I wasn't going to do a New Years Post

Nope, I wasn't. I didn't want to take away from my 7 meme. I worked so hard on that.

But, I visited Bookseller Chick and I had the best results from this program that helps you pick the best New Years Resolution for you in 2006. I'm NOT posting it here. You have to go there.

Then, you can come back and tell me if you think I have a chance in hell in making it stick.
See my Resolution.

Anyway, Have a Happy New Year's celebration all you who stop by today!!!!
What ever dreams or plans you stir and mix, may they all work out in 2006!

Can you believe I've been Tagged!?!

I've been Tagged by A !


Actually, she did it awhile ago, but it took me a bit to get my thoughts together....



Seven Things to Do Before I Die:
#1 Bungee Jump!!
#2 Ride in a hot air balloon
#3 Publish a short story (I'll start off small)
#4 Visit another country
#5 Visit one of our great national parks
#6 See my kids marry (a mother can always hope)
#7 Find out for myself if there really is such a thing as a Viking S-spot

Seven Things I Cannot Do:
#1 Wait patiently, for Anything!
#2 Fix a car
#3 Rollerblade or skate -anything that involves ankle strength
#4 Walk by a cookie and not eat it
#5 Stop being self-critical
#6 Stop being Queen Procrastinator
#7 Walk in the shallows on a beach and not get my toes jabbed or pinched by Crabs!! They wait for me, honest!!

Seven Things that Attract Me to My Spouse (or significant other, best friend, etc.)
#1 His smell
#2 His creamy chocolate brown eyes
#3 His willingness to please me
#4 His support in whatever I try to do..you know the song, "Wind Beneath My Wings" ? He's mine. Except sometimes he's like a macro-burst- energy, strength and forcefullness *sigh*
#5 He's a great father - he's able to connect with his "inner kid" and I love watching that
#6 His height. I love feeling "small" next to him when he holds me
#7 His postive and optimistic outlook on life and its challenges( which includes me)

Seven Things I Say (or write!) Most Often
#1 WooHoo!!!
#2 Suddenly
#3 My kids names
#4 I need some "alone" time
#5 I love you
#6 Hey, Be Nice!!
#7 Pick up these LEGOS!!!

Seven Books (or series) I Love
#1 The Carpathian hunks from Christine Feehan
#2 The Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.. like that's a surprise?
#3 Dune series by Frank Herbert
#4 Anything by Clifford D. Simak
#5 Aisling Grey Series by Katie MacAllister
#6 Laurell K. Hamilton's series (written this way, I get 2 in, Ha!)
#7 Click , Clack,... Moo!, Quack! ... all those books. They're FUN!

Seven Movies I Would Watch Over and Over Again
#1 Hot Shots Part Deux
#2 All Star Wars
#3 LOTR - all
#4 The Hunt For Red October
#5 Naked Gun
#6 Blazing Saddles
#7 My Neighbor Totoro

Seven People I Want to Join In (Be Tagged)
#1 Avindair
#2 Brandy
#3 Annalee
#4 Robin
#5 Judson
#6 Jason
#7 Anyone who visits my blog who hasn't said HI yet!!!

So there you have it! My long , exhaustive answer to the 7 Meme. Thanks for the Tag, A !, I think...*grin.

And to finalize this long post, I will share another kind of tag:

You know me and my books

Oh YES! It just came out this week. Think I found time to buy it? Of course! The kids shopped for their new toys soooo, I dragged them to the book aisle at Target and there it was...my newest acquisition,
my latest thrill,
my waiting was over-moment. I bought
Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon.


Don't know anything about the Dark Hunters?
Oh, you are in for a treat. But, this may not make much sense if you've not read the previous books. Some of this takes place with characters that you now know and have fallen in love with prior to this book. For those of you in the know... this is another wonderful read and a romance that's the best yet. (Well, I still have a sentimental attachment to Vane and Bride) Great tie-ins with characters, a few surprise twists that I never caught on about...and I should have if I was paying attention. Sherrilyn laid it out, the clues were there and I MISSED them!! I was so mad at myself when all was revealed. But I'm not gonna tell you nothing...nanernanernaner....*grin*

Anyway, FYI, I copied the blurb from Amazon for your teasing pleasure....*wink*

Book Description from Amazon.com

"It's a predator eat predator world for the Were-Hunters. Danger haunts any given day. There is no one to trust. No one to love. Not if they want to live…An orphan with no clan that will claim him, Wren Tigarian grew to adulthood under the close scrutiny and mistrust of those around him. A forbidden blend of two animals—snow leopard and white tiger—Wren has never listened to anyone when there was something he wanted. Now he wants Marguerite.Marguerite D'Aubert Goudeau is the daughter of a prominent U.S. Senator who hates the socialite life she's forced to live. Like her mother before her, she has strong Cajun roots that her father doesn't understand. Still, she has no choice but to try and conform to a world where she feels like an outsider. But the world of rich and powerful humans is never to meet the world of the Were-Hunters who exist side by side with them, unseen, unknown, undetected. To break this law is to call down a wrath of the highest order.In order to have Marguerite, Wren must fight not just the humans who will never accept his animal nature, but the Were-Hunters who want him dead for endangering their world. It's a race against time and magic without boundary that could cost Marguerite and Wren not just their lives, but their very souls…"

*sigh*, It almost makes me want to go back and read it again! And the Glossary at the end was a great addition!! Way to go Sherrilyn!!!!!

Now, I have to wait until JUNE 2006 for the Next Dark Hunter Book..Darn!

Do you wonder where I've been?

Me Too.

It's Tuesday night already? Christmas is 2 days past?

It's the first winter recess for schools. So, I'm running around letting the young'ns spend their Christmas Dough on frivolous things.... like Santa hadn't already gifted them with numerous items for us parents to trip over? Nope, obviously not. More! More! Let's Go Shopping! Eating 3 candy canes a piece is not enough...never enough. Open Everything! Don't necessarily play with it..... but it's open ....*grin*

Have you ever stepped on a lego? It hurts!
Have you ever stepped on with your bare piggies, a left over candy cane that was conveniently left in a shadowed parental path? It's Sticky!
Have you ever stepped on those lovely bubble wrap pages in the night? They're LOUD!
Have you ever had to dodge and weave around the creative (Lego) masterpieces your kids have built that they refuse to dismantle because they are MASTERPIECES and you still end up stepping on them? Makes you feel like Godzilla on a rampage!! (and it HURTS)

Have you ever had them come at you, bouncing on the bed, throwing themselves toward you in gleeful abandon with the sure purpose of giving you hugs and kisses because you fixed something they thought was broken forever? I have. That's happened tonight. So, yeah. I've been busy. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Would you?

Another fine recipe to tempt you with

I baked today. I had hopes that some could have been left over for gifts.
NOT.
Ever hear of Lemon Chip Cookies?
I didn't until I got this great cookbook as a gift. Everything in it comes out fastasmagorically wonderful!!

2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 & 1/2 sticks salted butter (3/4 cup), softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 Large eggs
1 & 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
9 ounces mini chocolate chips (about 1 1/2 cups)

Just an aside..I only used 1 cup of chips. and I didn't have ground coriander, I had whole seeds, so I just pounded the seeds with my mortar and pestle and it worked fine.

Preheat over to 300 degrees F.

In a medium bowl combine flour, baking soda and coriander with a wire whisk. Set aside.

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer at medium speed to form a grainy paste.

Add eggs and lemon extract and beat well.Scrape down sides of bowl.

Add the flour mixture and the chocolate chips and blend at low speed just until combined. Do not overmix.

Drop dough by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets, 1 1/2 inches apart.
Bake for 14-15 minutes. Do Not Brown.
Immediately transfer cookies with a spatula to a cool flat surface.

Yield: about 4 dozen.

And wouldn't you know. All the cookies are GONE! EATEN in one day!!! Between my little ones' K class party and afterschool and after supper snacks. There's none left. I guess that means they're good. :-)

I love sharing recipes that work.
Don't you?

OMGosh! Did you see this link???

This has got to be one of THE most funniest things I've seen in quite some time over the internet.

I have Annalee to thank for this priceless laugh fest.
If you are a little stressed right at this point, gearing up for the final countdown towards Christmas, then check this out.

Thanks Annalee!!!!

P.S. it takes a little bit to load if you have a dial-up connection like I do. But it's worth it. Really!

Click here for a little holiday fun!

I'm a New Englander and PROUD of it!!!!

Subject: New England

Forget Rednecks ...here is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about New Englanders...

If you consider it a sport to gather your food by drilling through 36
inches of ice and sitting there all day hoping it will swim by,
you might live in New England.

If you're proud that your region makes the national news 96 nights each year because Mt. Washington is the coldest spot in the nation, and Boston gets more snow than any other major city in the US,
you live in New England.

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through May,
you live in New England.

If you instinctively walk like a penguin for six months out of the year,
you live in New England.

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance, and they don't work there,
you live in New England.

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time,
you live in New England.

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number,
you live in New England.

And, you know you are a New Englander when: "Vacation" means going anywhere south of New York City for the weekend.

You measure distance in hours.

You know several people who have hit a deer more than once.

You have switched from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day and back again.

You can drive 65 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching.

You install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked.

You carry jumpers in your car and your girlfriend/wife knows how to use them.

You design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit.

The speed limit on the highway is 55mph -- you're going 80 and everybody is passing you!

Driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow.

You know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction.

Your 4th of July picnic was moved indoors due to frost.

You have more miles on your snow blower than your car.

You find 10 degrees "a little chilly."

You actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your New England friends!

And did you know that winter can not stop dedicated New England poker players - no matter what??? I found proof!!






Have
a
great
day ,
Everyone!

Ad for Animal Lovers

My SIL sent this. I had no idea what it meant.

I was told it would clean my computer screen. I found the item does just what it claims.

Click to : Have YOUR computer screen cleaned.

I don't usually plug any ad's on my site,
I leave that expertise to my favorite Ad Man, MARKOOS .

Don't forget to check out my quizzes at my previous post!
(how's that for an ad? )

I Knew I was nuts, but a Fruit Cake ??!

I don't wish to take away from my previous post ... but I couldn't resist posting my results from these quizzes. You don't have to take them yourself...but you CAN laugh at me.

I chose "Naughty" and for a result, I get THIS???? **shakes head**

Your Christmas Song Is

Joy to the World Joy to the world, the Lord is come!Let earth receive her King;Let every heart prepare Him room,And heaven and nature sing, It's not about what you get under the treeBut sharing love with family, friends, and strangers

What Christmas Carol Are You?

I'm not sure if I should be insulted or not for the next one.....

You Are a Fruitcake!

You taste like nothing else in this world.And get ready, you're about to get tossed!

What Crappy Christmas Gift Are You?

Like the title says, I know I'm full o' nuts, but fruity too?

Geesh!

Addendum: Thanks to Brandy for pointing out the links didn't work. Have remedied the situation. Hopefully you now can take the quizzes to your hearts content. Have fun!

Nothing deep in the Joke Dept. Today

Nothing too involved to get into today...just a quick update before the joke.
As mentioned in the last post, today was the pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Except for Thursday, I was worried about the little details, big details and attendence numbers (it was our first time doing this type of thing) . Then came the big day.....

It was GREAT!

Over 30 kids had their pictures taken with the Claus(es?) and everyone had as many pancakes and sausages they wanted. We collected a wonderful amount of toys for disadvantaged children. What a heartwarming feeling.
And no, I did not sit on Santa's lap.

And double NO, we didn't get any citations from the local breakfast authorities..... LOL .





My friend emailed me this story....I enjoyed most of it...but the ending caught me by surprise.
What do YOU think about the ending???

A Good Investment

>>On their wedding night, the young bride approached her new husband and
>>asked for $20.00 for their first lovemaking encounter.
>> In his highly aroused state, her husband readily agreed.
>> This scenario was repeated each time they made love, for more than 30
>>years, with him thinking
>> that it was a cute way for her to afford new clothes and other
>>incidentals that she needed
>>>>Arriving home around noon one day, she was surprised to find her husband
>>in a very drunken state.
>> During the next few minutes, he explained that his employer was going
>>through a process of corporate downsizing, and he had been let go.
>> It was unlikely that, at the age of 59, he'd be able to find another
>>position that paid anywhere near
>> what he'd been earning, and therefore, they were financially ruined
.>>>> Calmly, his wife handed him a bank book which showed more than thirty
>>years of steady deposits
>> and interest totaling nearly $1 million.
>> Then she showed him certificates of deposits issued by the bank which
>>were worth over $2 million,
>> and informed him that they were one of the largest depositors in the
>>bank. She explained that for the more than three decades she had "charged"
>>for sex, these holdings
>> had multiplied and these were the results of her savings and
>>investments.
>>>> Faced with evidence of cash and investments worth over $3 million, her
>>husband was so a
>> stounded he could barely speak, but finally he found his voice and
>>blurted out,
>> "If I'd had any idea what you were doing, I would have given you all my business!"


With cartoons like this, it's not a wonder that I don't like dentists!!!


Gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Thursday calm

What do I mean "Thursday calm"? Just that, it is. Yesterday for me,
was crazy busy. Today is calm. Tomorrow will again be crazy busy and will be exacerbated by the freezing rain they are predicting and Saturday is going to be nuts. In a good way. I'm the president of my church's Women's Club and together, mine and the Men's Club are sponsoring a pancake breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus for all the families of my parish. The cost will be an unwrapped new toy for the Toys for Tots campaign. We'll be having family photos with the Clauses. Should be a lot of fun and a great time. It's the planning and hoping all goes well that weighs on the mind. Today, I'm not thinking about any of that. So...I'm calm.

By the way, have you never wondered why Guys Shouldn't Baby-sit Kids?????
I can't tell you, I guess I'm gonna have to show you....here's why......

Give me a sense of humor,

and

Give me the grace to see a joke,

To get some humor out of life,

and pass it on to other folks!

Those were my instructions.

I'd like to think, through my humble blog, that I have done just that.

Happy CALM THURSDAY!!!!!

Warm and Fuzzy Feelings

I have to say "Thank you" to all my visiters that visited C. J.'s site and left such wonderful comments!!!

I feel honored and pleased that, not only do you visit me, but when I've asked for your help for either myself or someone I've come to care about, you have never let me down. I experience a wonderous feeling when I think that the "power of blogging" can literally touch another person, many miles away, to lift a burden, bring a smile and laughter, or give support and comfort to someone when they need it.
Gives me that Warm and Fuzzy feeling.
It is So COOL!!
And it couldn't happen without YOU.
Thank you!!

Okey , Dokey. Time for some of those smiles I was talking about.



















Have a wonderful day and may you smile more than you frown.

And if you have to frown, hopefully reading one of these will turn your frown right side round..

TTFN!!!!

Someone needs a smile

S.O.S.
I was visiting one of my favorite authors' blog and her story just broke my heart. Her heart is still smarting from Nature's Way, you know, " the circle of life"? She did a good thing and something sad happened. Do you think you could visit and give C. J. some support? It may seem trivial to some people, but if it should happen to you, what would YOU do????
If you have a moment, Say Hi to CJ!

Thanks!!!!

Ho Ho Ho Eggnog Cookies!!

I am pleasantly surprised by so many requests for my Eggnog cookies! Thanks everyone!!!


FYI -they are not overly sweet and I find them perfect with tea or coffee. **sheepish grin**
Yup, I snuck some for breakfast..I'm such a nut.

I decided to picture them for you with a little holiday touch .....



EGGNOG COOKIES

2 & 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 & 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, softened
1/2 cup Eggnog (I used Hood's brand, but you may have your own favorite)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon ground nutmeg
(If nutmeg flavor too strong,((the fresher the nutmeg, the stronger it is..did you know that?)) you can always substitute with cinnamon/sugar mix like I do)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees

In a medium sized bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg.
Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.
In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter with an electric mixer to form a grainy paste.
Add eggnog, vanilla, and egg yolks and beat at medium speed until smooth.
Add the flour mixture and beat at low speed just until combined.
Don't overmix.
Drop by rounded teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheets, 1 inch apart.
Sprinkle lightly with nutmeg (or cinnamon mix) .
Bake for 23- 25 minutes or until bottoms turn light brown.
Transfer to a cool, flat surface immediately with a spatula.

Makes 3 dozen.

I doubled the recipe so I got a little over 6 dozen.
Be careful when you double though, if you do.
I found some clumps of unmixed baking powder the mixer missed at the very bottom.
I'll tell ya...you really have a sourfaced pucker when that hits the sour sensors of the tongue..Yikes!!
Other than that...1/2 of what I baked is already eaten. That's why I have to double all my baked goods...I live with cookie monsters..LOL !!

I hope you try it out for the holidays!!!Enjoy.

P.S. I had to edit and add the "" & "" symbol because blogger wouldn't put in enough space in the 1 + directions. Looked confusing and jumbled to me. I wonder why it wouldn't keep the space???... No matter, as long as it makes sense in the end.
And I apologize to the people who use the Metric measurement system. I don't know the conversions, otherwise, I would have added them too for your baking convenience.
Hope you can still make them!

Snow comes and goes

Wow, weather sure changes FAST on the East Coast. It was snowing quite heavy from early morning until 1:30-ish PM. Then......





















The sky lightened up, the snow gradually stopped and Mr. Sun peeked out from behind a cloud to say HI !!! The snow warning was until 4PM, but , lucky us, it decided to end early.




Now, we get the fun job of digging out.
Isn't winter grand?
Heh! It isn't officially winter yet. Could have fooled me.




















With all this snow, doesn't it bring out the kid in you?

Yes?

It's even easier when you ARE a kid, LOL!

Happy Friday!!!

Books read update

Yes, yes, I realize it has been awhile since I've listed the books I've read and what I thought of them. Have been a little preoccupied with other things..as I'm sure we all are this half of the year.

Tons of people have heard about Betsy the Vamp Queen. This book is MUCH better than the previous story. This had more plot, fun, twists and was a breeze to read. Just in time for the holidays too!!! Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davidson..truly, another fun read!!




The buzz that you've been hearing about, this book called Dark Lover by
J.R Ward is accurate. Provided that you've been hearing good things about it.
It is one that will quickly become a favorite...depending on your "taste" for paranormal romance. It delivers!!




Be Mine Forever was a fine paranormal read as well. Not the same caliber as Dark Lover, but close. Close enough to recommend.







This was the first book I've ever read that was written by a .....oh geez, I don't know the PC term...a truly talented sista, a black woman who knows how to write great action, romance and balances her culture with style. I say "her culture" because there is a STRONG element of inner city speak. Her use gives us readers a healthy dose of flavor without turning us off by confusing us with a dialect that is unknown and unheard in many parts of our great country. Never-the-less, it enhances the story. It made me feel as though I was reading about another world and it is really, to a white girl like me...or whatever the PC word is for me....geesh....its like walking on eggs here.
I mean I really, REALLY loved this story, but I have to make you understand that this style of writing in new, fresh and exciting for me. For others, its no big deal, its how they really talk, relate and are. Cool. The first book, Minion, by L.A. Banks is awesome. You don't get everything you think you aught. And you know what? That's OK. because the author comes through with gusto in the following books. Unfortunately for me...my entire library system only has a few of Ms. Banks books...the one after this would be The Awakening..and both libraries that have it on file.....it's overdue...one is by at least 3 weeks. Something tells me the books are so good, someone wants to keep them!!!


So , I had to jump to the next book in the series. I was worried that I would be kind of lost, you know, by not reading in order? My fears were unfounded,
Mz. Banks knew how to weave the past into the present books so I was up to speed. The Hunted. The story goes like this.::::"Having successfully averted a vampire civil war, vampire huntress Damali Richards heads for Brazil to investigate a series of horrific killings perpetrated by a vicious female were-demon and her crew in retaliation for the deaths of her people." I would recommend this book..oh YES!!!


The next book in line that I would have read is BITTEN, but once again, the library system fails me. Sooooo I'm going to read the one AFTER that..this one is called The Forbidden and it is next on my TBR pile. This one is ::"Damali and her fellow members of the Guardian squad confront their ultimate nemesis in the evil persona of Lilith, the consort of the Un-Named One, who has been summoned from the seventh level to open the portals of Hell and destroy Damali and her associates."::
Don't they sound exciting????!!!!!!

Really, give L. A. Banks a try. She's worth every minute.

A taste of Crimson is another great entry into the Crimson City chronicles started by Liz Maverick. This one was fresh in ideas and action. Loved it!



This was adorable... Charmed and Dangerous by Lori Wilde
:: "When her thrill-seeking twin, Cassie, gets in over her head, former Olympian Maddie Cooper rushes to the rescue and joins FBI agent David Marshall to find her missing sister, reclaim some stolen art masterpieces, and fall in love." ::


I've read many people liking this author..Mary Balogh and the book is
The Famous Heroine... it goes like this :: "
Entering high society after rescuing a duke's son, merchant's daughter Cora Downes feels like a fish out of water, which is complicated by a misunderstanding that results in her engagement to blueblood Francis Kneller. "::
Sorry to say...although it was cute...and it had it's moments...if I were going to consider it as a "keeper", I wouldn't. But then, that is me. And as you've read in the past, historicals and regencies are NOT my thing...but I do try to give them a chance every now and again...seems only fair. Right?

Next is a good one.....




""When her identity as a vampire is discovered, Daphne Urban is forced to take on the role of spy for the U.S. government in exchange for her life, but her mission for Team Darkwing, to use her seductive wiles to get close to a shady arms dealer with ties to terrorists, is undermined by the interference of sexy vampire slayer Darius della Chiesa.""

I liked this story. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. I really thrilled to the idea of a Vampire Spy....it is such a cool idea!

Well, I guess you are up to date on my favorite thing to do....share what I've recently read. Or in one, case, what I'm about to read.

So, What good stories have YOU read lately??? Hmmmm?

LOL, like we have time this time of year, right? **grin**

A story unlike any other

I don't have much to say today...but it has been a bit since my last post. So, since a relative of mine, in her wisdom, sent me this little jewel...I'll pass it on to you for your enjoyment. Hope you get a snicker or two like I did.


A Christmas Story



'Twas the night before Christmas--Old Santa was pissed.
He cussed out the elves and threw down his list.
Miserable little brats, ungrateful little jerks.
I have a good mind to scrap the whole works!

I've busted my ass for damn near a year,
Instead of "Thanks Santa"--what do I hear?
The old lady bitches cause I work late at night.
The elves want more money--The reindeer all fight.
Rudolph got drunk and goosed all the maids.
Donner is pregnant and Vixen has AIDS.
And just when I thought that things would get better
Those assholes from the IRS sent me a letter,
They say I owe taxes--if that ain't damn funny
Who the hell ever sent Santa Claus any money?

And the kids these days--they all are the pits
They want the impossible--Those mean little shits
I spent a whole year making wagons and sleds
Assembling dolls...Their arms, legs and heads
I made a ton of yo yo's--No request for them,
They want computers and robots...
they think - I'm IBM!
Flying through the air...dodging the trees
Falling down chimneys and skinning my knees
I'm quitting this job
there's just no enjoyment
I'll sit on my fat ass and draw unemployment.
There's no Christmas this year now you know the reason,
I found me a blonde.
I'm going SOUTH for the season

Powdered Toast Man

You know what? It really saddened me that I couldn't load my Powdered Toast Man pictures to the post of Ren and Stimpy last week. So, bound and determined fan that I am, I perservered.



Calling Powdered Toastman, Over.







Powdered Toastman to rescue Breakfast and our sense of humor too. Yeah!





Whoa! Looks like too much vitamin F.










In the process of celebrating all things Powdered Toast, I discovered something.
There were Powdered Toastman Comic Books and I NEVER KNEW!!! Did you?



















I hope you have a wild and crazy (but safe)
weekend.

And may your visit here today, bring you a smile...if only for a minute.

TTFN!!

This is why I don't eat snow OR walk under branches with our feather friends looking down at me. So...call me paranoid. *grin* 

What to say today...hmmmm

It's beginning to look a lot like .... a merchandising free-for-all.
Have you seen all the lit-up figurines littering the lawns, porches and parks of America?




Deer, grazing or standing sentry, stationary or motorized
Trees, now with multiple color changes,
The Santa going SPLAT into a tree (my personal giggle)
The icicles...white was OK, but PURPLE????





The inflatables have joined in over the past 2 years. I've seen Winnie the Poo,
Santa, Frosty and an elf or two, but what is with the Homer Simpson Blowup Christmas lawn ornament??? I'd use that for a punching bag, not an ornament denoting Christmas.... IMHO.

I do enjoy the new one this year. A life sized glass looking ornament with blowing styrofoam pebbles inside falling in glee like a giant snow globe. That could appeal to me .
When you drive by, count how many of these things people have at $40.00 a pop. I counted one house in my neighberhood having 8 blow-up lawn ornaments = $320 USA dollars. That doesn't count all the lights, wreaths, bows and banners. Add that to the purchase price of the gifts they might shell out for AND add the rising cost of electricity... Man O' Man...this Christmas season has the green flying out of our pockets faster than they can be worked for.


No wonder, crime is up. The East Coast is dealing with a very complex and savvy bunch of jewel thieves...estimated grab, around 5 Million give or take a watch or two. No leads yet. The news reports say the economy is doing great, everything is great this holiday season so step right up and support the economy and continue its growth by buying, spending and charging.
Sounds like a touch of insanity.
A touch of greed.
A light brush of desparation.

Blow-up figurines, lights, the trappings and garnish of the Holidays veiwed on the outside of our homes is not representative of the Christmas spirit within. That is harder to see, only felt with the gathering of friends and family in our inner circles. The card made by a child to a beloved grandparent, the cookies with tiny finger prints dotting the surface along with the sprinkles decorating them, earmarked for "Santa's cookies and Milk" offering. Those are the little things.


Listening to the music that touches our hearts...not the smarmy pop star of the moment's rendition, but the classics that have notes and voices that raise the little hairs on the back of our necks as we shiver with the truth, and the truth brings tears to our eyes, hope to our hearts and reminds us the "Reason behind the Season".

There are a few different celebrations going on around the same time as the Christain Christmas and all have elements in them that speaks to the strength of family and their connections.

Merchandising would have us forget that. Or attach it to buying the Biggest item, the Most expensive Item.
Love is expensive. Its cost = trust.
Trust is a BIG item. Lack of it costs too much to the human condition. We lose so much with out its influence. When we trust, we believe.
I do not trust the merchants. I do not believe that buying what they advertise with bring happiness.

Only WE can do that...person to person. Trust, love, belief; no one owns these. They are in each

and every one of us. We all have talents to share that create that Christmas/Holiday meaning for our family, for ourselves and for our friends.

I hope you can tune out the trappings and tune into the people in your life that make your days better by just walking your life's path with you.

Yes, heavy topic for someone who sat down and had no clue what I wanted to blab about.
If I turned you off...sorry.
I do enjoy viewing the Christmas lights at night. There IS beauty there....but Homer Simpson??
Come on!!!!