Winter Post

Woke up this morning to our outside decorations of crysal ice hanging from everything and lying on the ground like shards of broken glass that crunched under foot.

I should go to the grocery store. Perhaps a shower and doing my hair will wake me up! Grandson is still here with me. "H" went to work early. Will finish wrapping, and be ready for the holiday.

What to Cook on Christmas?

This used to be a Christmas staple - Oyster Stew. I think I'll get a big pot out and get it ready for the day! Oyster Stew and champagne in front of the Christmas tree is always great at the end of the day.

Christmas Day dinner will probably be ham, standing rib roast, potato salad and cranberry frozen whip cream salad, and an antipasto tray. And more crunchy bread and rolls. Maybe a large, cold brocolli salad from the deli.

Looking for a menu for a keep it simple for famly Christmas eve supper. Maybe whole grain crunchy bread, oyster stew, and slices of roast beef and horseradish & brown mustard, left overs from night before, potato salad and a fabulous cake. I would like to go out and eat on Christmas day, but I would feel guilty being served by people who probably would love to be home with their families and friends.

Maybe mufalettas on Christmas day as well with leftover ham, spread thick with olive salad, provologne and other cheeses.



What are your Christmas food traditions?

Fog and Vampires

The past few days the world here has been shrouded in thick fogs. I feel like I am in an early Ann Rice novel. Fog, fog, and more fog.

I recently viewed the new teen vampire movie, Twilight. It was pretty sensual for a teen movie. Nothing explicit, however the co-stars were magnificent in their depiction of hot, brooding passion. (I would rather not think of my teen in such throes!) The young man, Robert Pattinson, who plays the lead was really beautiful in the role. He's stared in quite a few movies, I just never really noticed him before.

The romance in the movie holds everything many females' hearts dream of until real life sets in. It was interesting to see how many parents were at this movie with their teens. We all crave romance, I think.

Apparently the ongoing book series has been a huge hit - I picked up one of the series without scanning the book when I was in the mood for a romantic vampire novel and found it much too simple and I was bored. But I would recommend the movie for fun if one is a vampire buff - the movie was sensual and lovely in a sense.

No wonder the vampire myth trails about in our mythology - eternal youth can be an alluring concept. Although sucking blood and no more sunlight would be a drag.

Many depictions of vampires are all about sensuality and romance, but then John Carpenter's vampires don't have much allure to them. Most of his movies are very frightening - full of raw violence and fear, but no doubt truly horror invoking. Perhaps women's ideas of vampires are those of romance, and men's ideas are mostly about power. And, for both sexes, the allure of perpetual youth. Perhaps.

It would be an interesting search for the history and reasons of vampire lore's blending of fear, death, eternal life, and romance. That would be a whole other post.

Perhaps all the lore about vampires has been one way of expressing a desperate quest for eternal life, although I would rather believe that eternal life available to us would be filled with light, not darkness.

Note: If you are a vampire flick fan, this is a good listing of a "top ten." I would also be interested in any foreign vampire flicks that anyone knows of...send them on if you do.

For a listing of HOT vampires, male and female, click here. Aaliya was, I think, the hottest female vampire ever in Queen of the Damned. She was incredibly alluring while being incredibly chilling.

I don't like vampire movies that are extremely gory - really do prefer a romance vampire movie that depict the vampire as someone who really doesn't like being that way....Ann Rice was the master.

And, as the fog lifts, so do my thoughts of vampires and movies and vampire books and center back on the days list of to do's and real life.

Faces of Christmas

The faces of Christmas for me are always children's faces. I have been to countless Christmas programs through the years. Last night, grandson's choir performed a beautiful as well as fun Christma Choir special. We then had cookies and then off to a Pizza place on the beach for pizza and antipasta salad with friends and family.

Today, have finished wrapping presents and need to pick up a few odds and ends and I'll be ready! I need to plan a menu for Christmas eve supper. Christmas day will include chocolate waffles with cherry sauce. Hopefully some more of those wonderful salmon things later in the day. If not, a hot dog will do - low stress is needed.

The tree is finally done and looks a bit more lush. Sun is shining after a fog beginning of the day today. My friend in Cheyenne, Wyoming said the wind chill factor there had been 56 degrees F BELOW ZERO! Oh, pour soul, I would absolutely be whining and whimpering!!! Up in Casper, my mother said it was 20 F. below zero.

Despite the fact my hair looks like a ball of salt and pepper, with a bit of blond, black, and purple thrown in, cotton candy, I prefer the luke warm winters of the south despite sometimes this high humidity. Well, at least it keeps the wrinkles plumped out!

I need to go and make out checks for the mission that cares for the homeless and a missionary who is on my heart, hit the elliptical, shower, try to smooth hair, and run errands before picking up grandson. Parents are on a four day vacation. I think I have a teenage granddaughter wanting to live with me next semester - oi! "H" has claimed the extra bedroom for his "den" - we'll see..........

Food Again

Last night, I left the house in a heavy fog to take the beach road down to "H's" store to pick up prescriptions. It was a gorgeous drive - the humidity must have been as close to 100% as possible as it was drizzling in places too. The fog in the trees was beautiful.

While at the store I saw some crab stuffed salmon. Oh, it looked so good, but I thought it was too expensive. "H" saw me longing and packaged one up for me. It went home and was grilled on the Foreman 360 - oh, so delicious, how could I get to this age, and not have experienced this delight? Added a nuked sweet potatoe with salt and pepper. Oh, so so so good. Looked up the calories and it was under 300, the sweet potato was 115, so I was good to go.

A lifestyle of counting calories, oh I've done it before when "dieting" (always to put the weight back on) but as a lifestyle - I used to think it wasn't worth it. But some shifts have come in my life, particularly when I realized my body was close to sacred - it is the house of my spirit and my soul and it is my responsibility to take care of all three with love.

I have always been a book person, not a physical person. Besides that, having so much trauma and being centered in my mind usually, my body was the last thing on my mind many times and often I was totally out of control and disassociated. Like during my cookie making session. Yeh, true confessions. But I guess if Oprah can confess on TV and in her Jan. issue of her magazine, I can too.

Why some people can eat way more than I and stay slim and never exercise, I don't know. But now it doesn't matter - what is, is. So, I've decided food will be like coffee, I want it to be simply special and delicious. If I eat it, it'll be for two reasons - to sustain me, then, to please me. I love to cook - this will be an adventure.

Exercise will be more of a challenge, I don't like it. But, I'll find a way to make it something besides an unpleasant chore.

The mindset that doesn't want to bother with controlling this part of my life - that will be a challenge too, because if we knew what it was and how to meet that challenge - well, I could write a book and become rich. Open a weight loss center! Like any addiction, it is a very complicated issue involving the whole person, not just the body.

But, unlike Oprah, I will not be mad at myself. After a life time of losing, gaining, losing, gaining, I've realized that it doesn't matter - in the long run, it doesn't matter - what matters is now, today, and I'm going from there and loving myself skinny, overweight, and in between, and I will become a student and then a master of this complicated and myterious battle. And I will remember that I am beautiful young or old, fat or thin or in between. Looking at photos of Oprah through the years, I would wish one thing for her - that she could see that beauty that radiates from her - no matter what she weighs, how "buff" she is....the same with so many women. I wonder if this is a woman thing, or if men pick themselves apart...???

Speaking of men, how often is our battle with our looks tied up with our men, or lack of? I can say that "H" and I have been like two kids with a new toy since we've both dumped so much weight - we're having a blast - as time allows. My rebellious nature has finally accepted, yes, my weight does make a difference in our relationship. He says not, but yes, it does - and vice versa - because we are happier and healthier and better people when we value ourselves and take care of ourselves as best we can. Not perfect - I'll never be a Playboy bunny and he'll never be Bruce Willis. But hey, we're not in the market for either of those types.

I'm an observer of people. And it always amazes me to see how many women "size" one another up - what's that about? I've done it....are we searching, ready to snatch any trails of beauty the one that we are sizing up might leave behind? Are we looking so we can say, "Oh, there's a flaw, now I feel better about myself?" Or are we merely getting a visual feel for who they are? What is at work here?

So, here's to my next delightful discovery of good foods to eat!

Family

The weekend draws to a close and I will take my grandson to his new house. Then I'll come home - my ideas of many things I could do today have dwindled down, to "I'm tired, give me my house and quiet."

This coming week we have a choir special to attend - its excellent, short and a prelude to Christmas vacation. I have found the misplaced Christmas presents and found I only have three more people to take care of, and they need money so that should be easy. My older grandchildren, ideally, I would like to take each to lunch separately, listen to them, then take them to buy a new outfit of clothing and then grace them with a little money. They are becoming adults. I want to know more about who they are now.

It is possible they would rather take the money and shop with their friends....that would be as it should be as they get ready to become separate while still a part of a family and discover their own lives, ways, friends, and choices.

Family - why do people have children? I had them because I wanted to. I couldn't articulate any reason. It's what people do. Now I look back and see that there are lots of options. Then, I didn't think it through before having kids. "How will I raise them, what will schooling cost, am I patient enough," and in case of couples, "what if something happens to/with my other, can I raise children alone?" I did not even ask the question - does my "other" have the character and want to when it comes to being a parent? Important question that! Am I able and willing to love unconditionally? Is my chosen career compatible with having children? What is my priority, career or children, absolute freedom of movement? Wow.

There are also lots of reasons not to have children: You need someone to love you (what will you do when a very ticked off kid looks you in the eye and says "I hate you!" - They probably don't mean it - if they do, run, don't walk the family into counseling), a family line of addictions, do you want to bring children into the world to battle most of their life - I would think twice, our increasingly pressured world and increasing amount of horrible crimes - fear is a reason not to have children. Realizing my own limitations or goals - do they include children?

I have a friend who prayed and prayed for a child, when one became available she realized that her priority was her ministry and she didn't feel she could do both justice - I respect her for having the guts to articulate her decision and stand by it with her head held high. She is wise. And, definitely not less of a person - her sphere of influence is far beyond a house with children, she is a brilliant person with many, many people she touches along her way. Her choice was neither good nor bad socially, but personally, she chose what was good for her and should be respected for the courage to choose as she did.

On the other hand, with children, there is something very satisfying about that feeling of continuity - of looking at all those who came from you (whether by natural birth or adoption) sitting around a table in all their beauty and glory of existence. I wonder, more so now, I believe that we exist in heaven before coming here - why else would God say that we were known before we were born? And if so, we are here for a reason. We are not guaranteed life without pain - the vast majority of parents want to protect their children from pain - but if we could do that, wouldn't they be shocked when as adults they faced their first big heart break? Having children is agreeing to take a chance on heart break like you never dreamed heart break could exist. It's also taking on a bouquet of love that overflows your arms, more than you can ever hold by any method, other than in your heart.

What about kids who have come here and suffered incredibly? Maybe that person, soon to be child and God had a conversation and the person agreed to come to give certain people a chance at becoming incredibly better humans - but the people didn't take the gift, instead became worse and abused the gift. I don't know. I don't know. I do know because of my son, though he went back "home" early, he gave me an incredible gift....of meeting God. Not just myself, but the rest of my family as well.

My heart is often broken about stories of children in harm's way. But I do know that life is so very very short compared with the eternal....do we exist eternally....how could we not......I have been studying quantum physics as much as my poor mind will absorb and most agree that there has to be an intelligence behind the design of the universe. Accidents are chaos. Just the mere fact that we sit here with a beating heart, faithfully beating, day after day, year after year is not chaos. I don't know all the answers - I only know after many times reflecting on my son not living past 27, that I will know someday, but I do know how He longed to meet God face to face, he left the most awesome poetry about those meetings - that I can't make any judgements, I can only wait for my answers.

In the meantime, I am grateful for the lessons, the love, the messes, the joy, the fun, the tears, the pride, even the problems that all come bundled up with choosing to have children - I would have never done it differently, only perhaps planned more wisely to make their lives better, but maybe that wasn't my choice, maybe they chose me, maybe God chose me.

Physical Comforts

Nothing much to post, just every day stuff. A run to the lab yesterday for bloodwork, to be told since I was chewing sugarless gum I did not qualify for the fasting blood draw and that I should call and make an appointment and try again the next day. That translated out to: Instead of driving 42 miles to get bloodwork, I could actually chalk up an 82 miles drain on the environment. When I told them it would be good to TELL people what quantified a "fasting" blood draw before the appointment time, I just got a grouchy stare.

Well, to turn frustration into opportunity and to redeem the time and the mileage, I decided a Starbucks coffee was in order. Yeh. Starbucks two days in a row, yesterday and today. But, heck, gas is 1/3 of the price it used to be, so I rationalized.

Skinny Vanilla Latte. Always the same. Nursed slowly the 21 miles back home. Good thing they don't have Starbucks on this side of town. There is something about this rich coffee, slowly savored....Then two runs to the copy/postal place to copy and return more insurance forms - will it ever end? They finally gave "H" his life insurance policy. I'm still under investigation - imagine that. Doesn't seem to matter grandma and great grandma lived respectively to 102 or 3 and to 97. I would think that calculates up to good odds.

Then a run to a Christmas party at noon, but before that a run to the health food store to get a bottle of sulpher free wine for the party.

Now,finally after two days of running the road, telephone calls, the house is quiet, and its getting closer to the time to crawl into bed....yum, I LOVE my bed, huge headboard, adjustable air pockets for both sides of mattress, a magnetic layer, a tempurapedic layer, another layer, and on top - a bamboo covering that feels like heaven's clouds. Toss on a magnetic comforter that when pulled up around the ears feels like a cocoon of safety and sweetness. I love a comfortable world to sleep in....(especially after a year and one half on a foam pad on the floor)...I love it. Ha, too much! For years we used to sleep on sorry excuses for a mattress....now, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Let Nothing Ye Dismay....

Come on in, have a cookie and a shot of Tequila! Or hot chocolate capped with marshmallows!


Most of the presents are wrapped - just a few more to go.


The cookies are done - except for one more batch, Clementine Cookies. I'm done with the frenzy of baking tons of them, done with my feeding frenzy, and now think they are rather a lovely piece of art.


What child is this? Tonight he was going to auction off all his toys for an aunt who has fallen on hard times, and give her his $20.00 Walmart card. He prayed, "God rest ye merry gentlemen, let nothing ye dismay, remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas day." Then he laid his hand on my hand and went to sleep. Yeh, I cried at one of life's beautiful moments.

OOOOOOOOOOOppppppps, or not

During a bodacious governmental wire tap sting op, it appears the Illinois governor, Blagojevich is going down. Naughty to attempt to buy or sell a senate seat - Obama's in particular. Seems like this Blago guy only made $177,000 plus a year and was just not satisfied.

Just another fascinating play in politico land where 100,000 jobs at least are being lost on a weekly basis, and this dude just can't live off his pitiful salary. Where millions have no health insurance. Where ex-politicians gather their favors and paybacks after leaving office and never have to worry about their health care needs or their children's, where they have the best of everything....while stunned families in the land of the free and home of the brave wonder how long they can stay in their homes with no jobs on the horizon.

Despite the fact that I think wire tapping a person's private home phone should be illegal except in cases of treason or nationaly security, I hope this guy sees the error of his ways as he looks through bars into the excercise yard.

And the guy is so blamed arrogant he KNEW they were wiretapping him, and he goes on - and he was deemed smart enough to govern a state like Illinois? Heaven help us. Oh well, just part of a world that buys and sells people like they are merchandise...you don't need brains as long as you have a mean machine.



Pictures of christmas goodies coming up next post!

Found THE Coat

This is actually more of a jacket. It is corduroy, lined, and has a furry hood. Surprisingly warm. And, guess what! $18.00!!!!
Love my coat - temperature dropped to 41 degrees this evening and the coat is toasty warm!!!!

The best part of this is that I did not have to shop! My daughter was out looking for a coat and she found one and called me so excited that she found such a good deal. "Do they have a size larger than yours for the same price?" I asked. They did, and she agreed to pick it up and bring it home - now that's how I like to shop!

Hmmmm, perhaps she could start a business as a personal shopper for people who hate shopping! She loves shopping - will spend HOURS, DAYS shopping.

Oh yeh, never mind the locale of the photos - "H" working weird hours, cats don't know how to shoot pics and stubbornly refuse to even try (rotten attitudes!) so I improvise.

Something to show for it.....

Parrot's almost done - just some finishing touches left!



Tree is up, uh, sort of. Poor thing looks scroungy. Tomorrow want to look for real greens for decoration for the delicious smell. I need to find someone with a magnolia tree - the big green leaves are beautiful when the undersides are spray painted gold.




I am all alone tonight, so thought I'd cook my own version of a gourmet dinner. Baby yellow squash, brussels sprouts cooked with cranberries and walnuts, turnip greens, brocolli & carrots lightly steamed, and I'm in heaven.

Last night, "H" fixed blue cheese burgers on the 360 Foreman grill (we LOVE that thing - the only thing it lacks is waffle plates) burgers were delicious, but that big cheesed up burger with a half pitcher of blueberry-lime margaritas (ohhhhh they were sooo good!) put eight pounds on me over night, so thus, my veggie day. (Or did Thanksgiving week have something to do with that?) We'll see if it works tomorrow. If not will have to patiently plug away until its off.

It's been a treat to eat without my teeth causing my whole face to hurt. I have been telling my dentist here for TWO years that I am in terrible pain when I eat hot or cold food or drink, and had complained to my old dentist for a year before that about my teeth hurting so bad. I hadto drink luke warm water and eat room temperature food so the pain would not kick off. I had began to think that, along with my back, maybe I am just crazy. He insisted I had no cavities, just needed to floss better. Well, I floss when I drive, when I watch TV, and I floss a lot. Yeh, just hope you don't pull up by me at a stop light, anyway I didn't believe him.

So, after xrays (finally) Thursday he decided I had two cavities - he started filling them. I did not think he would ever stop drilling on the one, and then when he was all finished he told me the cavity was quite large and I might need a root canal. I did not do a good job "owning my power" (expressing what I was feeling at the moment-that it was HIS fault for not checking when I first started complaining). Anyway, so far, so good. I have had hot food two nights in a row, hot coffee, and even chewed some ice and NO PAIN! Hoooooray!

We spent about four or five hours today trying to straighten up benefits transfers from the old job to the new one. Shouldn't complain, but my gosh - I have filled out the life insurance questionnaires four times and they keep sending them back with additonal requests for information.

We dismantled shower curtain, washed four loads, cleaned a bathroom today, and I thought nothing was accomplished. In retrospect, we accomplished a lot - guess I was wrong. Don't know what the weekend will bring - maybe I will try to make the tree prettier or something. Seems like with everyone getting older, Christmas shopping is way less involved as they all want "big" presents - no bunches of less expensive toys....just one present each with a couple of "stocking stuffers."

I just had to give poor Psycho a tranquilizer - he has been jumping the cupboards trying to drink dishwater, jumping on the stove - jumping sidewise onto the walls, chewing his feet. He had a baby bird in his mouth this a.m. and ran from front to back, front to back, front to back over and over again - he had to climb a six foot fence each time, but when I tried to rescue him without bird, he was very hostile. I guess animals can have ADD/ADHD just like people....will have do so some research to see if it can be treated with natural products. If he'll lay still long enough, we'll put the magnets on him. SIL just came over and said he was sure it was "Mad Bird Disease." Chuckle. Rather like "Mad Cat Disease." I'm sure he's part Siamese, that might explain everything. Never knew a sane one - they are fun, but crazy.

Grandson was dropped off, so I'm going to keep him company and we'll watch "Sanctuary" (new TV series) together.

Why the Printer Won't Work

What I'd Like to Do and Grown Up Sugar Plums

I would like to go to New Orleans for three days before Christmas, shop, eat a Reveillon dinner and visit the big St. Louis Cathedral. I would like a horse and carriage ride with my sweetheart and stay at the hotel with the big chandeliers in the French Quarter. I want to drink champagne, wear a fabulous cocktail dress, with a nice coat (yeah a coat!) and then have a night of mad passionate love before coming home to have a nice traditional family Christmas. Ho ho ho. Naughty I are feeling, but wouldn't it be fun?

A mere sampling of Reveillon menus:
Hunt Room Grill at the Monteleone Hotel:
At 214 Royal Street, the Hunt Room serves a choice of Warm Foie Gras and Poached Asian Pear Merlot Gastrique and Mission Fig Sabayon or House Cured Gravlax with White Asparagus, and Dill Mustard Sauce Your next selection is between Lobster Bisque with Cognac and cream, or Salad Saint Sylvester. Entrees include Christmas Grille (veal with chanterelles), duck with red currants, and lamb with English mint($53);Salmon En Croute($47), traditional Roasted Goose and Red Cabbage($49), or Petit Filet of Beef with foie gras. Dessert can be either Bread Pudding, Creme Brulee, or Tiramisu.
Upperline Restaurant:
The Upperline at 1413 Upperline, in the uptown area, has an detailed Reveillon menu, including Turtle Soup and Creole Gumbo, Fried Green Tomato with Shrimp Remoulade, or Spicy Crispy Oysters,Duck Andouille Etouffe. Entrees are Cane River Shrimp Saute', Sautéed Speckled Trout Meunière, Grilled Salmon with Oysters, Veal Grillades and Cheddar Grits, Roasted Duckling, Lamb Rack, Filet Mignon, Béarnaise. For dessert, choose Profiteroles with ice cream, Honey-Pecan Bread Pudding, or creme brulee.
Muriels at Jackson Square:
Muriel'sstarts with Fried Oyster Chowder or caramelized Onion and Leek Tart. Then choose Satsuma Salad with Roasted Yellow Bell Pepper Vinaigrette or Duck Confit Salad with Pomegranate Vinaigrette. Entrees give a Choice of Dijon Mustard-crusted Salmon with Cucumber and Herbsaint-Dill Cream Sauce; Wood-grilled semi-boneless Mississippi Quail, served with a Creole Corn Maque Choux; or Roast Loin of North American Elk with a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir Reduction Sauce. For dessert: Warm Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée, or Pain Perdu Bread Pudding with a Butter-rum Sauce.
Rib Room at the Royal Orleans:
For appetizers, the Rib Room offers a choice of Trio of Shrimp Rémoulade, Ravigote and Cocktail or Sweet Potato Bisque with Sage Brown Butter and Toasted Pecans. Then the hearty Rib Room Salad– Crisp Garden Greens Tossed with its famous Rib Room Blue Cheese Dressing and Homemade Garlic Croutons. Entrees are Grilled Yellowfin Tuna Steak with Gulf Shrimp and Artichoke Ragout and Charred Tomato Vinaigrette or the Rib Room Rotisserie Duck with Red Cabbage and Natural Jus. Dessert is Angel Food Cake with Fresh Strawberries and Vanilla Cream.
Get the Menus:

Add this to a night of fine Blues and Jazz.....sigh......

I love Christmas season and wishing for things best kept to myself - unless - some figment of my imagination would produce a companion maybe wafting out from a container on a whiff of smoke, genie like, carrying three wishes in his muscular arms....hahahahahahahah - uh oh, another late night post, giddy with tiredness....night all, and....happy dreams of sugar plums and all that....sometimes I miss my wild, crazy, handsome Irishman who had matching ideas of romance.....

Oh, No, What Else Can Be Marketed?

Wow. While attempting to Christmas shop without leaving the house this morning, I ran across this website - now, both my cats would, like, really wear one of these. Still the concept gave me a laugh. On the other hand if my mamma kitty thought she would look like Cleopatra - she might, but only in an attempt to rule her kingdom.

Or, would my cats be thinking, "Well, humor her, you know she does bring the special salmon, sardine, blueberry, oatmeal, omega 3 cat food to ussss, so what harm looking silly once in a while?"

All I want is a decent coat for a decent price.....

No coyote/wolf hunting from the air, no stalking bears with a double barrel whatever, my idea of hunting is either by camera or shopping. I need a coat. I'se freezing.

Yesterday went to J.C. Penny's third world bargain center. Boy, has ol' J.C. changed! First, there were thousands of crammed up into wrinkled pieces in rows barely big enough to get through without knocking something off. Next, everything marked "Grande" looked like it would fit a grande size 8. And the fabric - oi - what ever happened to good ol' sturdy clothing made in the developed world, close to home? Or if you wanted an import, it woul be a classy Italian shoe or made to order suit. The labels on the clothing were all from developing countries that specialize in child/cheap labor with little or no controls concerning chemicals or safety or fit standards. Fair Trade goods are extremely expensive. It's either or - no middle ground - Sears and "Penny's," once a standard of middle of the road goods, no more.

Finally found the coats and I was stunned. The coats were advertised as 40% to 70% off regular price. The problem was that the coats which were mostly $49.00 coats to begin with (at least all the years prior to this one) were marked $250.00. The $250.00 coats were "marked down" to $99.00. Well, I found one I liked, but something in me was rebelling against what looked possibly like a "mark it up to mark it down" trick. I left the coat and walked out.

I'm having a hard time accepting change. Ol' J.C. is not what I would call a high end store, but what is the deal with department stores carrying merchandise with such high prices at so much lower quality?

Right now, I'm eyeballing the above coat, tall size - J Jilll, versatile - 25% off - - but I'm going to keep looking. When something is advertised - you have to buy it today or you lose, well that makes me feel manipulated as well.

The saddest thing is, I have a gorgeous leather jacket hanging in my closet that is four sizes bigger than me that my daughter gave me for Christmas last year. I LOVE that coat. All my life I wanted a leather coat and was waiting until there were no more children at the spitting up stage or needing a coat more than mom or I succumbed to thinking of the homeless out there on the street with no coats and bought for other children - at least I have a warm bed! - to get one and finally.....it might have been worth waiting until it wore out to decide to lose weight just so I could wear that coat to pieces.

Well, compared to the rest of the world, this is such a petty problem - I'm lucky, blessed to have warm clothing, clothing at all - I guess the point is, our society and culture is changing and I don't like it. It is most obvious in the marketing world! I might just really REBEL and start hunting bear and wolves, learn to chew the hide as my ancestors did and just make me a coat! Do a whole "back to the earth" movement in my life....yeh, sure, I will. (Won't).

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh, for the good ol' days. Oooops have to quit ranting - family emergency - baby with possible pneumonia and complication - going out now.

Telling on My Peoples

This what I think of ________ computer take all her attentions


















I haz hard work cleaning up pretzel and strawberry saladz she drop

Family and Friends

Daughter and her "H" - she sure knows how to put a man to work. Two SIL's in one shot, eh eh.
Back from a scary place - it was a privilege to meet this young man at dinner who had safely made it through his service in the worst location of war...his baby is happy too! We were doubly thankful for men like him who are willing to do whatever they have to do for their country.
Its been a long time - friend in the middle was youngest daughter's good friend in high school - now stationed here with army husband
Nana with bad hair day and youngest daughter whose house we had dinner at....
Oldest daughter and my granddaughter
Older daughter's man, and an old family friend and baby
Well, I didn't tap. I fully dove into the plentiful food available and also fully enjoyed being around family and friends. It was a great day. The only bad thing was the baby is starting to climb and pull herself up in preparation for walking and fell off of the sofa and ended up with a hairline fracture in her tiny arm - - - that was a bummer - - - the friend's and her husband's little girls are so sweet - - - it was a boisterous, noisy, plentiful Thanksgiving.

Recipe for leftover Turkey:
Sopa
tear in stripes one package of corn tortillas, cream of chicken soup dilluted with one can of milk, monterray jack cheese grated, left over turkey, several cans of green chilies, one can of sliced water chestnuts

layer the above ingredients in a casserole dish, bake at 350 for about 50 minutes - enjoy!

Thanksgiving

Thankful for blankets, a roof over my head, family, friends, enough to eat, clothing - movies, books, so many, many things to be thankful for.

'Twas the day before Thanksgiving

I smell food, let me in!


Of all the times for a leak to pop up! I will fix it even if my head blows up! Loosen up the Adam's apple a little bit, won't you.


Where oh where am I going to cook?

Oh joy! No one ever accused me of being fast. It just dawned on me that I can take the SD card out of my camera, insert it in the laptop and it will transfer the pics. Duh! Well, trying to cook - we do have a fresh turkey - oh well - I'm making stuffing (northern style), cranberry sauce is done, cranberry salad is done, I am working on the stawberry pretzel salad and the home made rolls - ohhhhhhhh my back is hurting - ow, ow, ow, ow. Days like this I am ready for surgery. Well, it'll be better later. Grandson is making various types of circuit boards, "H" getting ready for work. Daughter and grandkids coming from Mobile, and daughter who lives here is excited about hosting her first Thanksgiving Dinner in her new house. Pictures will follow. All the anxiety for nothing. But then there are always the Mimosas......coy smile here!

Feeling rough lately?

Many of my friends either have or know someone either in their family or their circle of friends suffering from kidney stones and/or infections. Even the doctors are stumped as to the cause.

I've been called a "prima donna" for tossing food back on the shelf, in the produce, or freezer that says "Made in China" on the wrapper. (Mainly because, well, I have a long list of reasons.) "Well, I don't have a kidney infection, thank you," - I tell my critics. Could it be the melamine?

Tap, tap, tap OR Conquering Thanksgiving Day challenges

Being a recovered sugarholic and maybe not so recovered, I've began shopping about for techniques to allow me to bake Christmas cookies and make Christmas candies and not eat them. I've been introduced to this "Tapping Therapy" often used to break addictions, and thought - "Well, it's worth a try!"

Last night I did all the Chakras and today have done very well with the cravings. My goal is to make it through the holidays and lose five pounds! Yes, crazy. I am a crazy person, but adorable. Perhaps this will get me through the front door anxiety and Thanksgiving day.

At the dinner table I can see it - tap, tap, tap, tap - suspicious glances, but people being too polite to ask - tap, tap, tap, tap, seven times - seven Chakras (energy centers). Tap, Tap - - - "Oh, that's just mom." (Until home with each other then - "Your mother is getting nuttier as time goes on.") Ah hahahahah, yes but now I am a (relatively)slender mudder. Har har ahahaha. I will successfully bypass the pies, the whipped cream, the stuffing, the Mimosas (orange juice generously laced with champagne), (yes, I used to eat 1/2 a loaf of bread while making the stuffing). Tap, tap, tap.....

Indians and Pilgrims and pre-Thanksgiving Jitters and Bringing Home the Bird

Feeling a bit quirky in humor tonight and, sadly, my camera downloading cord is still missing so I was searching for an appropriate Thanksgiving image and ran into this one and thought it was appropriate since this country is becoming so multi cultural. I think Thanksgiving will mean something different to each one of us. I would not be surprised in ten years if it will cease to be a holiday along with being included in our history books. I'm not sure after grade school that American History is even taught anymore????

It's very cold here - ex son in law came to paint my door about 4:00 P.M. and decided to play with the children and toy army men instead of paint and now its dark, cold, and I've not been to the grocery store, nor am I likely to go since I have no front door on the house. The door is still lying in the front yard unpainted. I'm huddled up with a blanket and my computer and am refusing to turn on the heat and "waste" it by "heating the outdoors" (boy, is that playback of script from childhood?) It took him days to paint the bedroom so I am understandably nervous about this door business. So wish for the days when I cold do this all by myself. Things were so much simpler....

Worst scenario, I will be sleeping on the floor by the plastic with a baseball bat in case of intruders. The cats will not act as watchcats because they like warmth and will probably curl up under the far infared quilt with "H." After he goes to sleep of course, because he doesn't like animals close to him unless he's in an exceptionally good mood, so they have to sort of sneak it up.

I had to throw a pillow at them this morning to break up the brawl -they screamed, hissed, and yowled at each other at the foot of the bed, both of them thinking that one queen size bed was not big enough for both of them and people too.

Tried to reach "H" to tell him to bring home the bird he has postponed bringing home so it will thaw in time. He insisted on bringing home the bird, because he is a meatcutter and that gives him absolute superiority and seniority in choosing meat. I never could choose a cut of meat or bird without something being terribly wrong with it. So, the back-up plan - - - - we might have a vegetarian meal. I refuse to pay the prices for a "fresh" last minute turkey - which in reality is one thawed in the store and then marked with a much higher price. Tonight a nice buffet at a restaurant where someone else does the cooking and the dish washing sounds very appealing. And there are no tempting leftovers.

Two oldest children should never get married, they both think they have to run things. Next, two youngest should never get married because they both want to be the babies. The middle children according to some psychologists, are the "lost children" - now two lost children would never find the turkey, the two oldest children would not get the turkey because they both wanted to be in control and the loser would refuse to participate....and the two "babies" would never bother getting the bird because someone should bring it to them, cook it, and that's that!

A simple "Let's get together for a nice and easy Thanksgiving meal" has turned into a complicated, staged, complete with menu, back spasm inducing, tiring, fattening, sprawling spread. Minus the turkey. Complete with family dynamics a la mode. One son in law will compulsively begin to cook and make a bunch of the best food you ever tasted. The other will feel rejected because he has been forced into a cooking role and is unsure of himself and will think everyone else likes someone else's food best. "H" will happily be oblivious and glad for something besides diet food. The rouge male coming to dinner will be in a bad mood because his wife leaves and goes to her mother's for dinner and his son goes to his girlfriend's house. I will be cringing as all these scenarios play out - - -

I think the Thanksgiving movie writers have chosen scripts from real life!

Speaking of movies, grandson and I went to see "Bolt" yesterday. I laughed until I couldn't laugh anymore. There were three marvelous characters - a cat, Bolt - the dog, and a hamster. Wonderfully developed characters and hilarious.

Oh well, I wasn't going to eat Thanksgiving meal anyway - yesterday's grilled fish po'boy was my treat of the week topped with red licorice. For dessert - the sandwich was not topped with licorice, haha - but it might be good?

Heavily spiked up eggnog, anyone?

Politics and Panini

I've tried to post several times and the blogspot process breaks down and I lose everything. Well.....

I haven't heard this yet on the mainstream news (but I've been "fasting" tv, except for cooking channels) - but its all over the internet. Stories are circulating that a grand jury indictment has come down out of Chicago in regard to crimes committed by Bush/Cheney. Why now? Was the power structure so intense that nothing could be done before now? Mention of "war crimes" - - this will be interesting as it unfolds.

U.S. federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald’s Chicago grand jury has voted perjury and obstruction of justice indictments to the following members of the Bush Administration: President George W. Bush, Vice-President Richard Cheney, Bush Chief of Staff Andrew Card, Cheney Chief of Staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez, former Attorney General John Ashcroft, imprisoned New York Times reporter Judith Miller and former Senior Cheney advisor Mary Matalin.

There were no indications given as to whether the President and his top staff members would appear publicly before cameras at the grand jury proceedings, given the gravity of the charges.

Besides the Valerie Plame CIA leak case, the Fitzgerald probe is reportedly far-reaching and expanding much deeper into past White House criminal acts involving Bush-Clinton drug money laundering in Mena, Arkansas to White House involvement in 9.11; but also for sending America’s young people to their deaths or to be maimed in Iraq and Afghanistan under false pretenses.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair was indicted for obstruction of justice and is reportedly consulting with members of Parliament and legal aides regarding how to avoid appearing in the U.S.A. for interrogation before Fitzgerald in Chicago.

"Imprisoned New York Times Reporter?" Yep. Politics are reallllll scary. Time will tell I guess as to the truth of what has really gone on. War Crimes are mentioned as well, such as violations of the Geneva Treaty.

As we wait to see who gets what appointments in our President Elect's cabinet, I'm wondering how this will affect the appointments?

Life is "same ol" here at the Casa. Preparing for Thanksgiving at my daughter's.

Someone gave me a new "toy" - a George Foreman grill that has a million, well, not really, but several different attachments: griddle, panini press, quesadilla press - etc., etc. I ordered an Italian cookbook full of panini, crostini, etc., recipes. Probably a big mistake....I am torn between making Christmas cookies and wondering if I can resist the temptation to eat them. That might be like an alcoholic taking a job as a bar tender. Hmmmm. My quirkiness has me searching for the hidden meaning of owning six grills, two of which are collecting dust in the garage. No mental searches of the past bring back memories particularly of sowing grills. Of course, my favorite is outdoors grilling - I so am craving a buffalo burger with blue cheese on it! It will be nice to have a garage sale and get rid of all but one inside and one outside grill - I need more space.

Last night made a late run to Best Buy - and picked up a $450.00 five year series DVD set of the LaFemme Nikita TV series - in my opinion the best series ever, for a grand sale price of $75.00. My daughter will be very happy. For five years we planned our life around the series!

If I could find the tether cords to my cameras so I could post photos - I would. It's driving me crazy - this loss of cords to everything!

Speaking of TV, Rachael Ray is on and that is my elliptical time - gotta run!

Out of the Gloom to Bloom

Went to see the Blue Angels fly today - front row seat in my own front yard. That's always a thrill. Especially when they fly a few feet over my house and the house starts rockin.'

Feeling better after just a few hours of solitude. Now I have damage to undo from allowing that negative energy to flow. Actually, it was a battle of the soul. I guess if one wins, it's ok - it's just that one needs a "cleaner" to come in to mop up the mess, and, well, I was always taught "If you make the mess, you clean it up," so I have to be my own cleaner! Most of you know November is a rough month as my son passed away on the 10th and his birthday is on the 15th. The impact hit me late this year and almost every year I forget to give myself space to grieve. My short term depression was not a gracious thing.

My oldest daughter was fighting a battle of her own - she was the warrior this time. Good job, my Maggie!

The weekend has become my work time. It fights with my desire to have the grandson by my side and to be cooking for him, putting meat on his bones, and enjoying his company, just hanging around. This weekend he is going camping with the Scouts and his new stepdad. Its cold, but that's part of it, isn't it?

IThe physical always mirrors the spiritual, so in regard to being a "cleaner," I did get the small bathroom clean, clean, clean! AND, I did environmental control - I went through the refrigerator and threw out everything old and rotting. Then I went to the pantry and took out everything I shouldn't eat, especially searching for MSG....and it will go to the food bank. At first I felt guilty for giving away stuff I thought was bad, then I decided it was up to everyone to read their own labels and make decisions. So, organized and healthy (my definitions), I'm ready to cheer up and start a new week the right way.

People came to us while we were out working who needed our products, and/or more income, people who are having health challenges. Some are old friends who came across our path, YAY! Lots of appointments to meet in the upcoming week.

It's interesting because for years I've been not very social, just thinking, this isn't my thing. But it is! I used to have my house full of people - loved to entertain, to love on people, to help them, just to enjoy them. Somewhere that was lost.

Once again, "courage" which is the middle part of en-courage-ment has arisen in my heart! It's time to get in and get moving in life. Thanks for the encouragement. One of the blessings of this blog and all of you is that we can be honest and everyone encourages the other, without being judgement. How cool is that?

Meowing Mad

My usual good nature has abruptly come to an end for the day. I feel mean, very mean, mostly because I am what is known as - fed up. Big time. The phone is in the living room and will remain unanswered. I am in the bedroom hissing like the above cat and no one dare enter. Did I miss my hormones? Maybe. Did someone "cross" me? Maybe. Have my boundaries been kicked? Perhaps. Positive thinking thing that I have been on nothwithstanding, it feeeeeeeeels gooooooooooooooood. Grrrr. Hissss. Spitttt.

What's Happenin' Dude?

What the heck? Never one to kick the gift horse in the mouth, so to speak, I nevertheless wonder why gas has gone down from almost $5.00 a gallon to $1.95 or thereabouts?

Now, there is a general panic about that! Not on the consumers' part - we are all happy because we can afford to go to work now and eat too. Apparently "demand has gone down." Awwwww, are some oil companies not going to be reaching their billions profit mark this next quarter? Do they want me to mourn for the good ol' days for them? NOT. Our country is not the only one that sits with our mouths open to be fed (oil) like greedy little birds - so European friends, are your prices down? When ours were over $4.00 a gallon, China's was at $2.49. What was that all about? We're being told that China's consumption is up drastically competing with our (U.S.) consumption - competing on what level?

Here I am - not old, old. But reasonably (old). The citizens of this great country have quit spending. We've quit spending! Thus the economy has another leg kicked out from under it. But hey. I grew up and watched two generations before me actually save until they had enough to buy something, rather than "charge" it. Not saying I have always done that, but I'm learning.

So what group of bright folks fixed this type of economy up for us that depended on us continuing to charge, charge, charge, borrow, borrow, borrow, and then they shipped millions of our jobs out of the country, what did they expect? Duh. Did they think that they could let inflation go out of control and we would keep spending when many folks are deciding between food or medicine or the roof over their heads? Let millions of illegals in to keep the flow of cheap labor and bust the unions and let our wages fall way behind the inflation without consequence? They really thought they could still get richer and richer on this system? Hmmmmmmm.

We'll just see now what they do. I wouldn't want to be president of the United States for all the money in the world right now. Wow!

For William the Cat

This blog is interrupted for a tribute to Mr. Anchovy's "William."

Sunday and Art Weekend Wrap Up

Had a fun weekend - a friend called at the last moment and suggested we go to the Greater Gulf Coast Arts Festival, which is an annual, international juried art show of quite a large size, staged outdoors and full of entertainment, food, and wonderful art.

I always pick out my favorite and may or may not buy something. Most of the time I don't have enough money to invest large - and today only spent about ten dollars, but came home with a small print from the above artist. Frames, matting, etc. are one-half off at one store, so I will have a gorgeous, mysterious, dreamy piece for "not much" from the artist pictured above. I loved her work. You can take a "stroll" with me through the artists' work via the artist link here.

We strolled with a delicious marguerita - that blew this week's weight loss - and a huge sack of Kettle Korn unlike any I've ever tasted - it was only slightly sweet, and deliciously salty. We shared a giant pickle and met a new friends. Time with friends seems to always fall short and once in a while a wonderful, out of the blue, time comes for an opportunity and life is then richer.

I came home to a big bouquet of white roses from "H" - today was a day where a gossamer spiritual yet sensual and emotional treat awaited around every corner!

Took grandson to a movie and Olive Garden yesterday where I ran into an old friend from the art program. Also ran into an old friend at campaign headquarters last week. What nice surprises. Nursed grandson's cold this morning before he went home and when I returned from the art show, nursed my own. At least I got my walking in, in a most pleasurable way.

Now, its 2:00 a.m. and it is time for praying - don't know what is going on in the spiritual atmosphere but it doesn't matter - hopefully I'll be on the plain of communication and worship where I will know what to pray about.

A Cozy Winter's Eve

Just getting ready to get my book, "Dreams from My Father," climb in bed and read and just snuggle. I got all three of President Elect Obama's books - I want to know who he is. So far I've found he is an incredibly mentally organized person and believe it or not, vulnerable and honest enough to write about those vulnerabilities. I've only read about 25 pages so far, however. Anyway, after all the political stuff, decided to get back to my normally domestic posting.

"H" bought me a Nikken sleep system because of my back when we heard people say how the system had helped them conquer sleep disorders, including sleep apnea as well as reducing pain from bad hips, backs, shoulders, etc., etc. This has reduced his wild sleeping habits by about 80% (loud snoring, kicking, flailing of arms, falling out of bed) and when I sleep in it - I wake feeling as refreshed as if I had been sleeping in a down filled bed in a cabin by a mountain stream. So....I like being in bed!

I also set up a system at my grandson's house to help with the ADD and to help him get a good deep REM processing sleep.

I've felt weird lately - headaches, nausea - sort of like a light dose of flu. I stopped at the mini-mart and they had a sign up for flu shots and I talked with the nurse and decided to get one even if I did feel woogy. So, we'll see. My arm is starting to ache in the elbow - bah. Darned if ya do, and darned if ya don't.

The boy has a case of something, coughing - his mom is sick. He came to take a peppermint bath with intentions of going home, but when he got in his flannel sleeper, he decided he would stay with "Nan" for the night. He is snuggled in my bed, watching a movie. His 3rd one for the weekend - going to have to be a bad Nan and turn it off so he can get needed sleep. Its a bummer with so much more darkness, losing daylight, and turning cold. Ok, yeh, I'm in Florida and, yes, cold is relevant - but to me it's cold.

It is cold in the morning and cold in the evening - but warm in the daytime - a good set up for viral attack. I think I will order some immune boosters and have them Fed Ex'd.

Ok, on to the bed and book.

Faces

Return to Camelot?

So far it looks like an impressive line up of Kennedys for major appointments. It will be exciting to see who gets what.

I had a HUGE distrust of Sarah Palin but I won't go into that. Now, I'm feeling sorry for her, although, as governor, she should certainly have been aware that the Repubs are traditionally blameful when something goes wrong and I will concede that Repubs do not have the exclusive patent on that either. She is being criticized for almost anything and everything - interviews, answering a door in her robe (what should she answer it in - the nude?), spending her own money on clothing (shopping) when the campaign had provided her with clothing - now I know what she was dressed like McCain's wife.

Now, I have to say, living in a place like Wyoming or Alaska - honey, you gotta do your shopping when you get to a town or city that has shops in it!!!! She was no fasionista as governor. The Repubs knew that as her first appearances were certainly not as polished as they were into the campaign. Also it has been hinted at that McCain had not been very available to her. So they pluck her out of the tundra, place her at the top of the political chain and expect her to parrot McCain/Repub presidential campaign policy? Duh. Well, I shouldn't feel sorry for her - she's a big girl, but I do. She dragged her kids through exhausting repertoire and her husband seemed to stand faithfully at her side with child on arm; in her enthusiasm her tongue was less than gracious which seems out of keeping with her Christian persona, and no one can say she didn't have her whole heart in the campaign. In short, I think she was used. Not to say that her ambitions (and ambition is a good thing - with no ambition, we don't get anywhere)didn't place her in a vulnerable position - but - well, that's politics.

So, now we move on into a new era - I truly believe it. What it brings will remain to be seen as time goes on. I feel this president will be watched like a hawk, which perhaps won't be fair, but that's the way it is. Again, fair does not equate with politics. He already has huge challenges, Russia is snorting and pawing the ground....taypayers are inheriting the bill for numerous corporate "bailouts."

Ah, life.

What, a hurricane down by Cuba - uh, what time of year is this? It is nicely cooled here - the trees that turn (not all of them) are really pretty colors, its time to plant winter gardens and I don't know if I will make that. My zucchini vine has revived and is blooming. Need to get out and fertilize all of it. Tons and tons of paperwork drag at my heals. I went to two movies last night to escape - "Changeling" was very good - I have to hand it to Angelina, what an actress. However, she is so powerful in her mere presence she almost overwhelmed the screen. It was a heartbreaking story but not without redemption.

Trying to finish up some medical for the year - while being in the middle of COBRA and dubious benefits availability - its there its just all retroactive resulting in tons of paperwork. Also changing life insurance at our age is ridiculous. The company is wanting to know the doctor's name, address, and phone number who treated me for a UTI 40 years ago. Really, that's the truth. Does having a UTI once in your lifetime result in early death? Why don't they just send me to a local physician for a check up? Duh. No, we have passed paperwork back and forth at least half a dozen times with silly questions. It just dawned on me that if one of us dies, the other will be in deep do-do because we have no other life insurance. Stupid. If you are young - get it now and keep it up or you may pay big time later.

I had a professor who once said, "You pay now or pay later." The last time I saw him, he retired (who knows how old - he wasn't looking too good) and was walking the beach in Costa Rica (small world)in a speedo. There are good reasons old people don't wear bikinis or speedos. Ah, what the heck, who really cares - live, be free, wear the speedo - or bikini - go for it!

Hope

Last night - I cried and laughed along with so many people in the park in Chicago - and wondered if Candy and Stagg had gone on down there and were in the crowds. It was an awesome time. Called my mother and we cried together - I've never felt this way about an election.

Had brunch today with a gloomy conservative friend. Maybe I'll lose friends, I don't know, but I had to say that I refuse, refuse to be gloomy about America's choice of president. I am going to do what I always should have done - pray for the country, the president. What I felt last night as I watched people dance, fall to the ground crying, hugging, rejoicing, and what have you was - encouraged. I think the energy of hope that is going forth is going to override the energy of fear, gloom, and doom. I do.

On a personal level, I admire the family's courage, his "smartness" and poise and cool under attack - I love his big brown expressive eyes - his love for his Grandma - I might not agree with every stance - there was no politician that I did, have, or ever will agree with every stance. I don't see him as a messiah - we already had one of those. I see him as the hope of a nation - the hope of something different than we've had in the past - there is something different this time, I can't put my finger on it.

At any rate, perhaps now we can begin a healing of ourselves, our nation, our world. I hope, I pray. I haven't felt this hopeful since our beloved Catholic president, John Kennedy took office so many years ago.

I feel so bad about the past but I can change the future - I will not fear, I will do as our Book says to do - I will pray for our leaders so that we may live in PEACE. Peace right now sounds good, yes? I do not believe this man could have been elected with God being asleep on His throne - I believe - well, I believe!

One Crossed off of Dream List

Remember my "Dream" list? Wellllll........our water bill arrived and "H" decided it was time to fix dripping faucets. I've never mentioned it to him, but I had always wanted a "cook neck" faucet - graceful as swans, they are. No, he didn't want one, wanted to fix it.

Soooo...enter new son in law who spent four hours under the sink. Old faucet: Unfixable, imagine that - its only nine years old. So, now convinced that faucet could not be reseated, duct taped, etc., "H" gave permission for a new one. YAAAAAAAAAAy! My daughter picked it out - and I'm in heaven - how can a faucet be sensual? Well it is. For one thing, the hot water actually comes out when the handle is turned on correctly. It doesn't spray out the side of the outlet onto the front of your T-shirt. ("H" was just holding out for the grandma in the wet tee shirt thing, maybe?)

The old faucet had apparently been installed by a left handed person resulting in a backward motion to turn the water on or off. Drove me nuts. Drove me nuts for nine years. What a pleasure to turn on the sink water and not feel confused. Silly? Yes. Anyway, nice to have a gleaming, totally functional sexy, graceful, kitchen sink faucet that does not drench me when I use it nor run up the water bill. More than nice.

This year for Halloween, we gave out close to 180 little bags of pretzels, shaped like bats n' what have you. This subdivision is Trick or Treat heaven. A haunted house complete with the whine of a chain saw was in operation down the street. Ms. Meowie, "H" and I sat on the porch and gave out pretzels. Loved it. There were a few growls about not getting candy, but oh well - they little & big dear have enough to rot their teeth for a year probably anyway. Our neighbors passed out Fair Trade Chocolate with a brochure - what a good idea - this I tucked away for ideas for next year.

This morning, another week. Got up at 4:00 a.m. - let's see - that's really 5:00 a.m. pre Day Light Savings. How I hate this - it is now 5:28 a.m. and pitch black outside. Ugh. Double Ugh. Did you know that candy makers actually lobbied for this? Check out the link - it's fun and interesting.

Election will be over Tuesday, thank heaven. At least we are all hoping it will be.

I have completed my planner and prioritized today's activities and "have to's." Oh, cool - I think my brain is returning from the frozen places it became captive in while I was in the North Country. As soon as all my cords, including the digital camera cord with all the weekend's photos, and other lost items are found from the stacks of clutter that became rearranged while carpet cleaning, all will be well. It is only November, but I had already lost the small cache of Christmas presents I had tucked away.

When I can fit art back in my life - then things will really be hummin'.