Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 27

Cats on Tuesday: Is Christmas Over Yet?


CATS ON TUESDAY is a group of cat lovers who share pictures and/or stories about their cats once a week, hosted by Gattina.


Kosmo sez, the last couple days da Beans been crazy! They've been ambushing us wit dose reindeer ears and takin pikturs wit dose flashy tings!

Dey got us on Christmas Eve.

Dey got us on Christmas Day.

An den dere was yesterday!


I taught Christmas was over wif! Uh...Boxing Day? What's dat?



Dey say it's my turn to wear dese ears! Halllllllllllp!



Oh no you didn't! What do you mean you want a piktur of all of us in dese ears?



No, I won't smile for the camera, are you kidding me?



I fink it's all over until next year, fank goodness!


Want more cat blogging?

Be sure to check out Gattina's blog and Blogging Cat Noos for all the latest!

Monday, December 26

Our Merry Christmas

We had such a lovely Christmas and hope everyone else who celebrates enjoyed peace and joy yesterday.


All of us donned festive head wear whether we wanted to or not! ;)



The kids made merry



and TB and I made merry!



Tomas came over later in the morning. It was fun to watch him open presents!





TB made this checker board for T in his workshop. It came out beautifully!



TB explains how to play checkers



T and his daddy enjoy a moment together



Kristin took this picture of me. See the little pin on my collar? I love it! It's an angel pin for grandmas and T gave it to me! :)

Hope everyone is enjoying this day after Christmas!

Saturday, December 24

From All of Us To You: Merry Christmas


We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas



We wish you a Merry Christmas and...



Someone is gonna die for this!



How do I get this awfffffffffffffff????



I fink I know how!



Woooohooo! An a Happy New Year!



Awright, so maybe the ears aren't so bad!



Merry Christmas to all!

Saturday, November 26

Bah Humbug to Black Friday shopping

I think I'm in the minority of people who choose to say no to Black Friday shopping and just sleep in. This year some stores (Walmart, Toys R Us, Target and others) opened Thanksgiving evening. And the people came. Not only did they show up, some of them started camping out in front of the stores on Tuesday! One couple had a young child with them. So they were going to stay out overnight for several days and spend their Thanksgiving in a tent!

Nope. Not me. A sale is never as important as spending time with my family on Thanksgiving.

You know what will happen now, don't you? The stores will declare that the customers loved this new opening time, are willing to come and shop and so they'd probably come out even earlier. Pretty soon we'll have people rushing out to shop between the turkey and the pumpkin pie. Or ... they'll skip it all together and just camp out like that couple with the child did. I'd love to hear this kid's memories of Thanksgiving. Oh, yes, we spent the week camping and shivering. Then Dad would go to Wawa and bring us back Gobblers (turkey, stuffing, gravy & cranberry sauce either in a bowl or in a sandwich). Then the store would open and we'd have a race to see who got the most the fastest. And one year, I even got pepper sprayed in the face!

Yep, this year a woman brought pepper spray into Walmart with her. She was determined to move all those cattle, I mean, customers out of her way so she could get everything on her list. She pepper sprayed about two dozen people right in the face, got her stuff, went to the check-out line, paid and left. Okay, so you know there were people who saw this but no one stopped her. Walmart has employees on the floor. I know they would much rather have been with their families but where were they? Did no one see this woman? I'm willing to grant that the cashiers didn't see her commit assault because they were probably very busy checking out all the other shoppers. So this woman assaulted two dozen shoppers and got away with it.

You know, this may start an ugly trend when shoppers want to get other shoppers out of the way. Thursday it was pepper spray. What will it be next time?

Rich and I went out on the first Black Friday event I can remember in 1999 or 2000. We were up at 3 or 4 in the morning and it was cold. We had to bring the kids with us because we had no babysitter. That was the first turn-off, looking at those poor, sleepy, shivering kids. Rich blasted the heat and stayed in the car with the kids while I went from store to store and did the shopping. We got some good deals, it's true, but many items were "bait and switch" to get you to spend more. That was the only time I went Black Friday shopping. I didn't think the bargains were so great that I'd drag my kids out of a sound sleep and put them in a cold car. There's no way I wanted to be getting up that early either!

About all those bargains I saw people carting away, I wondered how much of it was truly Christmas presents and how much I-want-it-for-myself gifts. I read a short article somewhere about the large amount of money people spend on self-gifting. I mean, who's getting that 55" flat screen TV? Or that new iPod or iPad?

I don't want other people's selfishness and stores' greed dictating when I'm going to shop. There will be no Black Friday or Small Business Saturday or Cyber Monday for me. I have a budget and a list I'm working with and will go in my own time. I may not save a ton of money but I think I'll have fun choosing gifts for everyone.

Friday, November 4

Thursday Thirteen Random Thoughts on Friday

I meant to post this yesterday using the meme format but I just never got the time to sit down and do it. I'll get to that in a minute.

1. So Bank of Satan, I mean, Bank of America, is thinking about dropping the idea to charge all its customers $5 a month for using debit cards. They say it's because of all the feedback from their customers. Ha. I'd like to think it has something to do with November 5 switch-from-a-corporate-bank-to-a-credit-union day. I heard some of these other banks that were jumping on board with BOA are also reconsidering. Thank you. How much money did we spend on bailing out BOA and other banks again? They're making nice profits and what do they want to do? Squeeze more money from all of us!

2. And don't get me started on those obscene bonuses executives of other corporations bailed out are receiving!

3. Part of the reason I didn't get to blog was because TB and I were busy going to Walmart and Lowe's to get a couple of things for the craft show on November 12. This venture is costing us. It's not expensive if you've got it but we're using money that would go to other stuff. TB needed things like lemon oil, sand paper, cash box, queen size sheets ... Yes, queen size sheets. I think we're going to borrow them from his mom. They're to cover the table from top down to the floor. The lady running the event said she uses queen size sheets so it should be good.

4. I'm seeing "Blithe Spirit" with Kristin on Saturday night. She's treating me, which is really nice. She's taking drama this semester and one of the requirements is that students have to take in a play. It's been quite a while since I've seen a play...maybe almost two years. Tickets for non-students is only $10 so Bill wanted to join us. I'm looking forward to this!

5. I'm relieved that Dr. Greenbaum was pleased with how TB's doing after his most recent appointment. The abdominal wall infection cleared up and the seepage from the incision slowed down considerably!

6. We're having a hard time remembering to finger stick first thing in the morning! Our sugars have been running over 100 lately so the doctor wants us to test for two weeks before deciding what else to do. After testing several times a day for years, you'd think this would be old hat to us but I guess two years of freedom from it all has totally erased all the old habits. If we forget to get the fasting level, we go for an hour after the meal. I'm kind of bummed that the levels have been above normal.

7. Another reason I didn't have time for blogging is I had a therapy appointment. She thinks I am depressed again. Really? I think it's situational. Yes, I'm stressed. There's a lot going on. I don't think there's a pill for that. I take a nap to escape the stress.

8. Christmas decorations in October? If you looked, you could see them lurking in the background. The Halloween decorations barely came down before the Christmas ones went up. Does anyone else get depressed about this stuff? I mean, what about Thanksgiving? Can't the stores wait until "Black Friday" weekend to start all this commercialism? The arrival of Santa at malls was traditionally after Thanksgiving. Now it could be anytime in November. I was in the middle of filling out this survey for B101, a radio station in my area, and they want to know when did I want to start listening to Christmas music? Now? November 15? After Thanksgiving? I was about to say after Thanksgiving but then I thought if I have to be subjected to all this other crap now, why not enjoy the music? Holiday music does lighten my mood considerably.

9. Now I'm rating Christmas songs for B101. There sure are a lot! It doesn't seem like they all get played because in past years if feels like I just hear the same ones over and over.

10. Kristin's taking ASL 101 this semester and it's fun to practice with her. Her signs are nice and clear and her face is very expressive. I'm glad I can help her practice. She's doing very well in this class.

11. I'm still working on that Christmas song survey for B101. I wonder if they'll pay attention to my results? I wonder if anyone else had the patience to sit there and rate all those songs?

12. Why does trying to find the best insurance plan/a doctor have to be so darn difficult? We're still trying to figure out our medicare options, waiting for the information about the insurance companies to come in the mail. Also: Kristin was on the phone for about an hour trying to find doctors that would take her insurance. We'd first called the insurance company and they passed us off to the "preferred provider", whatever the hell that means. The preferred provider at least was more helpful. The representative got on the phone with the gynecologist's office and finally got them to understand who they were. The doctor's office then agreed to make an appointment for Kristin. As for the other doctor, well, we struck out and so the rep is doing a search among nurse practitioners to find an appropriate doctor. Don't ask me why nurse practitioners are doing this. I have no clue.

13. I don't think there's an end to this Christmas song list on B101. I'll probably be here tomorrow too! ;)

Saturday, December 26

'Twas the day after Christmas ...

...and we have about an hour before we leave for the Hussey Family Christmas party so I thought I would update with some pictures from our day yesterday.

I got up around 7--not the first to awaken but the only one up then. I took a couple of pictures of the tree.


If you look at the bottom right, you'll see that Amber was admiring the tree too.


Kosmo didn't seem especially impressed with it

It was a very laid-back day. Normally, everyone's up and opening gifts by 9 but this year, nearly everyone slept in. By the time we started breakfast (around 10 a.m.!) we hadn't even opened any gifts yet.


Little T and his dad came over as we were having a very late breakfast. He said he didn't want any thing at first but as soon as all the food was gone, he wanted eggs, LOL, so I made a scrambled egg just for him!


Bill helped Tomas search for the pickle ornament while I made the little guy his egg. Tomas found it but decided Bill could play Santa in his place.


We'd gotten T a handheld V-Smile game player and here, TB and I enjoy playing right along

Think regifting doesn't work? Check out the look on Kristin's face!


Other pictures from the day:


Kennan, TB and Kristin


Kristin and Tomas

I hope everyone else had as blessed and wonderful a Christmas day as we did!

Thursday, December 24

Merry Christmas 2009



From our house to yours, a very Merry and blessed Christmas!

Thursday Thirteen #44: Christmases Past


Thursday Thirteen


TB and I have been together since 2002 and I thought I'd go back and find some pictures from Christmases past to share. I have some pictures from 2002 but none of them are digital and I didn't have time to scan them. Oh well. Here's thirteen I picked out from 2003 on.

Decorating the tree in 2003:


Bill & Kristin


Kristin

From 2004:


Little T's first Christmas ... held by his loving Pop-Pop


The joy of being a child at Christmas! Something simple like a tee shirt can make a kid so happy!

From 2005:







This was a special gift to the kids. I'd taken their dad's coat and mailed it away to a wonderful person specializing in making bears from the clothing of loved ones who've passed away.

From 2006:





From 2007:


Heidi


Tomas

From 2008:



Thursday, December 17

Thursday Thirteen #43: Favorite Christmas music in versions I enjoy a lot


Thursday Thirteen


We have two stations playing Christmas and holiday music 24/7. You know what? They're playing the same songs by the same people hour after hour. If I hear "It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas" by Perry Como, "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby or "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" by Bruce Springsteen one more time I swear I will pull over and start screaming. I've started playing classic rock again because I'm sick of the same old song replayed over and over. I know there's only so much music out there but ... there are different versions and there are other tracks on the holiday DVDs. They just don't do radio like they used to. Remember the days of "deep tracks"?

Anyway, this Thursday, I decided to go with my favorite Christmas music either in unusual versions or by different artists we don't hear ad nauseum on these holiday-music-only stations. I left out the titles that I am completely sick of, LOL.

1. Christmas Canon Rock by The Trans Siberian Orchestra


2. Hallelujah Chorus by the Johann Strauss Orchestra and Harlem Gospel Choir



3. Stille Nacht (Silent Night) by St. Thomas Boys Choir
Silent Night was originally German! I remember that from a Disney movie years and years ago!



4. Carol of the Bells by Celtic Woman


5. O Holy Night by Mariah Carey



6. Adeste Fidelis by Andrea Bocelli

I like music sung in their original languages!



7. Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth by Bing Crosby & David Bowie

I saw this special when it originally aired! It was the last Bing Crosby Christmas special and it had a bittersweet air to it. Also, what a pairing! The aging, traditional crooner and the up and coming, off beat rock star!



8. Happy Christmas/War is Over by John Lennon



9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen by Mannheim Steamroller



10. Joy to the World by The Trans Siberian Orchestra



11. The First Noel by Celtic Woman



12. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland

No one sings it like her and I don't hear this version very much any more!



13. What Christmas Means to Me by Stevie Wonder

Saturday, December 12

The gift of time (GiST #30)

The time spent with a loved child is such an immeasurable blessing! Santa came to our town's fire hall today and we wanted to take our grandson. My graces are told with pictures today. :)


What is there about small children and balloons?


The entertainment couldn't have been better!


The big man himself with our little guy! T may not look thrilled in this picture but he really was excited to see Santa.

"What are you going to ask for?"

"Presents."

"What kind of presents?"

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten!"


This has to be one of the best shots of the day. ;0)


It doesn't take much to make a child happy--and most of it is just the gift of time with a parent or grandparent.


This is the best gift for me, too.

Grace In Small Things

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