How DOES he do it??? and why I smell so "fresh" this morning...

Sam cat that is??

I have rearranged a couple of rooms recently. One even more than three times thus far! Yeah. I know.. I just can't seem to quiet get it right. Anyway- Samson (blind man) ALWAYS finds a "path" from and through all the newly arranged stuffs (mostly my electronic peripherals), traverses them WITHOUT slipping off and successfully ducks and feints his way over to me. AMAZING! Considering that they aren't in the same order every time- and he's going by touch I really don't know how he does it. But- he does.

And, at first I was typing all alone with a clear unimpeded view of the monitor and then.... da-DAH... I have a lovely orange fur-embellished keyboard and am barely able to see around his Orangeness.

Been a busy critter morning anyway. Stayed up late, late, late last night reading a lovely new novel by Tracy Chavalier, "The Lady and the Unicorn" (she also wrote "Girl with Pearl Earring". Anyhoo- as I was trying my darndest to get my feet comfortable under the cover of cats.. I realized that there were THREE felines on my feet and one dog perched in the crook of my knees. How and WHEN had that happened?? Guess I was so intrigued with the story that I failed to even realize that they were there. But- there they were. And, Sam and Miss Katarina were picture posed! There they slept- belly to belly!! She has really charmed the big boys!

After having returned from morning coffee with Mae- to my newly arranged studio (I made SURE I got a larger window view and LIGHT- yes LIGHT!) realized that my favorite woodpecker and cardinal were out there demanding food. So. Back out the door to feed the birds. Black (the larger of our two outside cats) saw me and proceeded to call to me after I'd gone back in. Couldn't stand that for long; so, opened the door to call him up and in when all of a SUDDEN Katrina darted out the door, down the steps and over to nuzzle on Black! Oh, MAN! I'll NEVER get her in, I thought! Sure enough- she thwarted his plans on coming inside and I couldn't get close enough to her to even have a chance of grabbing one of those last fleeting tail hairs. Goodness! What WAS I gonna do??

Got "smart" and thought of tuna fish. It's what "B" had used to entice her royalness the first time he ever captured her... maybe it would work for me this time! Au, contraire! Fugghedaboutit. Little scamp raced from bush to bush and back and forth underneath the stairs, but- still nowhere close enough to me to even get the opportunity to entice her with that lovely smell. She just wasnt' HAVING it! Finally- after about 20 minutes... Sandy Dawg (from next door) makes an unexpected appearance and barks- shrilly! Oh NO! This has just gone from bad to worse! She worries an worries at the very sight of that kitten and that kitten ALWAYS disappears when she hears Sandy! Quickly-- I race to Sandy and practicality drag her up the steps and have to shove her through all my indoor animals that are gathered anxiously at the door. This is turning into a major comedy of errors and I'm not in a mood to laugh yet-- haven't had NEAR ENOUGH COFFEE!!

I ended up sitting on the steps and dipping my finger into the tuna juice over and over and mewing back and forth with Katrina. To make it that much more interesting... the woodpecker is chattering and chattering to his buddies and they are flying in- seeing me, squawking and flapping off! FINALLY after about 30 minutes of this pursuit- she calls to me one last time and races past me and the bowl of tuna up the steps and is CLEARLY wanting to go back inside! DUH! Now HOW would I have known THAT might happen?? I grabbed her as she made her way past me- almost tipping the tuna all over my robe and quickly got her inside past the THRONG (two cats and two BIG dogs!) now gathered in the doorway. Thinking she and the inside cats would like that tuna now... set it down and lo and behold! They all had to have a little "love" session on Baby Girl Katrina! Rubbing noses and scampering around... no interest whatsoever in the tuna. ARGH- but, I smell quite the fishmonger's wife this morning.. and I have my inside cats in, the outside cats out- Wrigley finally asleep on my sofa and sent Sandy home to her Mama (who hadn't even realized that SHE was outside this morning!)....

I'm off to take a shower and remove the aroma. The two beloved cats are at either end of my desk settling down for their naps, FINALLY! I think I may be able to at least have a shower in peace!

Happy eve to New Year's EVE to you!

Code Blue is NOT a term for a good sale....

{ This is an actual account from January 2005, see STORY ORIGINS below. }

Well, you never know what kind of trouble Kim and I can get into.

We can find it when it's not even looking for us. Or, it can sneak up behind us and spook us and we'll just laugh! Which is pretty much the way it happened tonight-- but, I thot I'd give some of you a little insight when you hear the words: "Associates, Code Blue. All associates - this is Code Blue."

Kim and I went to our favorite store, you know the name... starts with a Wal and ends with a Mart. Being the week after Christmas we were sure to get some good markdowns-- and they might have put out new craft goodies in the craft section. Besides- we needed a little retail therapy-- as we'd not seen each other all week. Scrap Stuff. Scrap Organizer Stuff. Scrap Stuff that Some Knuckle-head had Hidden and We Just Uncovered Stuff. We'd been dutifully grabbing and comparing, flinging and filling our buggy for about an hour - when the announcement was made. Now, Kim- (being in the medical field) looked authoritatively at me and said "that means somebody's not breathing or the heart has stopped". So, we really didn't pay much heed. Too, we knew that it being New Year's night past 10 pm- that it probably wasn't a Blue Light Special kind of announcement. But, it really didn't mean anything significant to us.

We wandered a little further down the next aisle of Christmas mark-downs. Kim and I are savvy customers-- we've learned the best hours for shopping without having a lot of crazed consumers crowding the action alleys. We've been shopping this time of day (or night as it were) for quite a while- gathering up all kinds of bargains and over-looked treasures. Why! She'd even found an indoor basketball hoop for her son- and it wasn't even misshapen; the perfect new stand for her Christmas gift- a new scanner/printer. New (to us) beads and wire jewelry supplies that would work just GREAT on a new lay-out. We were just on the third aisle of the really good stuff-- the 75% clearance of holiday flotsam jetsam when the second broadcast was made.

This time it was a little shriller-- and stated that "Everyone needs to find the nearest exit and leave the store immediately. Associates Code Blue- to the nearest exit." We took the "Everyone" to mean us this time and began towards the checkouts. We'd not gotten past Health and Beauty Aids before we saw folks at the opposite end of the store running towards the exit. Uhhh... the two exits that were nearest us were both locked for the night and there was a law woman bearing towards us. She took one look at our overflowing basket and said "You need to leave that right there- there's a problem with the electrical wiring and when it's fixed you can come back and check out your buggy". Oh. Okay. Fine. Sounds good to me. No big-a-deal.

The closer we get to the exit- the associates are chattering amongst themselves. But, they aren't saying anything really legible and the kids in front of us are giggling and wondering if the alarms will go off if the wiring is really messed up. By this time- I've got a pretty sneaky suspicion that it's not a wiring problem and since the weather isn't really stormy- it's probably got to be a threat of some other kind. For one thing- by the time we get out the doors- there's no fire trucks around. Just the sheriffs deputy's. So, I ask casually to no one in particular- "should I move my car?" and one of the fleeing associates replies "Yes, you need to get to the very end of the parking lot". Uhh.. sure seems a little more ominous than an electrical problem to me. And, where ARE the firetrucks?? Shouldn't they be heard by now, they are only a mere five blocks away.

Well, Kim and I wound our way out of the parking lot around the pedestrians and refugeed across the street in the Dollar Tree parking lot. We tried our best to overhear what the associates were talking about- but, they are too far away. Since we're thirsty- we head over to McDonalds to get some refreshments- besides... there's a better vantage point from there! When we got to the cashier- we asked if they knew what was going on over next door and the guy just said- "Oh, yeah- they had a bomb threat." Now, we couldn't just LEAVE! We might miss something truly worth scrapping! I mean-- there's sheriff's deputies and police cars; but, still- NO FIRE TRUCKS! If I ran the zoo- I'd be sure and have them at least sitting there to put out even a hint of a whisp of smoke--I mean-- there's a lot of investment there! Kim and I together had at least 2 hours of effort poured into that one lone buggy! We waited 45 minutes before the firetrucks finally showed up. They still weren't letting any of the late night shoppers in the doors- but, did allow them to drive AROUND the barricades at the parking lot entrances. Can you say.. "Duh? WHY?"

I think it's because Kim and I had found the very BEST of the markdowns and some creep wanted it for themselves, called in the threat and is waiting til they open the doors back and is going to go and grab our loaded buggy over by register number 18. RATS. So much for our late night- blue-light specials bargain hunting. We can give you a blow-by-blow description of how the police-lady rode on the hood of the police car when they exited the building. That's what happens in small rural town when there's nothing open but the Super Center and it has a little "excitement".

Just thot you'd want to know.

Oh... and we never heard of any explosions or arrests since then. Guess everybody's A-ok. If you see somebody casing a loaded buggy with craft supplies and clearance goodies, tho-- get a license number for us. We may just have to pay 'em a visit.

{ STORY ORIGINS } This is an true and actual event that occurred on New Year's Eve Night of 2005.

{ DISCLAIMER } All persons portrayed are as real as humanly possible; no animals were hurt or damaged in the events relayed. I most sincerely do hope that it will never happen to you... and if it does- make sure and put your name and phone number on the buggy for later retrieval. Republished in the spirit of hilarity. Warranty is null and void if UPC symbol is damaged or marred. Not responsible for any injuries incurred while reading the above narrative. Comments welcome. This product expires when mold reaches a one inch thickness or it is determined that the product may have been contaminated by the presence of sludge, mildew or actual BS. In case of fire, break glass. Children should not try this at home. NOT AUTHORIZED for sale or rental outside the USA and Canada. Bonus material not rated or close-captioned. Distributed with symbol and trademarks representative of the author within the permission of The Queen, Her Royalness Katatrina of the Siamese. Images in mirror may be closer than they appear. Using an arm in the upright position may or may not indicate the intention to make a left hand turn- use blinkers when at all possible. Quantities limited. All sales final. Not intended for human consumption. A good rule of thumb is to use the index. Potable water is not available at this time- please see attendant for specific instructions. Did you leave your comments yet? Some things are better left unsaid... for all others shouting may be necessary. A legal document of authentification may be required for genuine purposes. Great balls of fire, good golly Miss Molly. If at first you don't succeed- try, try again. Crime doesn't pay. Keep off the grass. Are you still with me here? Then, please accept my apologies and have a Happy New Year. Baking soda makes an excellent cleanser for counter tops, laundry and teeth. The use of baking soda may actually increase sodium levels in certain instances. Care must be given in the event of a natural or unnatural disasters. I love you MIL. You, too- sisters and SIL2B. The provisions of this warranty give you specific legal rights and you may have other rights which vary from state to state. READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS. Read all instructions before using device. For Household Use Only. No serviceable parts inside. Do not attempt to service this product. CAUTION: Always use feeder and pusher, keeping item gently pressed against guide. For safety and protection push ON/OFF button. Ha ha. Caught you. Would you please tell my son and my brother I love them as well? Do not allow cord to hang over edge of table or counter or touch hot surfaces. Avoid contacting moving parts. Never feed food by hand. To protect against risk of electrical shock, do not put power unit in water or other liquid. Some critics say that the way to man's heart is through his stomach-- I say it's a skoal can. Can this go on forever? NO. Just say NO. It's noon- do you know where your children are? A stitch in time saves nine. Nine what? Shake gently before each use. Store upright at 20 to 25 degree Celsius or 66 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not freeze. Protect from light. Read all instructions before use.

The week be"faux" Christmas....

... all through the house,
not a creature was stirring,
not even a souse.

The stockings, though "hole-y"
hung on the mantle with care-
two dogs sit by the hearth,
shedding all kinds of hair.

The Head Granny of all
bundled in scarf and warm quilts
waits patiently for family
to don their new kilts.

The chief cook 'n bottlewasher
ponders recipes and book
for something spectacular
to taste and to cook.

She also commands
the decorating crew
rehanging lights
both colored and blue.

Her tree though quite slim
has nutcrackers and a star
angels and birds
but no boughs on thar!

The family has high hopes
that Santa will bring
not only gifts in shiny boxes
but gifts screaming "BLING"!

Be sure and ask my dear Mama what kind of "rocks" Santa brought her this year!!

Title inspiration credits go to: Nan!
Grinch paradoy a lame tribute to Dr 'Theodore Geisel' Seuss.

The ART of Discovery!

My gosh! My family is so talented!!

More specifically-- my Mother is very gifted!

She created some very unique pieces for each of us when we were growing up ... and when she had time!

For years- I have fondly remembered a chambry shirt she painted for me while I was in the hospital. I was twelve years old going on 13 (eeeeks, teenage years! She should have just boxed me up!) on February 13 (that day has always been notoriously bad luck for me!) when I tripped over my elephant-bell pants and killed my kidney. I don't recall a lot of the event except to say that I definitely made an impression in band class- and not for my musical talent!

Anyway-- earlier this week Dad brought home all kinds of boxes from the lakehouses.. that'll have to be a whole 'nother blog entry- what all surfaces from the depths of the flotsam jetsam of our lives from years past! The "treasure" this time was in Mae's boxes of clothes! Somehow-- she had come into possession of my chambry shirt!! And, not just that one-- but, another that she'd painted for Mae and one I'd even forgotten about- an embroidered short (that Mae had helped me with) that friends had autographed and we'd stitched their names on the sleeves!

WOW!! I had thought those things had gone "with the wind" long LONG ago and had even had the thought once upon a time that IF I'd saved that shirts I sure wish I hadda- cuz I'd make them into pillow keepsakes or somesuch!! AND-- NOW! I have it!In my hot little hands! Ahhhh-- fond memories!

I think that year (1974) ice cream soda art must have been in vogue or something- cuz, a couple of the candles and flower arrangements I received in the hospital were of that same theme. It was just by coincendence that our next door neighbor owned the Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream store and I recall vividly that he brought me ice cream each and every day of my two week stay. Let me tell you-- he was one very popular guest!

So there it is!! The saga of forgotten wearable art! And, my mom's talents still are "tasty"!!

Thanks, MOM!!

There's a Bathroom on the Right...

remember that song?? No? Well- just ask KID- he will!

Found a new word! Mondegreen! Had to look that puppy up! It described precisely what we'd heard (or thought we'd heard); but, I had no idea there was a term for it!

According to answers.com:

A mondegreen (also sometimes spelt 'mondagreen') is the mishearing (usually accidental) of a phrase, such that it acquires a new meaning.

The word 'mondegreen' is itself a mondegreen of "They hae slain the Earl o' Murray and laid him on the green", from the anonymous 17th century ballad 'The Bonnie Earl O' Murray', the last five words being misheard as "Lady Mondegreen". Sylvia Wright is thought to have coined the word to describe all such mishearings. While a common occurrence for children, many adults have their own collection, particularly with regard to popular music.

There are all kinds of sites for folks that enjoy reading other folks' mondegreens and the answers to all those lyrical questions you have had over the years...

Some of my favorite ones are Christmas songs that have gone awry...

Such as.... Good King Wenceslas... and his poor servents.

Good King Wences' car backed out
On the feet of heathens
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.

Brightly shone the moon that night
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring wine and gruel.

Good king wants his applesauce
At the feast this evening
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even.


And... the very, very poor Shepherds....

While shepherds washed their socks at night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down
And glory shone around.

I love Christmas music... Ave Marie (sung by Harry Connick) is one of my favs! I'm also enjoying the new Christmas CD by the FBC. Really puts one in the spirit!

An Olde Story of One Very Wild Christmas Gift... or... Why We Don't Invite Louise to Parties Any More!

This article is true and was submitted to a 1999 Louisville Sentinel contest to find out who had the wildest Christmas dinner. It won first prize. *(See disclaimer at end of article)*


As a joke, my brother used to hang a pair of panty hose over his fireplace before Christmas. He said all he wanted was for Santa to fill them. What they say about Santa checking the list twice must be true because every Christmas morning, although Jay's kids' stockings were overflowed, his poor pantyhose hung sadly empty.

One year I decided to make his dream come true. I put on sunglasses and went in search of an inflatable love doll. They don't sell those things at Wal-Mart. I had to go to an adult bookstore downtown. If you've never been in an X-rated store, don't go. You'll only confuse yourself. I was there an hour saying things like, "What does this do?" "You're kidding me!" "Who would buy that?" Finally, I made it to the inflatable doll section. I wanted to buy a standard, uncomplicated doll that could also substitute as a passenger in my truck so I could use the car pool lane during rush hour. Finding what I wanted was difficult. Love dolls come in many different models. The top of the line, according to the side of the box, could do things I'd only seen in a book on animal husbandry. I settled for 'Lovable Louise." She was at the bottom of the price scale. To call Louise a "doll" took a huge leap of imagination.

On Christmas Eve, with the help of an old bicycle pump, Louise came to life. My sister-in-law was in on the plan and let me in during the wee morning hours, long after Santa had come and gone, I filled the dangling pantyhose with Louise's pliant legs and bottom. I also ate some cookies and drank what remained of a glass of milk on a nearby tray. I went home, and giggled for a couple of hours. The next morning my brother called to say that Santa had been to his house and left a present that had made him VERY happy but had left the dog confused. She would bark, start to walk away, then come back and bark some more.

We all agreed that Louise should remain in her panty hose so the rest of the family could admire her when they came over for the traditional Christmas dinner. My grandmother noticed Louise the moment she walked in the door. "What the hell is that?" she asked. My brother quickly explained, "It's a doll." "Who would play with something like that?" Granny snapped. I had several candidates in mind, but kept my mouth shut. "Where are her clothes?" Granny continued. "Boy, that turkey sure smells nice, Gran," Jay said, trying to steer her into the dining room. But Granny was relentless. "Why doesn't she have any teeth?" Again, I could have answered, but why would I? It was Christmas and no one wanted to ride in the back of the ambulance saying,"Hang on Granny! Hang on!" My grandfather, a delightful old man with poor eyesight, sidled up to me and said, " Hey, who's the naked gal by the fireplace?" I told him she was Jay's friend.

A few minutes later I noticed Grandpa by the mantel, talking to Louise. Not just talking, but actually flirting. It was then that we realized this might be Grandpa's last Christmas at home.

The dinner went well. We made the usual small talk about who had died, who was dying, and who should be killed, when suddenly Louise made a noise that sounded a lot like my father in the bathroom in the morning. Then she lurched from the panty hose, flew around the room twice, and fell in a heap in front of the sofa. The cat screamed. I passed cranberry sauce through my nose, and Grandpa ran across the room, fell to his knees, and began administering mouth to mouth resuscitation. My brother fell back over his chair and wet his pants and Granny threw down her napkin, stomped out of the room, and sat in the car.

It was indeed a Christmas to treasure and remember.

Later in my brother's garage, we conducted a thorough examination and found the cause of Louise's collapse. We discovered that Louise had suffered from a hot amber to the back of her right thigh. Fortunately, thanks to a wonder drug called duct tape, we restored her to perfect health. Louise went on to star in several bachelor party movies. I think Grandpa still calls her whenever he can get out of the house.

*DISCLAIMER* The piece was actually written by humorist Jeff Foxworthy and appears in one of his books from 1996. As for whether it's a true story or not, Foxworthy says on the opening page of his web site of his material: "There's my life story (only 50% of it lies)."

Interesting Christmas Gifts

Since I'm still working on "the list"... and am pondering what to do about a couple of folks on my list that are the hardest folks in the world to buy for... I've been trying to think of "interesting" gift ideas! I had had a true moment of inspiration the other night-- even went so far as to get up "in the middle of the night" to write it down; only to discover that I can't even find the perfect object even on the infinite web. OH, well- it was a nice thought anyway! I wish these folks on my list were the "prankster" type of folk; I could come up with some real hum-dingers of gifts! Here's one I found on the internet tonight!

The following is a true story. For twenty-five years, two brothers-in-law traded the same pair of gift pants back and forth between them, each time finding more inventive ways to wrap them.

The one present Roy Collette wasn't looking forward to getting for Christmas 1988 was those damned pants. Yet he knew he was in trouble as soon as the flatbed truck bearing a concrete-filled tank off a truck used to deliver ready-mix rolled up. Sure as God made little green apples, those pants had to be in there. And he was going to have to fish them out, else declare his brother-in-law the winner of a rivalry that had spanned 20 years.

Being the sport he is, brother-in-law Larry Kunkel thoughtfully supplied the services of a crane to hoist the concrete-filled tank off the flatbed.

What's this game, you ask? What was the significance of these pants, and why were two grown men going to such efforts year after year to retrieve them, only to send them off again?

It all began in 1964 when Larry Kunkel's mom gave him a pair of moleskin pants. After wearing them a few times, he found they froze stiff in Minnesota winters and thus wouldn't do. That next Christmas, he wrapped the garment in pretty paper and presented it to his brother-in-law.

Brother-in-law Roy Collette discovered he didn't want them either. He bided his time until the Christmas after, then packaged them up and gave them back to Kunkel. This yearly exchange proceeded amicably until one year Collette twisted the pants tightly and stuffed them into a 3-foot-long, 1-inch wide pipe.

And so the game began. Year after year, as the pants were shuffled back and forth, the brothers strove to make unwrapping them more difficult, perhaps in the hope of ending the tradition. In retaliation for the pipe, Kunkel compressed the pants into a 7-inch square, wrapped them with wire and gave the "bale" to Collette. Not to be outdone, Collette put the pants into a 2-foot-square crate filled with stones, nailed it shut, banded it with steel and gave the trusty trousers back to Kunkel.

The brothers agreed to end the caper if the trousers were damaged. But they were as careful as they were clever. As the game evolved, so did the rules. Only "legal and moral" methods of wrapping were permitted. Wrapping expenses were kept to a minimum with only junk parts used.

Kunkel next had the pants mounted inside an insulated window that had a 20-year guarantee and shipped them off to Collette.

Collette broke the glass, recovered the trousers, stuffed them into a 5-inch coffee can, which he soldered shut. The can was put in a 5-gallon container filled with concrete and reinforcing rods and given to Kunkel the following Christmas.

Kunkel installed the pants in a 225-pound homemade steel ashtray made from 8-inch steel casings and etched Collette's name on the side. Collette had trouble retrieving the treasured trousers, but succeeded without burning them with a cutting torch.

Collette found a 600-pound safe and hauled it to Viracon Inc. in Owatonna, where the shipping department decorated it with red and green stripes, put the pants inside and welded the safe shut. The safe was then shipped to Kunkel, who was the plant manager for Viracon's outlet in Bensenville.

The pants next turned up in a drab green, 3-foot cube that once was a 1974 Gremlin. A note attached to the 2,000-pound scrunched car advised Collette that the pants were inside the glove compartment.

In 1982 Kunkel faced the problem of retrieving the pants from a tire 8 feet high and 2 feet wide and filled with 6,000 pounds of concrete. On the outside Collette had written, "Have a Goodyear."

In 1983 the pants came back to Collette in a 17.5-foot red rocket ship filled with concrete and weighing 6 tons. Five feet in diameter, with pipes 6 inches in diameter outside running the length of the ship and a launching pad attached to its bottom, the rocket sported a picture of the pants fluttering atop it. Inside the rocket were 15 concrete-filled canisters, one of which housed the pants.

Collette's revenge for the rocket ship was delivered to Kunkel in the form of a 4-ton Rubik's Cube in 1985. The cube was made of concrete that had been baked in a kiln and covered with 2,000 board feet of lumber.

Kunkel "solved the cube," and for 1986 gift-giving repackaged the pants into a station wagon filled with 170 steel generators all welded together. Because the pants have to be retrieved undamaged, Collette was faced with carefully taking apart each component.

What happened to the pants in 1987 is a mystery, and their 1988 packaging (concrete-filled tank) was mentioned at the beginning of this page. Sadly, 1989's packaging scheme brought the demise of the much-abused garment.

Collette was inspired to encase the pantaloons in 10,000 pounds of jagged glass that he would then deposit in Kunkel's front yard. "It would have been a great one - really messy," Kunkel ruefully admitted. The pants were shipped to a friend in Tennessee who managed a glass manufacturing company. While molten glass was being poured over the insulated container that held them, an oversized chunk fractured, transforming the pants into a pile of ashes.

The ashes were deposited into a brass urn and delivered to Kunkel along with this epitaph:
Sorry, Old Man Here lies the Pants. . . An attempt to cast the pants in glass brought about the demise of the pants at last.
The urn now graces the fireplace mantel in Kunkel's home.

Reflections on Autumn....

Worked in the yard today. Goodness! We gotta lotta leaves! When I came in to sit a spell- cleaned out my camera disk in anticipation of Christmas visits... the first two to begin this week. I'll take Mae and Mom to visit with cousins Sue and Dotsy in Little Rock and we'll eat out at some fancy-shmancy "girlie" place and shop for Christmas pretties and antiques. Then.... Nancy, Derral & Louie will drive in for an early Christmas visit! Yippeee!

I've still got some shopping left to finish- have most of it on a list, yet- there are always a few "holes". AND... I've been moving furniture and "stuff" around- and want to get that finished this week, too. So- all in all; a busy week it's been and will continue to be... that's all part of the season!

While cleaning the disk- I found this photo I'd taken next door at Mum's. She decorates for just about every event! This was just a stunningly beautiful day for November and I was so thrilled to find one last butterfly! He hurried on off- cuz it turned c-o-l-d the next afternoon! Anyway-- hope you enjoy.. and in the meantime I'll try to edit some other pix!

Christmas Memories...

We moved to Texas when I was six years old and getting to come "home" (an 8 hour trip) to my mother's parents' home in Arkansas (the very home I live in now!) was so very special! Our grandfather, Paw, drove us out to the farm where we picked a cedar tree, my mom, the kids and I lugged it back to the truck (he was crippled) and with my siblings we all decorated it with all the "ancient" ornaments! This year when I was helping my Mom decorate her tree- she explained that these ornaments weren't "ancient" after all-- they are old allright! Special because they had gotten them after the war (and after the Depression) and had not been able to get much imported!

A second memory is one year we came "home" and the grandparents had the attic made into a bedroom for us girls! I remember very distinctly my Paw roaring in laughter because he kept telling us he had a surprise hidden in the house for us- that we could have it the minute we found it! The house is one of those that you can make a large figure eight in through all the passages and rooms- the stairwell was added to an existing wall (there was no access previously) and because it was next to another door- he had pulled the door to sort of camouflage the stairs and we didn't think to look behind the door! When he finally showed us- (we were in awe alright!) the room was all decked out in Christmas bedding, decorations and we even had our own tree! After talking some to Mae this afternoon about this recollection- none of us are sure exactly when the build happened. In reality, it could be two separate memories- the first one being the room surprise and would have happened earlier in the year and the second of the decorated room- but, no one can recall the details for sure! So-- since it's my memory... I'll keep it this way- just one and at Christmas!

Other happy memories include: visiting with long-distance family; attending Midnight Mass at St. James with Grandmom and Granddaddy; going to Mimi's and having a "wrap" party and then going back to her home for the large Tanner family get-togethers (eleven siblings and all their families) and they always ended the evening with a hymn singing. Going Christmas shopping with Aunt Ruth and always finishing with someplace really nice to eat!

The photo is from circa 1964 and is Mom putting my new boots on!! Yippeee!! Loved those boots! Merry Christmas- have yourself some wonderful memories!

Merry Christmas!

It's that lovely time of year!! Wishing you Merry thoughts every day of the Christmas season!

~S