A Wonderful Resolution for the New Year!

Okay, I already said I don't make resolutions, but I received this in an e-card from one of my dearest friends ... Just had to close the old year with this message ...

A Wonderful Resolution for the New Year!

What amazing gifts the new year brings!

And entire year's worth of wonderful opportunities,

given to us one sunrise at a time.

Many of the moments ahead will be marvelously disguised as

ordinary days, but each one of us has the chance

to make something extraordinary out of them.

Each new day is a blank page in the diary of your life.

The secret of success is in turning that diary

into the best story you possibly can. Have pages on

understanding and tales of overcoming hardships.

Fill your story with enthusiasm, adventure, learning, and laughter.

And make each chapter reflect time doing these things:

Follow your dreams. Work hard. Be kind. Do what you can

to make the door open on a day that is filled with inspiration

in some special way. Remember: Goodness will be rewarded.

Smiles will pay you back. Have fun. Find strength. Be truthful. Have faith.

Don't focus on anything you lack. Realize that people

are the treasures in life, and happiness is the real wealth.

Have a diary that describes how you're doing your best, and ...

the rest will take care of itself.

-Douglas Pagels

Have a Wonderful Year!!

I stole this from Helen Jane ...

I stole this from Helen Jane who stole it from some of her friends ...

Where did you begin 2008?
Exactly where I plan on ending the year - alone and enjoying every second of QUIET!

What was your status by Valentines Day?
Single and loving it

Were you in school anytime this year?
Yuppers

Did you have to go to the hospital?
Yuppers, had two surgeries early in the year.

Did you have any encounters with the police?
Does Single Son (the cop) count? How about Fourth of July or the Christmas Parade? Yup, lots of encounters with the Cops ... all good.

Where did you go on vacation?
Chicago!!

What did you purchase that was over 100?
Just my new cell phone.

Do you know anybody who got married?
Nope.

Did you know anybody who passed away?
Sadly, yes.

Did you move anywhere?
No and the kids haven't either sigh (I'm keeping Helen's answer!)

What sporting events did you attend?
Not a one.

What concerts/shows did you go to?
Christmas Concert at the Village Christmas Parade.

Describe your birthday:
Sort of troll-like. Quiet and alone, just the way I like it!

What is the one thing you thought you would not do, but did, in 2008?
Travel by train, it was my first - but won't be my last!!

What has been your favorite moment/s?
Meeting Helen and Mike in Chicago, going to the park with Alien, Christmas Parade, Fourth of July fireworks at the park  ...

Any new additions to your family?
Not that I'm aware of ::wink::

What was your best month?
October

Who has been your best drinking buddy?
Don't have one. But then I don't drink. LOL.

Made new friends?
Yuppers

Other than home, where did you spend most of your time?
On campus, of course.

Have you lost any friends this year?
I try not to misplace my friends ... they're too precious to me. Oh ... *that* lost ... no ...

Change your hairstyle?
Yuppers, and contemplating another change, too.

How old did you turn this year?
49

Do you have a New Years Resolution?
I don't do resolutions...

Do anything embarrassing?
Me? Always ... falling up the stairs, tripping and falling off the sidewalk, the recent computer chair incident ...

Meet anyone who changed the way you see yourself?
Yeah, a professor who taught me a lot about myself (and not just about business). He made me see that my dreams can still come true. Thanks, Mr P ...

Fell in love?
Not this year, LOL.

Wanting to tell someone something but cant?
Uhmmm not really.

Are you happy to see 2008 go?
Oh hell ya! 

Ten Thoughts Tuesday ...

1) It's going to be difficult to adjust to life without Ringo. Silly little things, like not being assaulted when I am in the kitchen (he thought the sole reason I had for being in the kitchen was to feed him), going to the bathroom (his favorite perch was atop my shoulders or nestled in my drawers), walking down the hall at night (being a black cat he was hard to see in the dark, and he took advantage of that by weaving between my feet as I walked in the dark) and reading (he loved to pretend he was a bookmark and would flop on half of whatever I was reading). Even Shiloh (now the King of the Castle) misses him. He's still wandering around the house looking for his buddy, meowing loudly as he searches.

2) Ringo wasn't allowed to eat canned food. It did miserable things to his digestive system. So, yesterday when I went shopping I bought Shiloh a new water/food bowl and a dozen or so cans of canned cat food. I figured maybe the new bowl would not smell of Ringo ... and the food, well, to Shiloh it was a new experience, that's for sure. I seem to have created a monster now! He turns his nose up at his one-time favorite "Meow Mix". But I think it's going to work. He actually ate for the first time since Ringo's been gone. And then promptly proceeded to meow for a refill!

3) We're one step closer to Married Son moving in. One of the conditions of having a dog in the house is that he has a crate that he can be put in over night. Part of that was because of Ringo's stress levels, part because Hondo (the dog) is a chewer. I just can't leave him unsupervised at night. I may not have a sofa - or recliner - when we wake up in the morning. Well, yesterday Exie-pooh brought over a dog crate for Hondo. I still am not sure where it'll be set up.

4) Speaking of Married Son. I guess all is not quiet on the marital front. He was here yesterday telling me that he may be the only one moving in. He and DIL are at each others throats constantly. He's thinking that maybe a separation period is needed for them to both cool their heels. Her (and Grandson) at her folks, him here. Dog with her, cat with him.

5) Ya know, I love my kids dearly. But I'm really dreading the drama that comes with one (or all) moving back in. Not just the drama, but the noise, the chaos and the loss of privacy.

6) Geesh ... five thoughts and I'm so not coming up with more ...

7) Oh, yeah. LOL. I finally got to pick up my new eyeglasses today. Actually, they were ready to be picked up on December 22, only the eye doctor forgot to call me to say they were in. But I got 'em. My prescription changed a lot in the twelve months since I got my last pair. I didn't realize it until I put them on. Amazing to be able to see clearly again, I tell ya! I like these new frames. I'll have to see if I can get someone to snap a pic of me wearing them.

8) Good thing I don't have much of a social life right now, LOL! Single Son just asked me if he can borrow my car on New Year's Eve. He has to work at the police department, they're having their annual "Resolution Run". Sure ... take the car. I won't be needing it, LOL. And no, his van still isn't on the road. Hopefully soon.

9) Resolutions. Nope, I don't make them. Haven't since I was a kid. Promising one day a year to make those changes you want (need) to make in your life only sets you up for failure. Instead ... I *resolved* to make changes as I see the need for them - and not save them up for the end of the year.

10) 2008 is one year I doubt I'll miss. Been a rough one for most of us. May 2009 be a year of improvement for each and every one of us.

Ringo

It's with a heavy heart I write this ...

My beloved Ringo passed away a few hours ago. He had a bad seizure and never fully woke up from it. He passed away in Married Son's arms a short time later. He was seven years old.

I'm going to miss him dearly.

Saturday Six ...

Wow, haven't done a Saturday Six in a while.

1) I finally remembered to check the college website for my grades. All four of my classes I got a B in ... either a B- or a B+ ... two of each in fact. LOL. Imagine my relief to see that the jerky teacher gave me a B-. Geesh, imagine how good I'd have done if I had actually given a damn in his class.

2) I was telling my mom about the broken computer chair. She told me to take her charge card and go buy a replacement chair as part of my Christmas gift. I told her what Em had said about an Ikea chair and how she loves it. Neither of us have ever been to Ikea so I decided to invite Mom along when I go. Should be interesting. I love their catalog - heck, I've worn my copy of the catalog ragged. I just don't know if I can only buy ONE item. Should prove to be interesting. Ya, as much as I hate shopping I'm geeked about going. Not sure when we'll go. Mom's not been feeling real well lately. We'll have to wait until she's feeling up to it.

3) Ringo hasn't had a seizure in a week. He's still pulling at the hair on his hind legs and tail, though. I've noticed that while Grandson is here that Ringo actually seems to do okay. Then again, DIL explained to Grandson that Ringo is *sick* and needs extra gentle loving. Grandson will sit for the longest time with Ringo on his lap, just petting him and talking super soft to him. It's cute ... and actually seems to be helping the cat's stress levels considerably.

4) Speaking of stress levels (mine, LOL) ... Married Son and all still haven't moved in yet. They're working on it. LOL. DIL decided to take extra time to sort and properly organize their belongings as most of it will end up going into a storage unit anyway. It's been a slow (but steady) process. They'll still be moving in, we're just not sure when yet. LOL.

5) Ummmm ... This is interesting. I have the news on in the background and they're saying that Viagra is helping in the fight on terrorism? Read the ariticle HERE. Talk about "Make love not war" ...

6) I so can't come up with a sixth thought. Not after that last one. Little Blue Pill ... who'da thunk it?

Whew, I Survived Another Family Christmas!!

As much as I love Christmas, I'm glad to say it's OVER!! At least for another year. And it'll take me that long to mentally prepare myself for it again.

Our family holidays are crazy. Not just Mom, Dad, us kids and our kids (and grand kids), but aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids. It's a zoo! Nineteen adults and eight kids ... oy!! And two adults were ill and couldn't be there!! It was a houseful for sure.

Kids running all around the house, jumping on furniture, crawling under furniture, spilling their sippy cups, arguing over toys ... and on and on and on.

That's Alien in the pink polka-dots.

Add that Cuz's house has white carpeting throughout and a beautiful WHITE sofa in the Living Room ... well, it made for one hairy evening watching certain kiddies jumped with their sippy cups on said white sofa! And I must add here, Grandson was a perfect little gentleman!! He remembered his manners, and actually told a few of the older kiddies "don't run", "no drinks in that room", etc. I'm sooo proud of him!!

Okay, the griping out of the way ...

Cuz's Hubby cooked dinner this year. Yummy ... absolutely fabulous! Appetizers included shrimp, chips and dip, nuts, salami and cheese tray and more. Dinner was a huge spiral-cut ham, Italian sausage, spinach, sweet potato casserole, baked potato casserole, salad, and Waldorf salad. Dessert included two pumpkin pies and a dozen different holiday cookies. Enough that we all were full by the end of the evening.

Don't forget to KISS THE COOK!

Cuz's hubby made a punch that carried a heck of a punch. I had three or four glasses of it myself. Luckily I wasn't driving home last night! LOL! Dad talked me into getting him a glass of the high powered punch. Dad hasn't had a drink in years, this could get interesting! And of course I had to ask how we'd tell IF he got drunk? He slurs his speech and walks with a stagger because of his stroke. No telling if Daddy was drunk!

Cheers!

We got onto the subject of odd family pictures. Mom looked at me and tells the entire family that I have the biggest collection of photos of her flipping off the camera. It's true! I do! Seems every time I point the camera at Mom her middle finger (in her words) "goes into spasms and I can't help but to stretch it. It's not my fault I'm allergic to cameras". Well, not every time, just most! LOL! And wouldn't you know it? She was showing Aunt M how she flips the bird - and I grabbed the camera! Can't let a birdie pass me by! LOL!

After dessert we opened gifts. I got an indoor weather station with lighthouse design, two pairs of jeans, socks and two checks. Not sure what I'm gonna buy ... probably put it towards a new computer chair. I so forgot to have Alien take a picture of me in my *Winter Wonderland* penguin shirt! I'll have to see if Cuz has any pictures I can snag from her!

I pulled a little joke, a family tradition really, on Grandson. He loves cars. I bought him a bunch of cars for Christmas. They're in those blister packs so while I was wrapping them an idea hit me. I wrapped two of the packages, then put them together and wrapped those together. Then I took the other two sets of cars and did the same. THEN I wrapped those together to make one neat little package. Grandson is NOT a wrap-ripper, he painstakingly unwraps his gifts and throws the paper away before he goes on to the next gift. Poor kid, he spent a good ten minutes unwrapping my gifts! Too funny!

I know there's a gift in here somewhere!

Cuz and Princess O

Grandson and one of the cousin's kids

Traditional Picture of Taking Pictures Picture!


All in all, it was a great Christmas. I'm just glad it's over for another year!
Hoping ya'll survived Christmas!

Christmas 2008

Before the chaos and confusion of gift opening. How pretty!!

Christmas at my Cousin's house.

Merry Christmas

What a leisurely day this is turning out to be! No waking up at the crack of dawn by little ones excitedly screaming "Santa was here! Santa was here!" I kinda like it. But I admit, I do miss it, too. Christmas just isn't the same with the kiddies all grown up. Sure, there's Grandson but they're not here yet. They're having Christmas Breakfast with her folks. We'll open our gifts when they get here later this afternoon. Single Son is still sleeping. You don't know how bad I wanna bust into his room and yell "Santa was here! Santa was here!". Would make up for a lot of years of the kids doing it to me. Think if I jumped on his bed I'd be carrying it too far? LOL! But I won't ... the last thing I recommend to anyone is barging in on a sleeping COP and screaming anything. I'd like to be able to go to my cousin's house for dinner tonight and not be in the emergency room being patched up, ya know?

So, that's what we're doing. We're headed out to my Cuz's house for dinner and family gifts. We don't need to be there until 5 PM. I told the kids we had to leave here by 4 PM. It's only a twenty minute drive ... BUT they way they are all late for everything I learned a long time ago to lie about what time we need to be there. Now watch, this'll be the one day in their lives that they're all actually ready to leave when I say we have to leave.

I'm sorta excited this year. I get to meet Cuz's granddaughter. She's just celebrated her first birthday and I've never seen her!

Hoping ya'll have a very Merry Christmas! And that Santa brings you everything you want!

And it wouldn't be Christmas without ...

  Merry Christmas! 

Track Santa on Radar!!

Track Santa!! Start at NorthPole.com
Just follow the links on the left side of the page to the NORAD site.

Military center tracking Santa's sleigh ride
   
By IVAN MORENO, Associated Press Writer Ivan Moreno, Associated Press Writer – Wed Dec 24, 6:51 am ET

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Who says Santa Claus doesn't exist?

The military personnel charged with being the eyes in the sky are certainly acting like he does — and they've been joined on the Internet by millions of believers.

Even doubters have reason to pause when they hear the North American Aerospace Defense Command — or NORAD, which monitors air and space threats against the U.S. and Canada — is in charge of the annual Christmas mission to keep children informed of Santa's worldwide journey to their homes.

"They challenge it, but only to a point," said Senior Master Sgt. Sharon Ryder-Platts, 49, who for five years has been a Santa tracker, taking calls from those wanting to know the location of jolly old St. Nick.

According to NORAD, Santa began his latest flight early Wednesday at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. Historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. NORAD points out that only Santa knows his route.

Last year, NORAD's Santa tracking center answered 94,000 calls and responded to 10,000 e-mails. About 10.6 million visitors went to the Web site, which can be viewed in English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and Chinese.

NORAD's holiday tradition can by traced to 1955, when a Colorado Springs newspaper printed a Sears, Roebuck & Co. ad telling children of a phone number to talk to Santa. The number was one digit off, and the first child to get through reached the Continental Air Defense Command, NORAD's predecessor.

Col. Harry W. Shoup answered.

Shoup's daughter, Terri Van Keuren, said her dad, now 91, was surprised to hear that the little voice on the other end thought he was Santa.

"Dad thought, `What the heck? This must be some kind of code,'" said Van Keuren, 59.

Shoup, described by his daughter as "just a nut about Christmas," didn't want to break the boy's heart, so he sounded a booming "Ho, ho, ho!" and pretended to be Santa Claus.

Enough calls followed that Shoup assigned an officer to answer them while the problem was fixed. But Shoup and the staff he was directing to "locate" Santa on radar ended up embracing the idea. NORAD picked up the tradition when it was formed 50 years ago.

"If we didn't do it, truly I don't know who else would track Santa," Maj. Stacia Reddish said.

The task that began with no computers and only a 60-by-80-foot glass map of North America now includes two big screens on a wall showing the world and information on each country Santa Claus visits. It took off with the Web site's 1997 launch, Reddish said.

Now, curious youngsters can follow Santa's path online with a Google two-dimensional map or in 3D using Google Earth, where he can be seen flying through different landscapes in his sleigh.

NORAD officials are hesitant to list all the potential sites Santa will visit with certainty.

"Historically, Santa has loved the Great Wall of China. He loves the (Space) Needle in Seattle. He of course loves the Eiffel Tower," Reddish said. "But his path is completely unpredictable, so we won't know."

Ryder-Platts, 49, who has a 17-year-old son, said taking calls from children helps her keep her Christmas spirit.

"For someone like myself, my son is older, you know it just keeps you in touch with the spirit of Santa Claus," she said. "I miss out on that at home so this keeps me close to Santa. I believe! It keeps me in touch with other believers."

___

On the Net:

http://www.noradsanta.org

Merger of Christmas and Hanukkah

Continuing the current trend of large-scale mergers and acquisitions, it was announced today at a press conference that Christmas and Hanukkah will merge. An industry source said that the deal had been in the works for about 1300 years.

While details were not available at press time, it is believed that the overhead cost of having twelve days of Christmas and eight days of Hanukkah was becoming prohibitive for both sides. By combining forces, we''re told, the world will be able to enjoy consistently high-quality service during the Fifteen Days of Chrismukah, as the new holiday is being called.

Massive layoffs are expected, with lords a-leaping and maids a-milking being the hardest hit. As part of the conditions of the agreement, the letters on the dreydl, currently in Hebrew, will be replaced by Latin, thus becoming unintelligible to a wider audience.

Also, instead of translating to "A great miracle happened there," the message on the dreydl will be the more generic "Miraculous stuff happens." In exchange, it is believed that Jews will be allowed to use Santa Claus and his vast merchandising resources for buying and delivering their gifts.

One of the sticking points holding up the agreement for at least three hundred years was the question of whether Jewish children could leave milk and cookies for Santa even after having eaten meat for dinner. A breakthrough came last year, when Oreos were finally declared to be Kosher. All sides appeared happy about this.

A spokesman for Christmas, Inc., declined to say whether a takeover of Kwanzaa might not be in the works as well. He merely pointed out that, were it not for the independent existence of Kwanzaa, the merger between Christmas and Chanukah might indeed be seen as an unfair cornering of the holiday market. Fortunately for all concerned, he said, Kwanzaa will help to maintain the competitive balance. He then closed the press conference by leading all present in a rousing rendition of "Oy Vey, All Ye Faithful."

Tequila Christmas Cake

Ingredients:
1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs

Nuts

1 bottle tequila
2 cups of dried fruit

Sample the tequila to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the tequila again. To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the tequila is still OK. Try another cup... just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit up off floor. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the tequila to check for tonsisticity. Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Check the tequila. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find. Greash the oven. Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window. Finish the tequila and wipe counter with the cat.

CHERRY MISTMAS!    

Day After My Birthday ...

LOL. Didn't do anything for my birthday. We had a major snow storm pass by. Over 800 schools were closed locally. Roads were sloppy at best. You know it's bad when Married Son says the roads are awful!

So ... instead of going shopping like I planned, Married Son brought Alien over so we could just hang out for my birthday. Alien and I decided around 8 PM to go up to the grocery store before I had to get her back to Bubba's house. Only, my car decided it didn't want to leave the driveway. Yup, I got stuck! I can't believe it. I rarely get any car stuck in the snow, but the Grand Am wasn't going to cooperate with me in the least. Threatening it and telling it that the Olds would have gotten out of the driveway didn't help! That car wasn't gonna budge.

I called Married Son. Made him come back to the house to get me. Heck he's got four-wheel drive, he can get anywhere in that truck. He pulls up to the house and actually laughs at me. "Yup, you'll get out alright." The brat!!

This was my car just after the snow stopped.

Alien brushing off the snow. Thanks to blowing, there wasn't as much snow on my car as there was on the ground. Good thing for Alien - the official snow scrapper (when she's here at least).

We walked around Meijer's for about two hours. Got my Christmas outfit (jeans and a seasonal long sleeve t-shirt) and a few Christmas gifts ... as well as some groceries. Chased Grandson and Alien around ... they love to wander off and look in the toy aisles. Hunted down Married Son. Easy to find him since he's usually in the electronics department.

Now I remember why I wouldn't take the kids shopping with me when they were little. Just too much WORK involved! Find the item you want, look for a kid who wandered off ... find another item, look for that damned kid again ... and so on and so on and so on. Doesn't change when they're older. Except I don't stop shopping to go look for them! LOL!

Didn't do a whole lot today. DIL and Alien have been going through some of Aliens stuff, sorting it and packing up what she wants to take to Bubba's house. They're working on packing the truck now to take a load over. One more step closer to having the room for Married Son, DIL and Grandson, cat and dog move in.

Had a few funnies happen today. Grandson loves to lock doors! I've been locked in my bedroom a few times today. I get chewed out when I *escape*. "Gramma, I locked you up, you can't get out". Too funny. The one I don't think is too funny, though, is when he locks the bathroom door. Mind you it's the ONLY bathroom in the house. Nothing like doing the pee-pee dance while picking the lock!

So ... doors unlocked ... Gramma's happy. Until I go to sit back down at the computer. CRASH!! My el-cheapo computer chair broke! The cheap plastic star shaped base just snapped in half. I land on my arse with a THUD ... and start counting. Twenty seconds later DIL asks "Mom, are you okay" and comes into my room. She finds me on the floor, half under my computer desk. She's got this OMG look on her face. Alien sees her expression and comes rushing into the room. She sees me and ... busts out in hysterical laughter. She's laughing so hard she can't help me up. Finally I get her to move the freaking pieces of the computer chair so I can unwedge my arse and get up.

I'm now sitting on a really uncomfortable folding chair. When I go to buy a replacement I sure won't buy el-cheapo again. No sirree.

Luckily I didn't suffer any real injuries. Sure ... my pride. And a charlie horse in my arm where it hit the computer desk. Oh, and I'm finding my tailbone ain't too happy right now either.

And three kids who can't stop laughing ...

Maxine's Night Before Christmas

Tuesday Thoughts ...

Instead of Ten Thoughts I had planned on a blog entry about Single Son, and some of his activities with the Police Department and how proud I am of him for it. Then he goes and pulls something that takes sheer genius ... NOT ...

I smell something burning. Okay, I know he is in the kitchen. He tends to burn things as it is, so I'm not overly concerned. I lower the sound on my tv just in case he should scream out "Call 911 ... fire!". Instead he calmly comes into my room ... "Mom, how can popcorn sit in the microwave for one minute and forty-five seconds and possibly catch fire?" "Because, my dear, you're the one at the microwave." Yes, I really do call him "my dear". Especially when he's just pulled another blooper.

How does he manage to burn things all the time? We have no idea. But he does it. A lot.

I'm suspecting I'm going to have to replace that microwave soon. Anyone know where I can get a child proof microwave? Forget the fact the kid in question is 29 years old!

I wonder if the guys at the Station would like to hear about the private life of Sgt Son. No, I'm still NOT going to give his real name! LOL! At this point it's changing names to protect the guilty.

So ... the original blog was going to be about some of the things he's done in the past few months ... that's besides his normal responsibilities as a Cops & Kids officer, Youth Bureau Officer and his normal patrol duties.

The Department held their first annual "Shop with a Cop" event just a few days ago. This event helps underprivileged children shop for Christmas gifts for themselves and their family members. Through police department fund-raising, each child had $250 to spend with their Cop partner. Single Son's *child* was a very shy little girl that other cops couldn't so much get a name out of. Knowing the gentle way he has with kids, one of the Cops finally said "Sarge, we have the perfect child for you". Single Son not only got her to come out of her shell, but it turned out that once out of her shell she was a real talker. And it turns out the little girl is one hell of a comparative shopper. She would put things in the cart while she decided if it was worth the money or if she could find a better deal on a similar item further down the aisle. Normally Single Son has extraordinary math skills, but this little girl was to challenge them with her constant putting in and removing items from the cart. He was plum wore out by the end of their shopping adventure. Three Police Departments, one or two Fire Departments and an Ambulance Company took over the local department store for a few hours. They all left lights flashing on their patrol cars and emergency vehicles the entire time they were in the store. Funny side note here, my folks live right across the street from said store and had NO idea what was going on. Twenty emergency vehicles Mom claimed were there (Single Son didn't know how many participated). She was rather relieved to hear that it was Shop with a Cop.

The other event happened months ago. It was recorded by a local news station. I am still trying to find footage of it so I can post it. The male officers of the Police Department, as part of the local Leukemia Foundation fundraiser, had their heads shaved. Single Son was actually interviewed while he was in the barber's chair. The guys in the department did it as support to the Chief's son, who has leukemia. This young man is holding his own, but could use your prayers.

There's other events, but those are the two most recent. He's well known and much loved by the community he serves. He's a good *kid* ... even when he stinks the house up with his frequent burnt offerings to the Kitchen Gods.

Oh ... and did you know that left unattended Macaroni and Cheese will ignite? The flames had to have been about two feet high!! Really!

End of the Semester

Yay me!! I survived another semester. It's officially over now. My last final started at 9:45 this morning. I was out by 11 AM.

Had a neat experience ... last week we had to do presentations ... a pretend company, complete with detailed executive summary, business plan, marketing strategies, and opportunities and problems associated with our business. We chose to own a trendy teenaged clothing boutique. This is also the group where the other two members rarely showed up for class! But we pulled it off!! The presentation was to get up in front of the class and discuss the business plans for our fake business. Our overall grade was a B.

During presentations we had to write down NICE comments about each and every person in the class. We handed those papers in last week so Mr P could organize each of our comments and give them back to us this week. It was very hard to come up with positive comments for some of the students.

So this week we got the list back from the teacher.

The comments other students made about me were:

• Seemed comfortable speaking in front of the class
• Came up with good marketing strategies
• Covered a lot of material
• Very knowledgeable about the business
• Excellent expertise in retail
• A very down-to-earth lady that could make anyone feel right at home
• Seems to be a leader
• Was blunt and to the point - a good thing

There were the normal comments, like "good leader", "well done", "natural speaker".

The one I loved was the "down-to-earth lady" comment.

Comments like these will help me to be a better speaker in the future. And I'm sure that I'll have plenty of speaking and presentation opportunities in the upcoming semesters.

Right now, I'm just glad I get a break!! I NEED IT!

Off for a much deserved nap for me.

Cat Health Home Page

http://www.cathealth.com/index.htm
Cat health care topics

American Holidays - When-Is.com

http://www.when-is.com/american-holidays.asp
Find out the day that a holiday will fall on.

Random Stuff That's Bouncing Around My Brain

I'm really concerned about the health of my cat, Ringo. He's been very stressed lately and I'm not sure why. When he gets stressed he pulls the hair off his back legs and the base of his tail. He almost looks like he has mange (but only his backside)! Then he's been having seizures lately. Full Grand Mal type seizures at that. When I came in from class yesterday he came running to the door like he always does ... only ... when he got half way into the living room he seized. Got tangled up pretty bad in one of Grandson's toys (a shopping cart). Took me a few to actually untangle him afterwards. He never had a seizure until a few months ago, and they're happening with more and more frequency now - about four a week. Sad thing is I can't afford a vet to find out what's going on with Ringo.

On a brighter note ...  Yay ME!! I finally finished that blasted paper - the one the Bad Prof wants. Good thing, too. It's only due tonight!! Problem is, I use OpenOffice and when I save it as a .doc file it seems to reformat the entire freaking paper. I give up!! I'll go to school early tonight (class starts at 6 PM) and reformat the freaking paper. Then print it up and be done with it. YAY!!

Saturday is the last day I have classes. Another YAY!! I'll miss Mr. P's class ... but he's the teacher that I'll keep in contact with after the term. He's mentoring me in business. He's full of good ideas about *Elsie's Attic* and some of the things I can do as customer rewards. More on that later ... but I'll be blogging *Elsie's Attic* with special deals for my Multiply friends.

Oh ... here's a random thought ... when is your car not your car? When the kids need it, of course!! Single Son's van is down again, and he needs to borrow it to get back and forth to work at the Police Department. Normally I wouldn't care, but this week isn't a good week to borrow it!! Classes are dismissed as soon as finals are over - so that means no set time to get out of class. Meaning that good ol' Mom is gonna have to wait around for ever for *my ride* to get there.

Oh well ... Single Son just came into the room. "Mom you need to shower so we can get going." Yeah, I need to be told to get off the computer. Geesh! LOL!

Blogthings

I snagged this from Angie D ... thought it was right on ...

You Are Flannel Pajamas

You seek comfort above everything else. You rather feel good than look good. You are a very relaxed person, especially when you're surrounded by your favorite things and people. You are a homebody. Home is the place where you can truly be yourself. You are likely to wear pajamas a lot. In fact, you often change into your pj's the minute you get home!

What Kind of Pajamas Are You?

and yes, I sometimes do change into my pjs as soon as I get home (especially in the winter)!

I've been keeping up with ya'll, just not a whole lot of time to comment much. That should change at the end of this week when the last final exam is done. Yay!! I'm so ready for some time off.

Well, back to studying. In my flannel pjs, of course!!

Star Trek Museum Exhibit Coming To Town ...

Alrighty, ya'll know I'm a Trekkie ... a card carrying member of a Star Trek fan group at that ... you know I'll be there, as will most of my *Shipmates*!! Our local Starfleet Region has even been asked to help host the event - in uniform and prepared to answer any Start Trek question that may come our way. I won't be able to participate as a hostess (with the mostest), but you know I'll be there taking tons of pictures. After all, as the Ship's *Historian*, it's my job to document all *Away Missions*.

December 10, 2008

Buzz builds for 'Star Trek' museum exhibit

By ERIN CHAN DING
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Metro Detroit’s Trekkies don’t need Scotty as a motivation to beam themselves over to the Detroit Science Center for its impending “Star Trek: The Exhibition.”

As indicated by the response received by the Science Center since the Free Press broke the news today that the extensive exhibition is coming to Detroit, Southest Michigan’s Star Trek fans fully intend to transport themselves see the props, uniforms, starship models and set recreations that are part of the new traveling exhibit.

Museum spokeswoman Kelly Fulford says museum employees have been fielding calls from fans all day about the exhibit. One caller, she says, is a local artist who creates Star Trek posters and would like to show her work at the exhibit. Media outlets from Windsor and Toledo have also called inquiring about the exhibit.

She also notes the number of blogs and aggregators (like http://trekmovie.com/ and http://startrek.panpadia.com) that have picked up the Free Press report about the exhibit.

“Everyone is really excited that it’s coming to Detroit,” Fulford says.

Todd Slisher, vice president of science programs for the museum, says the institution is expecting more than 150,000 people for the exhibit, which runs from Feb. 14 through Sept. 7.

Tickets for the exhibit cost $18.95 for adults, $14.95 for kids younger than 12 and seniors 60 and older and $7.50 for Science Center Members. They go on sale Friday at www.detroitsciencecenter.org and at the Science Center box office. If you’re buying them as a gift and don’t know the exact date for which you want the tickets, Fulford suggests purchasing a Science Center gift card for the price of the tickets.

---

see original article at Detroit Free Press

Better than a Flu Shot!

Miss Beatrice, the church organist, was in her eighties and had never been married. She was admired for her sweetness and kindness to all.

One afternoon the pastor came to call on her and she showed him into her quaint sitting room.

She invited him to have a seat while she prepared tea.

As he sat facing her old Hammond organ, the young minister noticed a cute glass bowl sitting on top of it.

The bowl was filled with water, and in the water floated, of all things, a condom!

When she returned with tea and scones, they began to chat.

The pastor tried to stifle his curiosity about the bowl of water and its strange floater, but soon it got the better of him and he could no longer resist.

'Miss Beatrice', he said, 'I wonder if you would tell me about this?' pointing to the bowl.

'Oh, yes,' she replied, 'Isn't it wonderful? I was walking through the park a few months ago and I found this little package on the ground. The directions said to place it on the organ, keep it wet and that it would prevent the spread of disease. Do you know I haven't had the flu all winter.' 

 If you don't send this to five GOOD friends right away there will be five fewer people smiling in the world.

Jane and Arlene

Jane and Arlene are outside their nursing home, having a drink and a smoke, when it starts to rain. Jane pulls out a condom, cuts off the end, puts it over her cigarette, and continues smoking.
 
Arlene:  What in the hell is that?

 Jane:  A condom. This way my cigarette doesn't get wet.
 
Arlene:  Where did you get it?

Jane:  You can get them at any drugstore.

The next day, Arlene hobbles into the local drugstore and announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of condoms.

The pharmacist, obviously curious, looks at her kind of strangely (she is after all, over 80), but very delicately asks what brand of condom she prefers.

'Doesn't matter Sonny, as long as it fits on a Camel.'

The pharmacist fainted.

Christmas Cheer and Frosty Toes

Today was Lake Orion's 14th annual Christmas Parade. Well, yesterday really. I'm posting this in the middle of the night. LOL!

I went with Single Son. He had to work, he wanted me to take photos of the parade. Needless to say, he didn't have to twist my arm to get me there.

Lake Orion is a quaint little village located about 40 minutes north of Detroit. I *love* Lake Orion!! So homey ... where neighbor knows neighbor. And people actually stop to say hi to you when you pass them on the street. Oh, and stop by their website ... Single Son is the web host ... I know ... shameless plug. The site is still under construction, so not all pages work yet.

We had to arrive early, as Single Son was assigned to the parade staging area. Busy, busy!! With over 130 floats and organizations marching in today's Parade, it's the largest local parade outside of Detroit's Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade.

I wandered around the Village for a few hours. Talking to local business owners, residents and just about anyone who passed by. Like I said, friendly little place Lake Orion is.

Stopped to eat a late lunch at The Poppy Seed Deli and Coffee. Delish!! And of course, I lingered there to keep warm. If you're ever in the area and want some great flat bread sandwiches, delish soup and a cozy small town environment, head on over to Poppy Seed!

Man, it was cold!! Snowed the entire day, too. My toes were so cold that I stopped by one of the stores for an extra pair of socks. Extra thick and fuzzy ... ahhhhhhhh!!

At 5 PM I headed to the other side of town - a two minute walk, half of that spent waiting for the crosswalk sign to change - over to where they'd set up the stage for the Christmas Carolers. A group of talented gals ranging from early elementary to high school ... all from a local talent academy. And talented they were!! The youngsters sang my favorite Christmas song ... *I Want a Hippopotamus For Christmas* ... just too cute!

The parade started at just after 6 PM. My poor camera! It was a chilly 28 degrees, and like I said earlier, it snowed the entire time. My camera's computer kept thinking the batteries were low ... and would try to shut the camera off! So between floats or other participants I'd have to cuddle the camera to keep it warm! I managed to coax the camera to cooperate for over 120 photos. Although, I admit, next year I think I'll set up a tripod ... between the cold and the motion I had a higher than normal percentage of blurry photos. Grrrrrr. Just wish there was some way I could shelter the camera from the cold. I'm not the only one who had the problem, too ... more than a few people were in the same boat!! Who'da thunk we'd need a temperature rating on our digital cams? LOL!

So ... here's my faves from the ten or so dozen photos I took ... enjoy ...

Historic Village of Lake Orion Michigan



Chief of Police



Christmas Carolers



Santa Claws



The Man of the Hour ...

I have a few more photos in a photo album ...
ENJOY!!

And, if ya'll are in the area ... stop by ... especially if it's Parade Day ... or Fireworks Day ... or whenever ... Lake Orion really knows how to host an event!!

Parade

2008 Christmas Parade.

Ten Thoughts Tuesday ...

1) I keep telling myself to take a deep breath, classes will be over next week and all these group activities will be over. Then again, my luck, next semester will bring new opportunities to work in group projects in class. Have I mentioned how much I hate group projects?

2) Had to go to Downtown Detroit today. Took Mom with me. A year and a half in the works and now my bankruptcy is all but done. One final step and I'll be free of those medical bills and credit cards my ex dumped on me.

3) While we were driving through the downtown area, I had to be glad that Helen and I met in Chicago. The part of Detroit we were in I didn't feel comfortable in at all. There's no way I'd have felt comfortable walking around after dark like we did in Chi. Mom was pretty sad about the condition of the city. She grew up very close to Downtown and worked there for years ... it's sadly decayed from those days. Even with the current efforts to improve the city it's got a long way to go before I'd consider going back down there if I don't need to.

4) All's not quiet on the DIL front. Married Son and Grandson were over yesterday while DIL was at work. I got another ear-full from him. He's not happy in the marriage, and admits that the marriage may end if she doesn't stop thinking of only herself. How she thinks she's going to dictate the rules in my home. How she pisses away money on needless crap - all the while bitching about how he needs to work more hours so she can have spending money. I guess the fact Married Son works his ass off means nothing to her?

5) All the while Grandson was enjoying sliding down the stairs - something DIL forbids him from doing ... being a little boy and belly sliding down the stairs. Or getting dirty ... or running around chasing Ringo.

6) I've mentioned DIL hates my cat, Ringo. The feeling is mutual. He goes into hiding when she's over - but will come out of hiding when Grandson is around. He loves that kid with a passion and let's Grandson do anything and everything to him. So, why does she hate Ringo? Who knows?! He's got a problem with nibbling, as in if you stop petting him before he's had enough, he will nibble your hand until you start petting him again. I hear it's something that Maine Coon's are famous for. Anyway ... he doesn't bite hard, but by the way DIL reacts you'd think he's out for blood. To the point she swore to Married Son that the first thing that cat does wrong she'll drop him off at the shelter (the one that's known for distroying their *surplus* animals). Oh, and as far as she's concerned all Ringo needs to do wrong is walk into the room she's in. Of course, Married Son's reaction was "if that cat disappears, you will, too. Got that?"

7) WTF am I getting myself into? Besides a battle of wits for the next six months to year ... I'm not sure. In a sick way I think I'm going to enjoy this. Putting my foot down and showing her who is boss really is (and it ain't her) ... lol. And I'm sure Pengy will enjoy the blog value of this whole experience. LOL!

8) And just to top it off, it looks like the Gremlin is back!! Missing from my kitchen - two pounds of coffee, a container of creamer, a bottle of lemon juice ... and two boxes of trash bags. I found the coffee in Single Son's room right next to his two cup coffee maker. Hmmmm, but where is the creamer? I don't have a problem with sharing the groceries I buy with him ... but damn, leave it in the kitchen for all of us to use! He says he has no idea how it ended in his room. Could be, He does things half asleep that I've witnessed that he has no recollection of later. No biggie. At least, too, if the coffee disappears again I know where to look. LOL. Now to figure out where the rest of the stuff went.

9) OH!! Remember the call I blogged about? The one that said that "J" got some girl pregnant? Yup ... prank! And ... you're gonna LOVE this ... I found out who did it. ALIEN!! She and a friend of her's were bored. Knowing I don't have caller ID on the house phone she put him up to the call. BRAT!! Paybacks are a bitch!

10) Well, damn. I had a tenth thought. It seems to have vanished.