http://www.trippytext.com/ http://www.makeyourspace.com/ NEW YEAR TRADITIONS Traditions include the making of New Year's resolutions - I normally don't do this because I can't stick to them. The Tournament of Roses Parade - This is a tradition in our family that we watch every year. It's as beautiful as the Thanksgiving Macy's Day Parade. FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. In the south, we cook a huge pot of black-eyed peas, fry a huge pan of hog jowls, cook a huge pot of turnip greens and a large pone of cornbread. Black-eyed peas are considered as good luck. The hog jowl is considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Turnip greens are another "good luck" vegetable that is eaten on New Year's Day. There are some that have cabbage instead of greens, but either one is a sign of money. AULD LANG SYNE The song,"Auld Lang Syne," is sung at the stroke of midnight to bring in the new year. "Auld Lang Syne" literally means "old long ago," or simply, "the good old days." AULD LANG SYNE According to Wikipedia, the song, Auld Lang Syne" is a poem by Robert Burns, although a similar poem by Robert Ayton (1570-1638), not to mention even older folk songs, use the same phrase, and may well have inspired Burns. It is one of the best known songs in English-speaking countries - although, like many other frequently sung songs, the melody is better remembered than the words, which are often sung incorrectly, and seldom in full. The song's name is in Scots, and may be translated literally as 'old long since', or more idiomatically 'long ago', or 'days gone by'. In his retelling of fairy tales in the Scots language, Matthew Fitt uses the phrase “In the days of auld lang syne” as the equivalent of “Once upon a time”. In Scots Syne is pronounced like the English word sign — IPA: [sain]—not [zain] as many people pronounce it. Auld Lang Syne Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind ? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne ? For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. To ALL my SP Friends, blogger friends, The Hoochies and The Hottie, thanks for the memories! May 2007 be as memorable as 2006! SMOOCHES!

To reach peace, teach peace. Pope John Paul II For Daddy and Kim... they are now my Christmas angels. MERRY CHRISTMAS For my family... I love you with all my heart. MERRY CHRISTMAS For The Hoochies and THE Hottie... MERRY CHRISTMAS For the Soul Patrol... WOOOOOOOOO MERRY CHRISTMAS For the troops overseas... may you come home soon and remember that you are in our prayers daily. MERRY CHRISTMAS This marvelous ides comes from Mimi at http://Mimiwrites.blogspot.com . Go check her out and do a globe! It's easy and so rewarding. It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) Merry Christmas all! SMOOCHES!

When my older brother passed away in 1999, a very dear friend of mine gave this poem to me and my mother. Once again, I must read this poem. I know that my dad is spending his first Christmas in heaven with my brother. My First Christmas In Heaven I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below. With tiny lights, like Heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow. The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away the tear. For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear. But the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here. I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring. For it is beyond description, to hear the angels sing. I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart. But I am not so far away, We really aren't apart. So be happy for me, dear ones, You know I hold you dear. And be glad I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. I sent you each a special gift, from my heavenly home above. I sent you each a memory of my undying love. After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold. It was always most important in the stories Jesus told. Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do. For I can't count the blessing or love he has for each of you. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear. Remember, I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year. *This poem was written by a 13 year old boy who died of a brain tumor thathe had battled for four years. He died on December 14, 1997. He gave this to his mom before he died. His name was Ben.

The below was written by a professor at Ohio State University. I am going to use it for my Thursday Thirteen today as it fits perfectly this Christmas season. Number 13 is written by me. It describes a Christmas that we should live year-round. All of you have my deepest gratitude for the many ways you contribute to the excellence that we strive to achieve in all that we do for our customers and the University. It is truly a special gift to be able to share this festive time of year with you. Yet, the holiday season is so hectic for many people that we sometimes find it difficult to step back and consider the world we inhabit from another viewpoint. We often are so busy getting and giving material things that we overlook the more important gifts of which we all need abundance. I recently came across a wonderful old essay that captures the spirit of giving that I want to share with you. The author is Deanne Ludwig whose work resonates today as we prepare to turn another year’s page. I will paraphrase her essay for you, updating the language somewhat for our modern world. She asks us to consider the “Other Twelve Gifts of Christmas”, but no matter what you celebrate during this season these are wonderful gifts to think about giving all year round. Here are her thoughts: While sweaters, toys, trips are all wonderful presents to give, there are other gifts that are more precious to those you love. They cost nothing, but their effects can last a lifetime. The first gift is the gift of time. In this busy world, we often do not take the time to give ourselves to others. A phone call to a friend who is worried. A visit to an aging or ailing relative. A little more time for our parents, our children, our partners/ spouses. This is giving yourself to others for comfort and love. The second gift is the gift of a good example. Behaving so that you demonstrate respect for others, that you are compassionate, that you are a friend, that you are just, that you are honest, that you are moral, is the gift of an example for others, especially children. The third gift is the gift of acceptance. There is no better way to make a person feel good, or to defuse conflict than to accept the differences among people. This is a rare gift in this world of angry voices. Give it freely. The fourth is the gift of seeing the best in others. Let people know that you see them for their most positive attributes—and many times it will bring out the best in them. The fifth is the gift of giving up a bad habit. Sometimes our bad habits annoy others or endanger ourselves. Think about a bad habit you can give up that would be a gift to others. The sixth is the gift of teaching. Sharing your knowledge with others in a way that improves them is a great gift. Give it as often as you can. The seventh is the gift of listening. A good listener is special. Listening patiently to another is a special gift because it says, “You are important to me. What you have to say is worthy of my precious time.” The eighth is the gift of fun. Fill others with joy and mirth and you have given them a wonderful gift. The ninth is the gift of letting others give to you. When we let others give to us and when we graciously accept their gifts, we may be giving one of the most important gifts of all. The tenth is the gift of privacy. Respect the needs of others close to you to have their quiet times, and give them their privacy when they may need it. The eleventh is the gift of self-worth. Resist the temptation to criticize too freely. Let others enjoy their accomplishments; never belittle someone. Be gracious and respectful in giving advice, especially to children, spouses, partners, employees, and co-workers. The twelfth is the gift of self-disclosure. Let those you love know you. Let them into your heart and your mind, that they may be a part of you. Give the gift of yourself. As Ludwig states, these gifts cost nothing, but can bring great joy to others far beyond the calendar days of the holidays. My hope for each of you is that someone gives you something from the list of these 12 precious gifts. May 2007 be a year filled with new exciting challenges, much joy and a new found peace in the world. The thirteenth is my wish for each and every one of you, that you have a very Merry Christmas. That your heart be filled with all the joys of Christmas and may the peace of Christ be with you all.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY Edition #4 O CHRISTMAS TREE!

I have been tagged by Turn about my weirdness.... so you are getting a two for one special today! 1. I have a place for EVERYTHING! For instance, in my refrigerator I put all the condiments together, the cokes together, except for mine. The milk and my diet dew are always in the door. If someone is helping me put things away after supper and they put this stuff in places other than where I want them, I move them to their spot. I have actually threatened to put labels in my frig as to where everything should be. 2. I have a very structured work morning routine. I am always the first one up. As soon as my feet hit the floor, I grab a ciggy, head directly to the kitchen; pour myself diet Mt. Dew, in a plastic glass with 6 ice cubes, it must be a plastic glass. I stand there and drink half the glass, refill and head straight for the shower. 3. My bed MUST be made everyday before I leave the house. Not only mine, but the kids as well. I don’t feel that my house is straight unless the beds are made. And I don’t mean just pulled up either. The covers MUST be tucked tightly, the bedspread/comforter with NO wrinkles and the pillow shams and bed pillows perfectly arranged. 4. I will play the same CD over and over and over and over until I know every word of every song that I like. Take for instance the new Taylor Hicks CD. I almost know every word to every song on that… oh and I’m doing some serious car dancing too. To bad that I don’t have speakers at work because I would be doing some serious desk dancing if I did…. 5. When I’m writing a letter, note, grocery list and if my letters don’t look the way that I want them to, I will totally re-write the entire thing. It doesn’t matter if I’m almost through, if I write a letter and it’s wrong, I will redo it. 6. I have absolutely NO patience with morning traffic. I suffer from road rage. There should be a law that says people from ages 60 and up should NOT be allowed on the road between the hours of 6:00 am – 8:30 am and 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm. They are just in the way!!!! They are either driving extremely too slow, drive in the fast line slow, drive in the middle of the lanes, pull out in front of you and drive slow… they hold up traffic. There should not be allowed to have a doctor’s appointment at 8:00 am. SMOOCH!

I'm having a major writer's block. Of course, I've never been much of a writer and this is my first stab at it. With is being only 5 days till Christmas my intent is to get everyone who is NOT in the Christmas spirit... Spirited... LOL Well, we all know what the road to hell is paved with... GOOD INTENTIONS. I bought Christmas cards the day after Thanksgiving and guess what.... they are STILL IN THE BOX. God, I'm so bad... but I did think about it. Even if I mailed them today, they would still not get to where they were suppose to be going by Christmas. So to all my FRIENDS I will each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. Since I didn't get my cards out, I am going to leave you today with a poem. A Visit From St. Nick by Clement Clark Moore 1779-1863 T'was the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, -- not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled down for a long winter's nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name; "Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONDER and BLITZEN! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT." SMOOCHES!

Your Elf Name Is... Pixie Snow Bunny What's Your Elf Name? Yeah, I'm a Snow Bunny alright... wooooooooooooooooo Well, I FINALLY got Taylor's new CD and all I can say is OH. MY. GOD. I can't get enough of it. It is so freakin awesome! If you haven't got it... oh lord you don't have a clue as to what you are missing. Picture this... I get the cd Saturday. I remember about 9:30 or so that I have to bake a cake for the lunch at church on Sunday. I'm mixing my cake, singing into the beaters and dancing. My daughter walks in the kitchen, shakes her head and says "Mom, you've lost your mind." Yup, yup, yup... I've lost it. When it comes to Taylor Hicks.... Ok, short and sweet today. It's 12:15 pm and I just got to work. I must get something done. SMOOCH!

IF MY BODY WERE A CAR If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull, but that's not the worst of it. My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close. My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather. My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins. It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed. My fuel rate burns inefficiently. But here's the worst of it -- Almost every time I sneeze, cough or sputter.....either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires! And finally I MUST BLAME THE DAMM DUCK FOR THIS!!!!! Have a GREAT weekend all! SMOOCH!

Edition #5 13 Ways to Maintain a Healthy Level of Insanity 1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars. See If They Slow Down. 2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice. 3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that. 4. Put your garbage can on your desk and label it "in." 5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for 3 weeks. Once everyone has gotten over their caffeine addictions, switch to espresso. 6. Finish all your sentences with "in accordance with the prophecy." 7. Every time your boss walks in your office, pretend you are on the phone so you don't have to talk to him. 8. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat with a serious face. 9. Five days in advance, tell your friends you can't attend their party because you're not in the mood. 10. Have your co-workers address you by your wrestling name, Rock Bottom. 11. When the money comes out the ATM, scream "I won!, I won!" 12. When leaving the Zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "Run For Your Lives, They're Loose!!" 13. Tell your children over dinner. "due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY! This picture was taken last night at Kaitlin's Christmas Band Concert. She is the third to left playing the alto sax. HAPPY HUMP DAY! SMOOCH!

You Are Rudolph Sweet and shy, you tend to be happiest when you're making someone else happy. Why You're Naughty: You sometimes stick that nose where it doesn't belong Why You're Nice: Christmas would be a sad affair without you! Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Read Each One Carefully and Think About It a Second or Two 1. I love you not because of who you are, but because of who I am when I am with you.. 2. No man or woman is worth your tears, and the one who is, won't make you cry. 3. Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have. 4. A true friend is someone who reaches for your hand and touches your heart. 5. The worst way to miss someone is to be sitting right beside them knowing you can't have them. 6. Never frown, even when you are sad, because you never know who is falling in love with your smile. 7. To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. 8. Don't waste your time on a man / woman, who isn't willing to waste their time on you. 9. Maybe God wants us to meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one, so that when we finally meet the person, we will know how to be grateful. 10. Don't cry because it is over, smile because it happened 11. There's always going to be people that hurt you so what you have to do is keep on trusting and just be more careful about who you trust next time around. 12. Make yourself a better person and know who you are before you try and know someone else and expect them to know you. 13. Don't try so hard, the best things come when you least expect them to. REMEMBER: WHATEVER HAPPENS, HAPPENS FOR A REASON. SMOOCH!

I was tagged with this the first of the week by Sueann and am just now getting around to it. So here goes... 1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink. (can’t say as though I have ever done this) 2. Swam with wild dolphins (on my wish list) 3. Climbed a mountain (not a big one as I terrified of heights) 4. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive (no, do you think they would actually give ME the keys?) 5. Been inside the Great Pyramid (on my wish list) 6. Held a tarantula (hello! scared spitless of spiders!) 7. Taken a candlelit bath with someone (champagne, too) 8. Said “I love you” and meant it (never say it unless you mean it!) 9. Hugged a tree (tree tag as a kid) 10. Bungee jumped (ok, I’m terrified of heights, remember) 11. Visited Paris (on my wish list) 12. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach, beautiful!) 13. Stayed up all night (of course, did this often as a teenager… to old now though) 14. Seen the Northern Lights (on my wish list) 15. Gone to a huge sports game (can you say "Go Grizzlies!"?) 16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa (on my wish list, if I can get past the height thing) 17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables (sometimes, haven’t the past 2 years) 18. Touched an iceberg (does a man count?) 19. Slept under the stars (many times) 20. Changed a baby’s nappy (many times) 21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon (no way jose, terrified of heights) 22. Watched a meteor shower (have seen 1 in my life) 23. Gotten drunk on champagne (tend to giggle a lot) 24. Given more than you can afford to charity (yes, but it’s better to give than receive and you will be blessed) 25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope (not yet) 26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (yup, yup, yup… had one just recently…. At my Dad’s Memorial Service… was remembering the funny things about him… he wouldn’t have cared, he was probably giggling with me. 27. Had a food fight (um .. I swear it wasn't me who started it ...) 28. Bet on a winning horse (not a horse, but bet on a winning dog once at the dog track) 29. Asked out a stranger (I don’t ask people out especially strangers… LMOO) 30. Had a snowball fight (yes, every time we have snow we have snowball fights) 31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can (of course!) 32. Held a lamb (no) 33. Seen a total eclipse of the moon (yes, right after my son was born in 1989) 34. Ridden a roller coaster (my favorite ride!) 35. Hit a home run (I would like to, but it's highly unlikely to ever happen) 36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking (I always dance like a fool) 37. Adopted an accent for an entire day (One night at a bar, I was sober and everyone else was drunk, Irish, and it was hilarious) 38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment (Other than the birth of my children, right now I am happy with my life.) 39. Had two hard drives for your computer (*blank stare* you can do that?) 40. Visited all 50 states (on my wish list… maybe when I retire) 41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (many, many times) 42. Had amazing friends (wish I could make this MORE green because my friends are so incredibly amazing) 43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country (no) 44. Watched wild whales (no) 45. Stolen a sign (I plead the 5th!) 46. Backpacked in Europe (definitely on my wish list) 47. Taken a road-trip (more times than you would imagine) 48. Gone rock climbing (did I mention that I was terrified of heights) 49. Midnight walk on the beach (of course!!!) 50. Gone sky diving (TERRIFIED OF HEIGHTS!!) 51. Visited Ireland (on my wish list) 52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love (No….) 53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them (yes, and it was amazing… a wonderful conversation) 54. Visited Japan (wish list is growing) 55. Milked a cow (ummmm… can’t say as though I have) 56. Alphabetized your CDs (Nope, I’m not that organized) 57. Pretended to be a superhero (whadda ya mean, pretend???) 58. Sung karaoke (oh, come on! like you haven't?) 59. Lounged around in bed all day (oh yeah…. With my sugar pie right next to me…) 60. Played touch football (of course… I grew up around A LOT of boys… had to) 61. Gone scuba diving (wish list keeps growing) 62. Kissed in the rain (love water sports) 63. Played in the mud (love water sports) 64. Played in the rain (love water sports) 65. Gone to a drive-in theater (and all that entails ...) 66. Visited the Great Wall of China (on my wish list) 67. Started a business (not organized enough to do it by myself) 68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken (I’m totally in love now… no way he would break my heart) 69. Toured ancient sites (on my wish list…. It keeps growing and growing and growing…) 70. Taken a martial arts class (who me??) 71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight (haven’t even played for 6 seconds… not my kind of thing) 72. Gotten married (horrible mistake ...) 73. Been in a movie (does the school play count?) 74. Crashed a party (a couple of times) 75. Gotten divorced (Yup, yup, yup and it was the best thing that ever happened to me!) 76. Gone without food for 5 days (look at me… do I look like I’ve gone without food… I need to) 77. Made cookies from scratch (how else do you make them?) 78. Won first prize in a costume contest (yes, went as Tammy Faye Baker one year to a Halloween party… tears, heavy makeup and all!!! ) 79. Ridden a gondola in Venice (see note re wish list) 80. Gotten a tattoo (I have 2, one on my back and the other one…. Well… you will have to guess where it is…) 81. Rafted the Snake River (the whaaa???? ...) 82. Been on television news programs as an “expert” (me an expert… buwhahahahaha) 83. Got flowers for no reason (yes, sugar pie seems to enjoy sending me flowers for no reason) 84. Performed on stage (many times) 85. Been to Las Vegas (wish list again) 86. Recorded music (no) 87. Eaten shark (ewwwwwwwwwww… no) 88. Kissed on the first date (but not the other ...) 89. Gone to Thailand (ooh - bigtime wish) 90. Bought a house (yes) 91. Been in a combat zone (not sure what color to use here - does marriage count?) 92. Buried one/both of your parents (yes, just recently my Dad) 93. Been on a cruise ship (no, wish list continues to grow) 94. Spoken more than one language fluently (English/does Proper Southern count as a language????) 95. Performed in Rocky Horror (liked the movie, but not obsessed ...) 96. Raised children (yes, I’ve almost got one raised and will be happy when the other one is raised… LOL) 97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour (No, but it’s a coming…woooooooo you know who I’m talking about… hehehehe) 99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country (what's an exotic bicycle?) 100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over (yup, when I was preggy with Matt and feared I would shame my family because I wasn’t married) 101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge (why would I want to, a height thing you know) 102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking (why should I care?) 103. Had plastic surgery (I would love to have, but to chicken) 104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived (No) 105. Wrote articles for a large publication (I’m not talented enough) 106. Lost over 100 pounds (lost 90 lbs, does that count) 107. Held someone while they were having a flashback (don't want to talk about this one) 108. Piloted an airplane – (height thing again) 109. Touched a stingray – (why would I want to) 110. Broken someone’s heart (oh God, I hope so, because he crushed mine) 111. Helped an animal give birth (cat, dog,) 112. Won money on a T.V. game show (No, but would love to be on Deal or No Deal!) 113. Broken a bone (Nope) 114. Gone on an African photo safari (sounds amazing, wish list) 115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears (I don’t THINK SO!) 116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol (I’m a country girl, what do you think??) 117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild (No, I would be afraid I would get the poison ones) 118. Ridden a horse (was obsessed as a teen) 119. Had major surgery ( a few ) 120. Had a snake as a pet (NO WAY!!!! ) 121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (always been fascinating to me) 122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours (only when ill) 123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states (have never been to a foreign country, wish list again) 124. Visited all 7 continents (wish list again) 125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days (does floating the Buffalo River count) 126. Eaten kangaroo meat (No Thank You!) 127. Eaten sushi (No Thank You!) 128. Had your picture in the newspaper (a few times, and NO is wasn't my mug shot!) 129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about (I hope so) 130. Gone back to school (yes, but didn’t finish) 131. Parasailed (heights again) 132. Touched a cockroach (ewwwwwwwww) 133. Eaten fried green tomatoes (yum) 134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey (not that I can remember) 135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read (I’m not much of a reader) 136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (I don’t hunt, I just cook it! Leave that to Matt) 137. Skipped all your school reunions (have been to every one of them) 138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language (no) 139. Been elected to public office (buwhahahahaha ... me public office… buwhahahaha) 140. Written your own computer language (*blank stare* whaaaa?) 141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream (came close a few times) 142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care (wouldn't want to) 143. Built your own PC from parts (hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha) 144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you (I can’t even draw a stick man…so NO!) 145. Had a booth at a street fair (a what???) 146. Dyed your hair (I refuse to answer this one ...) 147. Been a DJ (No) 148. Shaved your head (I have thought about it a few times…. lol) 149. Caused a car accident (Oh God, I hope not) 150. Saved someone’s life (Not that I’m aware of) Have a great weekend all! SMOOCH

My 13 favorite Christmas movies… Edition #5 1 Miracle on 34th Street The original, I enjoy watching Natalie Wood, with those beguiling, wide, innocent eyes, try to believe in Santa Claus after being told by her mother, that Santa really doesn’t exist...Her mother is head of the department that hires men to be Santa in the annual Macy‘s Thanksgiving parade and when her latest Santa gets drunk the real Santa just happens to be in the neighborhood and is hired...When he tells everyone his true identity things get a bit out of hand...Is he able to keep his promise to the little girl and can he make her believe in him? Will the world believe after the mail to Santa is delivered to the courthouse during his competency trial? 2. A Christmas Carol The one with Patrick Stewart as Scrooge: I know I just said I enjoyed the first version the most but coming in second is this one...Stewart does such a great job in this role and, with the advent of better special effects, the scenes with the ghosts are much scarier and fun at the same time to watch. The Cratchit household has a more realistic feel of what it must have been like for those with low incomes in those days, a drearier feel of helplessness so, when the happy ending unfolds, and Scrooge sees the error of his ways the difference stands out 3. A Christmas Story Filled with funny fantasies that 9 year old Ralphie has when he dreams of his ultimate Christmas gift, a “genuine red flyer carbine action air rifle". He will do whatever he can to get the message across to his parents and Santa Claus whether begging or dropping hints whenever he can...Along the way we are taken back to those good ole days of the 1940’s in a small town when things were a bit simpler. Its charm is the way his dreams are shown in clever vignettes, which take this film out of the ordinary Christmas children’s movie category. 4. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation Chevy Chase takes parenting to new heights in this truly silly but very funny movie. He wants nothing more than to give his family the perfect Christmas, with the perfect tree that he goes out into the forest to cut down himself, which of course, is way to big for the house. Hilarious results ensue when the entire family shows up to share the holiday including the cousin from hell with his family in the wreck of an old motor home. When Chase doesn’t get the Christmas bonus he expected the results would be disastrous if this wasn’t the Griswalds family we were watching. More important, once again was the lesson learned about the meaning of family and the spirit of Christmas. 5. It’s A Wonderful Life What would a Christmas movie list be without this classic film being included? Though I sometimes think I never want to watch it again I find myself being inexplicably drawn to it when I see it playing on TV. This vintage movie from the 40’s tells the tale of a small town hero who makes a wish and, when it’s granted, finds out how much his wish affected everybody in the town just by the very nature of how he has led his life and how he was so important to so many others and the town itself...James Stewart played this part with such complexity and warmth, that to this day I think it was his best role. Lionel Barrymore is the ultimate Scrooge and should have played that role in one of the Christmas Carol movies. 6. Elf Another new movie for me and one I really didn’t expect to like...I’m not too crazy about Will Ferrell since he left Saturday Night Live but this is a cute story about a baby who accidentally crawled into Santa’s bag on Christmas Eve and was whisked away to the North Pole...There he was raised by Elves and thought of himself as an Elf. But soon his size became a problem so his Elf “parents” decided it was time he returned to his world...That’s when the problems began and the lessons in the movie were learned. Ferrell did a good job without going completely over the top as he has done in a few of his other movies and, as I said, I actually did enjoy this movie to my big surprise. 7. Polar Express I haven’t seen this one yet. This is on my must see list for this year. I can’t make any comments yet, but my 11 year old daughter tells me this is one of the most wonderful Christmas movies she has ever seen. She will be getting this movie for Christmas. 8. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (original) I can't resist this classic Dr. Suess tale with songs sung by Burl Ives. It's been a favorite since I was a child. (not sure this counts as a movie, it's really more of a half hour tv show)I list this before the movie, well, because I like the original better. Its about the only childhood show I still enjoy. 9. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Jim Carrey) I wasn't sure whether they could pull off remaking a classic Dr. Suess tale, but Carrey and company managed to pull it off. I thought this movies recreation of Whovile was spot on. As far as Carrey goes, his version of the Grinch was unforgettable. 10. SCROOGED Assistant on the Christmas Carol special: "I can't get the antlers on the little mice". Bill Murray as Frank Cross: "Have you tried stapling them?" I always loved this comedy take on the classic Scrooge. Keep the original and the countless remakes, I'll take this comic update every time. Bill Murray's dead pan humor makes this holiday movie a riot, but throw in Bobcat Goldthwait, Carol Kane, and even Robert Mitchum, and you have a film that I can watch every year and still laugh. 11. Home Alone Always a favorite for good laughs, Macaulay Calkin plays Kevin McCallister an 8-year old who's forgotten at home by his parents when they travel to Europe. Thieves are looting all the houses in the neighborhood, but when they come to the McCallister house they're in for a surprise! The two thieves in this movie are played by Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. This is a good movie for the kids and adults. 12. The Santa Clause One of my favorite Tim Allen movies! A divorced dad (Scott Calvin) has his son for the holidays and finds more adventure than he bargained for. After Santa has a mishap, Scott trie on Santa's suit and hence becomes Santa! His appearance changes over the next year to actually match the jolly old guy! 13. Jingle All the Way This is a broad comedy about a father's desperate attempt (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to find an action figure on Christmas Eve. This is pretty outlandish, and full of coincidences, but it's really funny. Although the fact that no one seems to recognize Arnold Schwarzenegger's character despite his distinctive accent, he is still pretty good, as is the supporting cast: Rita Wilson as his wife, Sinbad as a mailman also desperately searching for a Turbo Man action figure, and Phil Hartman (R.I.P.) as the ultimate smarmy neighbor. Even if a movie about a frantic search for a sold-out toy sounds like it would run out of steam fast, this is still a great movie, though one in which adults will more appreciate a few of the parts.

Past, Present and a few other things

Ok, so what were you doing in the past? What are you doing in the present? Ten years ago: I was 33 and very unhappily married with a 9 year old son and a beautiful 3 year old daughter. I was having some major health problems. I was diagnosed with cancer, but by the grace of God it was all contained in one area and didn’t have to have any treatments. Five years ago: I was still unhappily married! That was when I found out that the jerk was having an affair and I thought my life was ending. Three years ago: I was fell in love with the most wonderful man that I will spend the rest of my life with. I knew then that my life had just begun! Yesterday: Work. Went home, cooked supper, babied my sickly daughter, crawled into bed with my sugar pie and fell asleep. Today: Work, but tomorrow TGIF!!!!! … yippee…. Yes, I know I've been off work for two weeks but come on now... I got spoiled during that time. I got to take my naps... ;-) Tomorrow: Work... again... then coming home and settling in for a peaceful but busy weekend. I must get my house cleaned this weekend. Matt's room is still in a shambles. I don't like to clean it too soon after he leaves because his smell is still in there. Five snacks I enjoy: Reeses Cups Chocolate Chip Cookies Doritos Nutty Buddies Snickers Ice Cream bars Five bands/artists that I know the lyrics of MOST of their songs: Lynyrd Skynyrd The Eagles Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band Aerosmith Elton John Five things I would do with $100,000,000: Give to my church. Remodel our home. Pay off my bills! Give to family and friends. Put away in savings. Five locations I’d like to run away to: Hawaii The Mountains Disney World Cancun Mexico Switzerland Five things I like doing: Blogging Cooking Shopping Yard work Being with my family Five things I wish I could wear: A bikini Daisy Dukes (yeah, I wore these as a teenager, too old now) Skinny jeans A mini skirt Stilletos Five TV shows I like: CSI (all of them) Deal or No Deal Biggest Loser Law and Order (all of them) American Idol Five Movies: The Pursuit of Happyness Animal House Hairspray A Christmas Story Slingblade Five famous people I’d like to meet: All my blogging friends (yes you are famous) Oprah Winfrey Dr. Maya Angelo President Ronald Reagan(yes I know he's deceased, but would have loved to meet him) Denzel Washington Five biggest joys at the moment: My children My family I'm healthy! My Blogging Buddies My Marine Moms Group Five favorite toys: Tony (hehehehehe) My computer My digital camera My car… oh yeah I love my Mustang Oh, did I mention Tony?? SMOOCHES~

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY! SMOOCH!

A Tag that I found on http://juliesjewelsandjunque.blogspot.com Thanks Julie... I am keeping most of what Julie had but I have added a few of my own. RESIGNATION I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 10 year-old again. I want to go to Burger King or McDonald's and think that it’s a four star restaurant. I want to sail rocks across a fresh mud puddle and make a mud pies. I want to think M & M's are better than money because you can eat them. I want to lie under a big oak tree on a hot summer's night and count the stars. I want to take walks down to the stream and sit on the banks, with my feet in the cool water. I want to run barefoot in the fresh cut grass. I want to play tea party with my girlfriends. I want to return to a time when life was simple, when all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset. I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good. I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again. I want to live simple again. I want to hear my mother say "If you keep crossing your eyes they will get stuck" I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones. I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow. So . . . here’s my checkbook and my car keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you’ll have to catch me first, cause…..... …..”Tag! You’re it.” SMOOCH!

Christmas Specials I will be 42 in January. I only say this so that readers will be able to gauge my review of this classic based on my age. While I was growing up, prior VCR tapes and DVD players, we would wait all year to view the various Christmas specials that aired each year. I remember sitting glued to the TV taking in every second of the shows. Back then if you missed part of the show or even the whole show you were border line depressed because you knew you couldn't see it again for a whole year. In some ways anticipation made the viewing of Christmas specials that much better. SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN is in my top five specials, right along with RUDOLPH, FROSTY and THE YEAR WITHOUT SANTA CLAUS. I enjoy the 1970's feel this classic has. The flowers that appear when Jessica sings, the simple toys the kids play with and the songs that are sung throughout this show. I can only imagine what a modern version of this show would sound like with its boy band sounding songs and electric toys and video games. Instead of watching Kris and Jessica court each other and wed we would probably see them live together while they consider marriage. This was a scary classic. The Winter Warlock was very scary when I viewed this as a kid. No matter how many times I saw this as a kid I would always wonder if Kris would make it past the warlock. I suppose the best thing about this type of Christmas classic is that when people my age view it they can escape back to their innocent youth for a short while. Even though I now own the VHS of SANTA CLAUSE IS COMING TO TOWN and soon hope to purchase the DVD I make myself and my kids wait until Christmas season to watch it. It's not quite the same as when I was a kid but anticipation still increases the viewing pleasure once we do watch it. SMOOCH!