, right now. Oh and if you agree to come...can we take your car, cos mine's a piece of poo!

LOL!

Top 5 On Friday

Top 5 albums from the last decade that shaped your life

You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other weekly memes and play along.


1. Elvis Costello - When I Was Cruel

This was the first album of EC's that I bought since Spike in 1989. I really got into his music with this one. It's also one of his most solid recordings in the last 10 years.

Sure Costello puts out quality work with almost every album, but this particular record is close to perfect and so are some of the bonus tracks that come with the European and Japanese editions. I consider this album to be a must have for any music lover.

I also know that if I he had done North at the time I was starting to get back into his music, I never would have been quite the fan that I am now.

2. The Moody Blues - December: How can a Christmas album shape my life?

Well, it really wasn't until I owned this album that I gave Christmas music a chance again.

Several years of working retail spoiled holiday music for me. When this album came out, I found I still had love for it, and now I look forward to all the holiday releases each year.

3. Mika - The Boy Who Knew Too Much

Last year's sophomore offering by Mika really changed the way I felt about pop music. Finally after so many years of shite, there was a good album, by someone in this genre.

It's dance-y, it's fun, and it doesn't sound like everyone out there. Oh and its not overly obnoxious, a huge plus when it comes to pop music these days.

4. Tommy James - Hold The Fire: I discovered this album when I had a huge crush on that damn DJ from The Pickle. The love for this album is probably the only good thing that came out of those 6 months when I was making an ass out of myself. Its good music. If you like the stuff Tommy did in the 60s, you'll like this, plus he did a smashing re-recording of his hit, Sweet Cherry Wine.

5. Gordon Lightfoot - Harmony: Words cannot express the love I developed for Gordon after I heard the song Inspiration Lady from this album. That song along with all the others are fantastic.

I don't think I wouldn't have allowed myself to open up to country music if it wasn't for Gordon, who's folk borders on country more than a little bit.

Missing Mondays

Here's a little something different for Missing Mondays. As I've been scrambling for something new to listen to lately, I've come to the conclusion that I miss Duran Duran.

Yes, I am a child of the 80s. I love new wave and Duran Duran were one of my favorite bands from that decade.

They are still together, but in the last 20 years their music has been sorely lacking. The Wedding Album and Astronaut were the only two albums I have loved by the band since their hey day ended in 1987.

I miss good Duran Duran, not the shite they put out on Red Carpet Massacre and definitely not the shite of Pop Trash and Medazzaland....and I'm not even sure how to catagorize Thank You, because that is worse than shite.

Duran Duran are a band I love, but lately I've wanted to abandon them because their efforts have been so lousy that it pains me to listen sometimes and it really hurts to know that a band you love is becoming awful.

Oh and while I'm at it, I just miss the Moody Blues. C'mon guys, its been years since December, can't we have one more album before you ride off into the sunset? Justin? I'd take a solo album too.

Top 5 On Friday: Week 225

Top 5 musical things you are excited for in 2010

You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other memes and play along.

1. Lady Antebellum's new album Need You Now, that's due out this month.




2. I'm hoping to catch Peter Noone again in Akron this year if at all possible. I always get exciting about seeing Peter, he's such an awesome guy and his shows are so fun.

3. More Costello concert CDs. There's another one of the "live" collection discs coming out this month and I hope to be able to get it. Its Live At Hollywood Hight


4. Nunsense and Hairspray in Pittsburgh! I haven't seen a show since Avenue Q. Let's hope that I have money by then!

5. Possible new Erasure album this year!!! SQUEE

Missing Mondays On Tuesday

I'm so lame with doing my own meme. But oddly the thing I was missing today hit me when I saw a Schawn's freezer truck. No it wasn't anything from that to your door grocery store, it was Charlie Chips! OK, Charles Chips.

When I was little we always had a big tin of these chips in our house and oh were they so very good.

We used to get awesome marshmallow cookies from the Charlie Chip man too.

Oh how I miss those days.

We had a JT man too from JT's General Store. That's gone the way of all things too.

At least I can get a bag of Charles Chips if I get to Cracker Barrel.

Missing Mondays: Holiday Style

You know what I miss the most during the holidays? My metabolism! I miss being able to scarf down whatever I wanted to without a worry about that scale.

Of course this was back when I always had the day after Thanksgiving off too.

I'm not sure why I'm even excited about this day off. I'm just going to have to be awake early so I can help with dinner and there won't even be anything on TV except for stupid parades and football, none of which interest me.

In fact, the only thing that would really interest me is curling up somewhere and reading until I fall asleep.

Fat chance of anything like that happening.

In fact the only thing that is likely to happen on Thursday involves me likely getting fatter!

Grrr.

Which reminds me again how much I miss the metabolism I had in my teens and twenties. I think its horrible that metabolisms can't stay nicely fast at least through your 40s.

~sigh~

Ah well....I'm going to eat drink and be merry! Who gives a fig newton!

Top 5 On Friday: Week 248

You guys know the drill. Play along in the comments or in your journal. This meme is created for my site Music Memoirs. Feel free to go there and check out my other two weekly memes and play along.

This week's question ties in with last week's

Top 5 musical purchases you regret (or would like to cast aside to the nearest used CD store)

1. Duran Duran - Red Carpet Massacre: I wish I never had spent the money on this piece of crap CD. I also wish I didn't have the little bit of love that I do for the band, because that's what keeps me from swapping this CD out somewhere.

2. There have been a few concert trips this year that I have enjoyed but wish I hadn't made. Again not because I didn't love the concerts but because financially it was very irresponsible at a time when I really shouldn't be that way.

3. Buying all those vinyl albums when I only have one turntable and no means repairing it should anything happen to it. Some of the stuff I have is fairly rare too, but it was a waste of money and still is. I hardly ever use my turntable.

4. Mr. Bloo my first iPod shuffle. He wasn't needed. I have...erm...2 other mp3 players all are functioning. I bought him because he was cute! I'm amazed I've been able to hold back from buying the 16 GB Purple Nano!

5. Posters and pictures that I've bought. Yeah, I've got tons of posters etc and none of them are leftovers from high school. I have The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Oingo Boingo...do I wish I didn't have them? Well since I have no place to hang them, YES!

Missing Mondays

I was seriously missing my college days last night. Not that I particularly enjoyed them but because I always had my schedule so rearranged that I only went to school 3 days a week and I had two days off.

Oh how I long for those days off. It was so nice to only be scheduled to do things 3 days out of 7.

I was never exhausted.

Life was so much simpler then too.

I had a car I trusted. Mom and Dad were younger and were able to go out and about with me more. I know I've mentioned that I miss that too. I really missed that when we were at Triple B this weekend. Mom would have loved to have seen all the pretty things and the food at the farm market and the storybook pumpkin patch.

Getting old sucks.

It means more stuff to miss and less stuff that you can do.

Geeze and I'm only 35!

Still I wish I had my college schedule back. Maybe I could get a few things done then!

Missing Mondays

Its very hard after a loss like yesterdays to not miss the kitty that's passed on. He was a huge part of my life for the last 15 years. Its hard not to miss the other pets that have touched my life

Right now I just miss every last pet that's gone terribly. Allow me to share some pictures of my babies that are now playing with the angels.

Purrbee (The Nice Little Dog)



Hershey (My childhood doggie who was a serious toe biter)



Bitchy Itchy (Oh how we loved her)





Misty (The Misty-fa-ca-tor)




Buddha (Aka Little Shit)



Mutchka (The best cat ever)



In my life...I loved you .....