I Guess One Should Always Get a Shopping Cart

Well, my daughter and I are back from Meijer, where we got ingredients for the chili fest AND frozen mac and cheese, 2 bags of chips (buy 1, get 1 free), Jeffrey rabbit pellets, sparkling non-a grape juice, pop  and roses for my mother.  Our list was 5 items long so we picked up a little red shopping basket.  As you can see, we should have taken a cart.....just in case.

Later this afternoon, we are planning to see How Do You Know?, the movie with Reese Witherspoon.

I am having a very lazy day.

The winner is UPTOWN!  Chicago's neighborhood of the year!  Congrats!

A New Year Resolution

Along with eating right and exercising, I have resolved to be a peacemaker and a goodwill ambassador.  I will keep you apprised of my endeavors.
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope.
Where there is injury, your pardon

....grant that I may never seek,
So much to be consoled as to console.
To be understood as to understand.
And to love with all my soul.

A Quarter Century Old

Today we are heading to a Japanese sushi and steak restaurant to celebrate my son's 25 birthday!  He was born on New Year's Day, a day the Wolverines won the Rose Bowl.  I'd like to think that is why he is such a sports fan. On his birthday, we will watch the Gator Bowl.  I'm thinking that the Wolverines will triumph over Mississippi State.

Many many blessings

How I enjoy hearing the laughter of my children as we gather to celebrate Christmas.  My greatest gift--that we were all together.  God showered us with good health, time together and gifts.  My son and I went to church this morning to "praise God from whom all blessings flow." and "to thank we all our God."

Flute shopping

 A few years ago, I sold my 40 year old closed hole Gemeinhardt flute.  Inexplicably, I am feeling the need to play flute, so I have been online flute shopping.  I've been checking out new and used flutes--Gemeinhardt, Pearl, Artley.  I would play for fun, so I don't need a professional model.  I am considering purchasing a flute after Christmas.  I am eager to play once again.

I work today and tomorrow and then I have three days off.  A treat since I rarely get days off in a row.

I was lying in bed when I heard AJ the cat knock something off the kitchen counter.  After 2 minutes or so, I got up to check it out.  Pudge had immediately gone into the kitchen to investigate.  AJ is on Santa's Lit'l helper's naughty list.  A plate of sugar cookies was on the floor.  Bad kitty!

One week 'til Christmas

The celebration of Christmas is a progression. We start Sunday by picking up our daughter from the airport.  She will be flying in from DC, weather permitting.  We will fill the rest of the week with grocery shopping and baking.  On Christmas eve, our son arrives.  Then off to church to rejoice and sing "Joy to the World."  On Christmas morning,  our family exchanges gifts and shares a big breakfast that everyone helps make.  Pancakes, sausage, eggs, hash browns, breakfast rolls, orange juice.  We travel a few blocks to spend some time with my parents, brother and sister and their families.  We exchange more gifts and share a meal.  The Christmas joy continues...

Hello everyone!

The Midwest blizzard knocked out our modem, and since our cable system is so new, we had no clue how to reset it.  So in the midst of projects, and end of semester requirements, we had no internet or phone service.  But folks, I am now back online and one happy camper!  A very personable, knowledgeable cable guy fixed the problem.

Have to work today.  The store did well the first part of December, but is slowing down.  That is why our customers and callers are precious as gold.  Many families have decorated and celebrated.  I doubt there will be a last minute rush.

Can't imagine putting the responsibility of taking care of a car in the hands of a young 16 yr old.  Yikes.  She vacuumed up a shoelace and it wrapped itself around the vacuum cleaner shaft!  Had to use a knife to remove it.  I sold the Escort for a pittance.

Happy! Happy! Happy!

I am very happy today--deliriously happy.  Two of my colleagues stated that "we have the most hours this week."  Well, they need the money, so I'm happy for them.  My brand new car needed something called a "cam sensor" and since I've only had the car 3 days, the dealer fixed it for free.  However, tomorrow I have to promise not to bring the car in for repairs unless I pay for said repairs.  Talked to a nice young man who might be interested in the Escort.  I was the FIRST in line at the Sec. of State, since no one was there due to the blizzard and ice skating rink roads.  My online friend misinterpreted what I wrote and was hurt, altho no hurt was meant.  That's the trouble with not being able to clarify anything verbally.   Had the most delicious sour cream sugar cookie that a work colleague made.  Need a picture of the desolate lane, snow covered and lonely and covered with widow makers.  Yes!  I am happy.

The Storm

After slippin' and slidin' to church, decided that I should replace the tires on the Sebring.  Those trips to the west side of the state wore them out.  Came home and shoveled the driveway and sidewalks, altho the heavy snow is still coming down.  Read that part of the Minnesota Metrodome roof collapsed in the blizzard.  Many states are involved in this cell-IL, ND, SD, MN, WI and MI to name a few.  Have to work today and then was planning to drive 16 or so miles to get my hair done.  Will decide later in the afternoon.  The storm advisory is 'til 11pm.  Have recommenced writing in my journal.  I have come full circle, and as I wrote last nite, I don't think it is a bad thing.  Hope to work on my children's book too, one of these days.  Guadate Sunday today.  We lit the pink candle on the Advent wreath today.  Christmas is less than 2 weeks away.

A new attitude

Isn't it amazing how I put something away 7 years ago, and now I can't find it?  I am looking for a car title.  Searched high and low and can't find it, so a trip to the Sec. of State is in order on Monday.  Think I can send my Christmas cards out today.  I am still missing a couple addresses, so a few more days before I can put complete closure on the cards.  My friend is AWOL again.  I know the friend is okay but unresponsive, and really has been since July.  Never any response but then perhaps my emails are uninteresting.  I have a few more things to do on my Christmas to-do list.  Clean my house and my parents' house.  Grocery and gift shopping.  Make sugar cookies.  TA DA!  End of list.  I am going to enjoy the company of friends and family, colleagues at work, the customers that come into the store.  I have a new attitude!  :)

Early morning thoughts

Up at the crack of dawn, couldn't sleep.  Thinking of my aunt, and about the '98 Escort that I am trying to sell.  The engine is worth at least $600--I checked on ebay.  So far, no offer close to the $500 that I'm asking for it.  Will be patient.  Many calls, even one from IL.  Hope my plans work out today.  First the funeral and luncheon, then work for a few hours, and after work a Christmas service at church.  I will mail my Christmas cards out on Monday.  I didn't want them arriving the day of my aunt's funeral.  I felt that would be insensitive.  I would like to purchase a few more surprises and bake sugar cookies.  I don't think there is anything more delicious than a fresh sugar cookie.  Have been playing music on my dulcimer.  Need to work on the picking and strumming, and I have dulcimer music on my wish list.  Hope my associate is in a better mood.  I could not do or say anything yesterday, that she wasn't oppositional.  So, I didn't do or say anything so as to keep the peace.

My 6th anniversary

Today my boss asked, "Do you know what day it is?"  Well, I knew the date and that I was going to the visitation at the funeral home.  I told him, "No, I don't."  He took a beautiful big yellow rose from behind his back and told me "Happy 6th anniversary!  Thanks for 6 years."  What a wonderful surprise!

After work, I went to the visitation at the funeral home.  Tears and laughter as you can imagine.  Visits with aunts, uncles and cousins.  A promise to be with them tomorrow for the funeral.  I just hope the weather cooperates with little snow and no freezing rain.

After the luncheon, a special request by my boss to work a few hours.  

Odds and Ends

Went to church today.  I remembered my aunt and her family, those people suffering from depression, and unborn babies.  When I came home, I put an ad in the paper for my car.  It runs like a charm, but was totaled in an accident.  I'll see if I can get a few dollars for her.  I just love it when I fire off a text to someone, only to discover that I've sent it to the wrong person.

In loving memory

My aunt had the most infectious laugh.  Her eyes would light up, her mouth would smile and she would enjoy the humor of the moment.  She and another aunt would host a Christmas party or a Communion celebration at the fire hall.   I remember how she took care of my brother and me when my mother was in the hospital.  She would approach me with her new baby and ask me if I wanted to hold my new little cousin.  She always took the time to chat and was positive and affirming, concerned and interested.  I saw her in June at the family reunion, but my uncle and aunt left when the weather turned threatening and the tornado sirens blared.  Yesterday, on December 6, the feast of St. Nicholas, this very special aunt went home to Heaven. leaving her husband of more than 50 years, her children and their spouses, her grandchildren.   "Lord, grant her eternal rest.  And let perpetual light shine upon her. Amen."

Second Sunday of Advent

Today is the Second Sunday of Advent!  The Gospel reading, John the Baptist, "a voice crying out in the wilderness.  Make straight the path of the Lord."  I am trying, during Advent--not too successfully.  I am trying to smile and be helpful and to be a good listener.

Our newest pet

I just held the newest member of our family--a small fragile baby rabbit named Jeffie.  She is 6 1/2 weeks old, a small fluffy bundle of cream and gray fur.  Such a tiny little girl!  We need to learn about rabbits.  She is living in Lisa's room and is Lisa's pet.  Our 8 lb mini dachsund stands by Lisa's room and whines.  Just wait Maui.  Jeffie will soon be bigger and heavier than you!

A missing online friend--back to journaling

The positive aspect of having an online friend, is that the friend can help sort out thoughts, help me muddle through problems, be a listener and be supportive.  Since my online friend is missing, I have decided to not become involved in making another online friend at this time.  Before I had this friend, I wrote in a journal.  The trouble with a journal is that it doesn't answer back!  I had two worries the entire time I was writing to my online friend.  The first, that the friend would stop writing, which actually if I'm honest happened in July, though I heard sporadically up until Thanksgiving. The second was that I would unintentionally offend my friend, and I would get a harsh reply back.  Perhaps it's a question of fitting.  I don't know that I actually fit into this friend's life.  Our lives are very different.  Take care my missing  friend.

A pleasant visit and honesty

I called my mother and haven't been able, for a variety of reasons, to talk to her.  So today, I decided to take her a bunch of flowers.  I would go to my parents' home, arrange the flowers in a vase and chat with her and my dad while I did it.  We had the most wonderful visit.  My father made tea and gave me his turnover and showed me his die cast car and truck collection.  A successful idea.  A friend of mind is AWOL, and I've even gone so far to check obits to see if his name is there.  Can't imagine what is going on, and I am worried and wondering if he'll ever contact me again.  Makes me sad.  Am observing my mantra at work, KMS, "keep mouth shut."  One of my catfish is not healthy and I wouldn't be surprised if she died.  Am trying to feed her more than usual and am keeping the water in the aquarium warm. I put up the Nativity today, and my winter village.  Picked up a surprise and in doing so, lost my cell in the parking lot. A very honest man called my parents and left the phone at the courtesy desk of an office supply store.