Random recess

Merry Christmas out there in Bloggyland! I am speechless. No, seriously...the hoarseness started late yesterday and now I have no voice left. I realize that should not affect my typing skills; however, the sugar I have ingested is making my hands a little bit shaky. I would comment on my overall mood, but I think I forgot my new mood ring at home on the kitchen counter. Oh yes, go ahead and seethe with jealousy because my husband got me a personalized mood ring (unless of course your partner showered the same love on you). I am sorry that you will have to wait for a photo. To provide some balance, I also received a scale, which is totally fair as we did not have one. This particular scale is not to be used by pregnant women, which is all well and good as I do not intend to travel down that road again. I am left to ponder why this scale poses a danger to anyone though. I hope my mood ring doesn't have an adverse reaction...other than turning dark black when I see my weight!

Before I go rest my voice, I would just like to tell you all what a gift you have been to me. That sounds a touch cheesy, and also makes me thnk I need to go get some crackers and more of the delicious Gouda I sampled on my way in the door earlier. Hmmm...where was I? Oh for goodness sake I was trying to have a moment here (not a movement Marianne, but I still love you). Anyways...

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday surrounded by loved ones, making joyous memories, eating yummy food. Oh, and laughter...I hope there was laughter!

Just a bit of random

It has been raining here for a couple of days, taking a break now and then to absolutely pour. It sort of looks like a reflection of ourselves. As my funk grew funkier (and not in a good vibes 70's way) today, I sent a text message out to a friend who I had a feeling would offer some words of wisdom, even if those words could have been to get my tinsel together. She assured me that I was not alone, offered some other thoughts, and suggested I walk my dog for some exercise to feel better. No, I am certain she meant the fresh air making me feel better, not the possibility of true exercise to begin chipping away at my bowl full of jelly. I grabbed a cookie (of course I did), and got ready to head outside. 

Isn't it funny how sometimes you truly need to be told what to do, and be reminded to put one foot in front of the other? Oh, you don't need that? My bad. Anyhow, after grabbing my cookie, I also decided to bundle up as if it was a winter wonderland instead of a soggy mid-40's mess. I wrapped by big scarf around my neck and head, put on some gloves that matched nothing else, grabbed my jacket and the dog and headed outside. The dog did his business in a record short distance, and looked up at me to see if I knew it was raining out, so we went home. Of course he wants to peruse the neighborhood when I am out in worse weather wearing a robe and nightgown...just another one of his infinite charms. I came inside, and while I could not find my favorite Christmas cd, I did find my second favorite, and that was good enough.

Let's just take a look and see what is lying around here today...

Not only is the medical center cafe doing its part to keep folks healthy, now the Red Cross is giving out free tacos to blood donors (in October...sorry), but only if you buy that large soda. It is no wonder that they give out those coupons after the blood has been drawn. I do not know why the husband didn't head immediately to the drive thru to redeem this.

I was fascinated by this person's ability to figure out how many jolly santas it would take for my super awesome lego dude light up keychain to reach me...

Then further down in the mail pile was the envelope carrying my cousins' holiday greeting...

I am secretly hoping that I was the only one to get such wonderfully fabulous sticker stamp art. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I didn't know you could overlap the stamps. Do you think the post office really counted them?

So we are going to say this product is for adults, but still refer to it as gummies...

Do not mess with my gummy bears! Even if you are going to mail me a free sample, I know something fishy is going on!

That is it for my kitchen counter. Well, I mean there is a plethora of other stuff threatening to take over the gingerbread house property, but you don't need to see all of my secret (and not so secret) clutter.

Ricki, over at Art@Home posted this information today about making snowflakes to help the PTA decorate the school that Sandy Hook children will be returning to. You can click the button here and stop by her place to get more details.

Stacy has a random frenzy going on over at her place.

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 40

Here is a little something, (well a rather decent sized something actually) that made me happy last week...

Marianne and Julie's book is finally available for purchase! I have been killing time trying to get through a book I bought over a month ago to read while I was waiting for this hot item. (Hmmm...maybe I wrapped a few gifts and did a little shopping while I was waiting, but still it seemed like forever.) Now I am ready to wait on the curb for the smiling amazon box that will have my copy in it! I am trying to finish up my to-do list so I can jump right in.

The idea of bloggers coming together to work on a project makes me happy and all warm inside. The authors can be found at We Band of Mothers and Mothers of Brothers. The fabulous clay artist who makes Mr. Bill look like just a lump of Play-dough, and makes me laugh even harder, can be found at Clay Baboons. I have a sneaking suspicion that the creative genius behind Kirb Appeal also lent a hand with a poised red pen. Blogging relationships are not just mythical fantasies, and I am so happy and thankful for the ones I have made.

One of the few things that can make me even more happy than a good book is a good snack...

...especially when I find something delightful that is practically health food for goodness sake. Dark chocolate? Antioxidants? Low less fat...Yippee! Yes, I have an unopened box on reserve for when my book arrives!

There is more happiness on display over at Leigh's place!

Delay...

This morning I was thinking about my 52 weeks of Happiness post, and had my ideas lined up. The time now seems inappropriate, and it feels like there are other things I am supposed to say. The problem is that I have no idea what those things are. I do know that words like terror, tragedy, fear and heartbreak are a completely awful intrusion upon words like joy, hope and peace. Apparently that is all that I know...

Randumb

I am going to jump right in because a couple of things happened just as I was sitting down to write this post...

#1 When I reached under the seat to raise my desk chair, some ridiculous sticker flung itself onto my hand, and would not come off with mere soap and water.

You would think that something so sticky would have been unable to remove itself from the chair to begin with. Anyway, now I am peeling little bits off of my hands, recognizing this as just one more reason I wish people would leave my chair where I like it. Bah humbug!

#2 The computer happened to be on cnn.com. This must be the third year month week day in a row  that site has been full of headlines that are just too outrageous to consider, or look away from. I admit to watching 27 year old Frankie Muniz talking about his recent mini-stroke, but viewed no others. No, not even the 90 surgeries creating a human Ken doll.

Moving on...

Our tree is decorated, and the force was with us. However, we seem to have moved to the dark side...

In other holiday news, we did a shift at a Salvation Army kettle at the mall for the third year in a row. This year I took a few minutes to review the information they leave for folks. Here is part of the list of "rules" (sorry for the blur)...

The second one there is my favorite! I guess hypnotism could be effective.

Have no fear! Fozzie can see again after getting his haircut last Friday. Look how thrilled he was...

Lastly, here is part of an email I received yesterday talking about sending me some snacks...

See that list on the right? Clearly they have no idea how this gal defines a snack! I know how to grab myself an apple, and I call that having a piece of fruit...not having a snack!

Stop by Stacy's to see her birthday flair and other random goodies!

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 39

It would make me really happy if I could get myself caught up on blogging, but since that might not be easy to photograph, and is far from happening, let me see what else I have here...

Well, instead of being overwhelmed by the thought of Christmas decorating, I decided to conquer my fears and drag some boxes out. This hutch is certainly not going to land itself in any decorating magazine, but it makes me so happy for so many reasons...

* The dining room set itself belonged to my great-grandparents, who I had the pleasure of knowing for several years. It makes me happy to have this furniture in our home. I have posted this pic before, but will save you the trouble of clicking...

*There are many wedding gifts in the hutch that made me happy to see as I reflected fondly on that day and the gift givers themselves.

*The Christmas plates were passed on to me by a friend of the family, but only nine days of Christmas were accounted for. It made me happy this year when I was reminded that I got a fourth mug, for the missing day, on eBay last year.

* It made me happy that one tidy little corner of my world was neat, orderly and decorated (okay, so maybe I had to crop a little bit of floor clutter out of the photo).

*Looking at the vase on the bottom shelf that is filled with ornaments reminded me of a story from a couple of years ago that also makes me happy...in a bittersweet way. You can read it here.

Stop by and visit Leigh, who recently returned from one of the happiest places on earth!

Random Reallys?

NaNoWriMo has come and gone, and with that success I gained the courage to fight the dust bunnies that had been gathering and plotting to take over. 

After unsuccessful attempts to delegate, much complaining, a bit of whining and foot stomping, I took advantage of the ridiculously warm weather today and put some lights up outside. Ho, ho, ho? No, no, no...not really. Here is the conversation that just took place when my husband walked in over twenty minutes late from work:

Me: Really? (I like to skip the pleasantries apparently)
Him: Oh I was on time, but I had to drive around the block seven or eight times waiting for my eyes to adjust to the light.
Me: Shut up, and I am not even going to try to sugar coat that for the sake of the children.
Daughter, son and son's friend: (more laughter than might have been necessary)
Me: Then go drive around some more and pick yourself up some dinner while you're out.
Him: They look great.
Me: ...

I probably need to concern myself with things that truly need to be done, as I am running out of excuses and distractions (like bright shiny lights). First, however, I need to get these things off my mind (and cellphone).

It saddens me a bit that newspaper readership is on the decline, but does anybody think headlines like these are going to boost sales?

Please note the bylines sharing the front page in the upper right hand corner: searching for Christmas trees, and a mother who stashed cocaine in a baby's crib. I am so proud to live in Central New York.

Let's just file this one under "Things I've seen at the places I clean". I suppose it could be filed right between "Oh, that's petrified dog crap, not a Tootsie Roll" and "What is this wrist strap type thing attached to the bed post that I sucked up into the vacuum cleaner hose, and why are they on the three other posts too?" So let's call this "One of these things is not like the others"...

I decided not to put the toothpaste in with this collection, as I figured there was a greater plan in place that I did not want to risk mixing up...or that Reach is an outrageous applicator?

Let's move on to my grandmother's basement for a proper display of crappery...

If you find something you like, let me know and I will get it right in the mail to you. Might I recommend the "World's Greatest Mother- ( and Father-) In-Law" mugs? If you do not choose, I will be forced to select something on your behalf, so beware those of you who were fool enough to give me your addresses! I have already shown my basement shame, so I have no guilt showing other's (especially that of folks who don't have computers).

All of these things are lost on Fozzie because he can't see a darn thing! Somebody should take him for a haircut! (Really? Seriously? That is on MY list too?)

And finally, here is what was on the lunch menu at the medical center cafe...

FIVE GOLDEN RINGS (a fried things) ba dum bum bum. I wonder which office they took the o rings from and what delightful item got crossed off. I need to know! Maybe the cardiology office was giving away coupons.

Stacy is getting ready for a royal holiday! Her birthday is this Sunday, so radnomly stroll on over to wish her a happy one! Cheers!

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 38

Better late than never, and just because I couldn't get my act together should not at all indicate that I was not happy!

There was some snow on the ground this week, and that makes me happy! I am a white Christmas kind of girl and these fleeting moments of flakes give me hope that we will have at least a dusting in a couple of weeks. (Of course it poured all day today, but let's get back to the happy!)

This little guy that my daughter and her friend built made me happy!

I love it when the kids go outside, without being chased, and find something fun to do. Happiness all around!

Riled up Random

For a week leading up to Thanksgiving, I was going on about how great it was that there would still be a week of November left after the holiday...Oh how relaxing...Oh the stress that would lift. Apparently I missed the memo that this would mean people would jump out of the gates even sooner with their shopping and decor. My attempt at a fortress of solitude was shattered when I dared to log onto facebook, pick up the phone, or drive down the street and saw just how much progress other folks made while I was off visiting and basking in the joy of my turkey coma and high fructose corn syrup buzz. Sure I have a large bin of gifts that I have been purchasing all along, but they aren't black Friday gifts. I could have had twice as much stuff, whether I needed it or not, for half as much money! 

I tried to right the ship yesterday by heading to the mall, and after one less than favorable experience at a store that can remain nameless (as they did fix things several hours later), and three fruitless attempts for a friend of mine to procure a new vacuum cleaner, I was feeling rather glum. My mother stepped in to help me fling some decorations around the house. (I could try to make that sound more pleasant and planful, but I am not sure it really ever is.) When we went into the basement of shame to grab some bins of decorations, we found that whoever put them away last year must have still been reeling from the eggnog. There was no system, no order. It did not take us long to realize that she could not provide much assistance when I couldn't even help myself. I decided picking up the clutter that had no seasonal flair whatsoever might be a better place to start, besides, today would be another day.

Today? I was able to bust out of Meals on Wheels on the early side after assembling thirty-five pounds of meatloaf (and cleaning up the mess that occurred). I drove the thirty minutes to visit my grandmother, spent thirty minutes there getting things set up for Dickens Villagepalooza this weekend, and then the school nurse called to tell me that my son was visiting her for the second time with a lingering headache, sooooo....I drove/sped/twitted the thirty minutes back to get him. He is resting happily in his cushy couch set up watching some inappropriate programming. I finally pried myself off the couch to package up some more ebay items to be shipped out, and figured I would blog for a bit. NaNoWriMo is slipping through my fingertips with 18,500 or so words to go, but this post seemed more along the lines of what I could tackle. Soon, I will go refine my to-do list on the off chance that I actually manage to DO something tomorrow!

On with the show...

This turkey carrot showed up at meals on Wheels last week to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

I thought these "spiruls" were a little pricey, but I took a dollar from my "serise bisnise" friend's mother and bought one anyway...

I do love a good gag gift, but I am almost certain I can find a better use for the $15 this gem was selling for. Amanda, this one's for you (I will get you $15 worth of chocolate and tea instead)!

Please note crop cut, sequined collar, and tshirt sentiment on a sweater. On second thought, this might have been a bargain!


You look like you like to read! There is a book coming out in December written by two of my friends...really, they are my friends! Marianne from We Band of Mothers is a hilarious freedom fighter for little people, and we have even sent mail to each other. (That is totally a real friend thing. Gifts were even exchanged!) I have spoken to the always clever MOV from Mother of Brothers on the phone. (More proof of friendship, right?) She was kind enough to give me over an hour of her best self-publishing advice this past spring. (Yeah, when I was so gung-ho to make that happen. I should never give myself such a long timeframe for projects.) Anyway, this is what the book will look like...

Sounds funny, I know! There is a facebook page you can click here to go "like". For every 100 likes they get, a copy of the book will be given away to one of the likers! Yippee! The contest will end when they reach 1,000 likes. Go help make it happen, please...pretty please.
  I am off to string myself in lights and holly!

Stacy is up to her cleavage in stink bugs, so you might want to go check that out!

Another turkey breast?

My sister does not blog. It is certainly not for a lack of material, but her two sweet munchkins do not allow her the luxury of the time needed to do so. This story is being provided for your amusement, and with her permission. (She was going to send me the photo to accompany it, but perhaps thought better of it...even though I promised to figure out how to edit it properly.)

Apparently Elaine Benes isn't the only one who can send an unintended extra special holiday greeting. After spending Thanksgiving Eve at a hotel in the city, checking out the Macy's Parade balloons, my sister and her family were getting ready to head out. My nephew was being his adorable self lounging on the bed while my sister finished showering. My brother-in-law snapped a quick photo of his son in all of his smiling glory and promptly sent it to his mother, father, and brother. My sister asked him to send it to her phone as well.

Those little thumbnails really don't offer a full sense of what is going on all the time. Later, when my sister clicked to enlarge that smiling face a bit, she realized that her full frontal topless reflection was not so discreet in the upper left corner of the frame. I give her credit for being able to emerge from the bathroom and look in the mirror with no shirt, as my eyes would have burned. I am ever so thankful that we have unmirrored sections of our bathroom to hide in.

Let's just think about this for a moment...the who, the what, the wears (and lack thereof). All I could offer to console her was to remind her that at least she had underwear on, and an attempt to not laugh as hard as I wanted.

I am almost positive she is sending a Christmas card with just the two children on it this year, but I do love this one.

Thanks for the laughs Suz! xoxox

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 37

Wow! We just got back into town after being away for Thanksgiving. The packing, the driving, the sleeping (or not) in a different bed? Those things are pretty so-so, but the people?! Oh spending time with them makes me happy!

Now that we have done a few of these family photos, people kind of like them, and seem a bit more willing to cooperate. We got ourselves together in record time this year. In fact, it took longer for me to remember how to use the timer feature than it took for everyone to sit down. It makes me happy that I took so many photos. (And it will make you happy that I am only sharing a few.)

This...this right here makes me happy...

Oh, hugs make me so very happy...

I do like turkey, but this little ham (my nephew), makes me happy...

A chocolate turkey made my niece happy. If you happen to have any extra, how can you resist this face?

I wonder what happiness is going on over at Leigh's place!

Random zoo

In an effort to do something fun as a family, while also getting some fresh air, we decided to take the kids to the zoo recently. I have spent a great deal of time trying to decide whether or not these photos are appropriate to share. Well, I know they are inappropriate, but the longing to share them anyway just would not go away. (No wonder I can't get anything done with such pressing matters weighing on my mind.) Please bear in mind that this post will take a turn into some possibly kid unfriendly places, so either minimize the screen if you see small people coming, or get a ridiculous explanation ready...

Let's start here just incase...

 ...sometimes you have to order the BIG salad.

I think he is hoping they bring him some Windex and a paper towel to clean his own damn window.

Penguins are funny...simple as that.

Baby elephants are cute. This is Chuck and his mother or grandmother.

Llamas amuse me...

Oh hey bespeckled bears. What's going on in there? What's that one...

...OH MY GOSH!!!! (And I am happy to report that I was not the woman who said she thought it would be bigger.)

 So limber...

 OK, now he's just hamming it up...

Yes, I took a few pictures. Yes, we lingered longer than a family needed to (ok, the husband actually did walk away...and the fifteen year old boy might have left before his mom), but seriously? Part of the reason I was rooted was that there were families with smaller children headed our way and I had to hear whatever was going to be said. Here is precisely what I would have missed...(I would guess that the girl was about five) "He's cleaning his turtle! Just like my bunny used to?"

Sing it! We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo. How about you, you, you. You can come too, too, too. We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo!

Hum on over to Stacy's to see what tune of random other folks are in!

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 36

The husband and I celebrated our seventeenth anniversary this week. That made me happy.

He liked the new furniture I got him, and put it together all by himself. That made me happy too.

Next year's suggested gift is porcelain...hmmm, I have a funny feeling there will be a toilet bowl in somebody's future. I do not know where the crazy list originated, or who updated the traditional to modern. However, the traditional gift for fourteen was Ivory and we sure did get a lot of showers out of the fourteen bars of soap I gave my husband. He gave me one bar. It makes me happy that we have a similar sense of humor.

Stop by Leigh's blog where you will find a whole list of happy people!