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.