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!