Christmas Feasting

Every Christmas Eve day, Seamus gets his "I'm going to Granny's house" bath. It is once a year he is allowed in the house and he has to have a bath. He gets so excited he cries and is very patient in the tub. I'm sure it is quite a sight, the two of us in the shower together. This year, my husband and son ran up a head of us, the dog and I followed - so we could play Santa. I was taking my time getting ready and in the foyer of the bedrooms, his head was stuck around the corner and shook his "Christmas Bell Collar" and actually Woofed at me, while stomping is foot for me to hurry up. One look at this table, and you'll know why.


Seamus has his own "block of cheese" and bowl of "apples" for appetizers.

See how "PAW" is handing him a piece of cheese? Wouldn't you be excited too? - AW, it is once a year, folks and Granny is allowed to spoil her grandchildren.


Just begging for more... see his mouth open? He huffed at me again for attention.



After dinner (two Kosher ALL BEEF hot dogs, peas and corn and some ham), we are finally able to relax and enjoy our soft cuddle toy that he had no interest in, until the food was gone. It is a very special day and it is amazing how he remembers from one year to the next, "Do you want to celebrate Christmas at Granny's?

This Isn't New York, but we have Ice Skating!

A few years ago, Milwaukee County Parks started freezing a little area in Downtown Milwaukee so residents can ice skate. The park is called Red Arrow Park. There is a Starbucks that serves as a warming house. You can rent skates for $6.00's or bring your own and skate for free. The best part is the Zamboni that cleans the ice. As a child, I was a pretty good skater able to do sit spins, camel jump, toe pick and cross overs.

The Friday after Christmas, turned out to be a nice 50 degree night. With heat on cold comes fog. It was a beautiful night! What a great way to have an impromptu evening!

The city was lit up beautifully!

I had a video, but after several unsuccessful attempts to load it, I found out the file was too big. Hope you enjoyed the photos!

How do you enjoy your city?

Saturday Photo Hunt #143

HOPE... from tnchick.com

Annual Tradition

Our traditional New Years Eve seems to be the Harlem Globetrotters Game. We have gone the last 3 or 4 years and always take my parents. Every child, should go once in their lifetime. I remember my dad taking me as a child and having a globe on a stick that lit up when they shut off the lights. That's from a very long time ago! So from then, until now, the Harlem Globetrotters have made their rounds every New Years Eve to Milwaukee. I think it is an honor!

Happy New Year to you and yours! And tell me, how did you spend your New Years?

Polar Bear Plunge

The annual Polar Bear Plunge took place at Milwaukee's Lake Front. Crazy I tell you... check out the Journal's photos here. BRRRR

Better late than never......

A very belated Happy Christmas! I hope you and yours had a joyous one. Christmas is not one of my favorite holidays, but my mom always does a brilliant job. We got to her house Christmas Eve! I'll leave you a little look to our evening and her decorations. :)
Merry belated! I said, I would like some cheese please!

'Da hubs with 'da scout.

The annual train race!

WOW my own i-pod nano! Thanks granny and paw!

Loving homemade gifts from the scout!

Christmas tree, with double train track.

The wise men......

The candy dish....

A special village, and Annie below.

Oh the joys of owning a dog........

Bitter cold, strong winds descend on area
By Mike Johnson of the Journal Sentinel
Posted: Dec. 21, 2008 9:36 a.m.


Southeastern Milwaukee got hit with 2 to 4 inches of snow overnight, and winds gusting up to 50 mph and bitterly cold wind chills are expected to make digging out somewhat of a problem.


About 2.2 inches of snow was reported at Mitchell International Airport. Brown Deer had 3.8 inches and West Bend 3.4 inches.
Of more concern today is the wind and cold.
The National Weather Service says we will be lucky if the temperature gets above zero today.


Wind chills early this morning were hovering in the minus 30 to minus 39 range. Mineral Point reported minus 39, Milwaukee and West Bend minus 33, Kenosha minus 36 and Waukesha minus 31.


The strongest wind gusts were reported at Kenosha harbor, at 50 mph, and at Milwaukee's marina at 45 mph.

More snow is in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, with 2 to 4 inches possible on Tuesday and 4 to 8 on Wednesday.

"I just doesn't end," said meteorologist Penny Zabel.

A snow day should be relaxing.........

but, at 4:45 a.m., I got a text message alert that school was closed.
The scout, who cant' get up at 7 for school, was up at 6:10; at 6:20, a voice message came through on the phone line... school was closed. at 6:40, I was out to plow 3 driveways.

The front of my house..... I left that for scout to shovel.

The 2nd layer is what fell after I plowed the three driveways

my baby should be nice and warm!

Stay warm and everyone have a great holiday!

Fib vs. Lie

Scout told me a story today after school, It is a good one, I have to tell you that and I am actually very proud of him. But then he made a comment and made me wonder if it was true. So I asked if it was a fib and he said a lie? I said not exactly.

I told him a lie is when you say something and you know it isn't true. A fib is when you tell a story and it grows and you add a few things for effect. So a little while later, he comes by and tells me that he told a little bit of a fib in the story and only one little bit wasn't true and he told me which part. It actually was for effect and it wasn't that big of a fib. As he gave me a hug and told me he was sorry, I said "It's OK, Paw (his grandpa) does it all the time".

Life is like a path of snow,

where you walk, your steps will show. That is one of my favorite quotes and I'm sorry I don't remember where I got it from, but I have carried it for 20 years.

I thought of it again yesterday morning. One of the dogs dropped a tennis ball in my garden and a rabbit had a few foot prints to it; probably thinking it was an apple.

SO I threw an apple out for him yesterday and again last night. The apples are gone and there are a million footprints and a half of million rabbit poops! Well, at least the garden is fenced off a bit so the dog can not get at the rabbit poops, but I am sure hoping for a little snow for the first time in my life!

Thursday Mish Mash

Ivanhoe From Ohio with Love thought that I may do this meme. She was right ;o) I think she knows I love these things!

So here goes:

1. Five names you go by: Kat, MOM, Katherine, Katey and Mrs. M.

2. Three things you are wearing right now: sweats, t-shirt and vest.

3. Two things you want very badly at the moment: sunny beach & ocean (I agree, so I'll keep this one!)

4. Three people who will probably fill this out or maybe will or maybe won’t: hopefully one of my readers, 'cause I'm taking this from Ivanhoe and she already called Amber.

5. Two things you did last night: baked bread and cookies, then dinner

6. Two things you ate today: cookie one and cookie two

7. Two people you last talked to on the phone: my mom and my friend Mona

8. Two things you are going to do tomorrow: go to work, a mass mailing

9. Two longest car rides: Milwaukee to Memphis (13 hours) and New York to Atlanta - I don't remember the time. I did all the driving for both.

10. Two of your favorite beverages: coffee and tea.

Go ahead and do this one. It's all about you and it's fun :o)


The rules for this tag are:1.) Copy the badge and put it on your blog
2.) Link back who pass you this tag
3.) Spread this tag to at least 7 or more bloggers who you think you are friend with.
How about I pass this award on to all of you top ten entrecard droppers and top ten commentors in my side bar widgets? You must be my friends coming to see me every day, right? A big thank you, guys & gals!
Last thing on my mind for today is the black box in my side bar. I added this widget about a week ago. Did you try it yet? Just click on the word "decide" and it will take you to few choices. Keep clicking on the choices that you prefer and you will end your journey at a mystery blog. Go on, try it. It's a fun way to meet new bloggers that took the same choices as you did. You can even ad your two choices and your blog url if you want to.

Letters

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of days, and am now inspired by a post at But Why Mommy.

When I was younger, my grandparents lived in California for many, many years. My grandmother always said, "write me a letter and I will write you back" or "Don't forget to write me a letter".

I always did.

My grandfather died and ten years later, my grandmother. When we were going through her belongings; stacks of letters were found from all six grand-daughters in a cupboard. We all had a bonding moment, sadly our last, reading the letters and finding one of someones in our piles. We had a blast trading them all.

The other day, I found one of those letters I had written and thought I would share. I was 15 at the time. I'm including all the typos!

Aug. 10, 1982

Dear Papa and Nana,

Hi How are you .Did you see the show Monday ? It was called Filthy Rich. It is really Good. I hope they make a
regular series of it . Are you still watch-ing Faclon Crest?
I love that show sooooooooooo ( ect... ) much.!!!!! !!!!!!!!
Did you see it last Friday? It was really good.I can't wait untill they start the series over. Are you still interested
in Dallas? I personally do no like the show anymore. It hardly ever changes . The same people do the same things ever show. There is hardly any variety of the show.

P apa how is your golf coming along? Did you like my idea about you trying to teach me again? I hope so .

As you seee We finally go the typewriter fixed. How is my typing? Is it getter better. I agree. It needs a little work.

When is your Plane coming in. I know on August 23, but, could I have the times, and the flight number?!!!!!!!!

Well, I better go , it is getting late and I have to get to bed. Good - Night and sleep tight and dont let the bed bugs bite.

Your loving granddaughter,

P.S. I hope you like the Alligator? Know you can be "preppy".


ROTFLMAO, I totally remember finding this cloth type alligator sticker and sending it and typing on our electric typewriter and trying to make corrections with the correction tape. HA HA and sometimes you were barely touch the keys and they would hit the page.

What memories! Memories I would not have had, if I didn't find the letter.

Did anyone else have "The Preppy HandBook?". My "preppy name" was Kikki, what was yours?

Recession

So we are officially in a recession... Notice anything about this email?

from
CNN Breaking News
Dec 1, 2008 at 11:24 AM
subjectCNN Breaking

-- The U.S. entered a recession in December 2007, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Wordless Wednesday

A B C D E F G.....

I stealthily stole this meme from the Sassy Irish Lassie - Kat who originally shamelessly stole it from Decisionally Challenged. I mean, what is a meme if you don't have to secretly hijack it right? What?? That is not how a meme works? Darn!! I have been doing it wrong all along. Oh well!

A is for age: I am 42 years young. :)

B is for burger of choice: Mmmm Cheeseburger! The works 'ya know, mayo, pickles are a must... ketchup, mustard, - you know the works!

C is for the car I drive: a 2001 Volvo V70 Wagon.

D is for your dog's name: Seamus.... and of course my step-daughter the Meg dog.

E is for essential item you use every day: Coffee maker and tooth brush. - (I'm going to steel this one too)

F is for favorite TV show at the moment: hummm, just one?? OK, Dancing with the Stars.

G is for favorite game: Tennis anyone?

H is for home state: Wisconsin

I is for instruments you play: I CAN play the piano, but do I is the question.

J is for favorite juice: I'm not really a juice person.

K is for whose bum you'd like to kick: no one at the minute, but I'm sure my newly hormonal kid will be on my list soon.

L is for last restaurant at which you ate: I can't actually recall.

M is for your favorite Muppet: Grover hands down!


N is for number of piercings: 5 and they are all in my ears.

O is for overnight hospital stays: Well thanks to out patient surgery, not that many... two for actual situations that were a couple of days to a week each.

P is for people you were with today: WAY to many... I went to the Snow Board Club meeting tonight. (and why do parents have to try and change the rules???)

Q is for what you do with your quiet time: why blog of coarse

R is for biggest regret: moving back to Wisconsin?


S is for status: Happily married to Hubby.


T is for time you woke up today: 6:10 and my husband was shaking me and I didn't even hit him.


U is for what you consider unique about yourself: I'm a thinker and a helper. I also do not take help from people very easily.


V is for vegetable you love: Corn on the cob.

W is for worst habit: ooh, that's a secret I'm not sharing... sorry.

X is for x-rays you've had: MRI's, Dental, and many when I broke my femur and there was so much bleeding they didn't know I had broken my femur.

Y is for yummy food you ate today: It was a run and go day... what can I say.

Z is for zodiac: Leo the Lion and if you know me, you'll agree.

Be sure to let me know if you steal this meme play along! I would love to read your answers.

Photo Hunt

Photohunt #139's theme is Metal. These photos were taken at the local BUG FEST this June.

The best reaction, is not reaction

I am serious! So WHY are we repeating Al-Qaeda's demeaning racial term? Really, you are just enforcing their poor behaviour so STOP IT will you!

I remember

My son's prinicpal asked what I remembered about middle school. Here is what I remember about my middle school years.

Everyone doing cheer leading in 6th grade, then the 5 "girls" continued on while the rest of us did volleyball, basketball and baseball. Who would want to be a cheerleader anyway?

playing keep away - tackle football girls against the boys. Whoever touched the wall at the end of recess won. If we were lucky, John Heckle played on our side and didn't switch back to the boys at the end of recess.

building forts in the trailer for the newspaper drive.

at the church picnic we ran out of soda for the soda fight and switched to beer. I remember my dad getting mad that I was all covered in goo and couldn't ride home in the car, I had to walk.

playing tag in the church while the parents were at the spaghetti social in the basement.

going off with my friend Lisa and her two dogs for the day pretending we were lost in a jungle and we were plane crash survivors. We of coarse had packed a lunch.

days and weeks of monopoly games and as soon as we were finished we would pack up and move to the next persons house only to start again.

sleepovers and watching Channel 6's the late show and then the late late show - they were always scary movies. I also remember the national anthem being played when TV went off for the night.

swimming - as most of us had pools.

going to Stonewood Village and "shopping". I remember buying my mom a rose with a card that said with deepest sympathies because she got mad that I called home "collect" thinking it was a free call and I saved her a quarter.

rollerskating on Friday nights and thinking it was "weird" that certain kids skated during couples time - holding hands.

my friend Ross asking me to "go with him" and I said "go where" and then he clarified and I said "Why would we do that?". (I was on the phone in the closet too. That's where I did all my talking on the phone) We weren't friends anymore after that.

I remember playing kick the can and "jail" at night, camping in tents and playing cards all night long. I remember the neighbor boys sneaking up to scare us, but they didn't.

Bonnie Bell lipsticks, wearing my mom's high heeled boots to a party and trying to convince our mom's to take us to see the movie GREASE. It was rated R back then. We all went and no one got pregnant until we were married.

I remember cupcake day. 15 cents each, and two for a quarter. I remember the cupcake fights too... I did say we were tom boys?

I'm sure I can go on forever. :)

USS Freedom

Yesterday, the USS Freedom was commissioned in Milwaukee. We haven't had that since World War II. The commissioning is when the ship is officially put on watch. Someone asked me how we obtained tickets. I said I "knew someone". LOL My scout! Thank you to my scout for the opportunity to take part in such a special event!

God Bless America and the USS Freedom.

Thank you for picking Milwaukee.

Nightmare

Yesterday my friend called on her way hom from work that she didn''t know where to vote. This said friend, I got to register at her current residence and she has yet to vote. SO I said I would inquire for her, when I took my son back to the location I voted at, for a scout meeting. I truly was excited she wanted to vote. I walked in with a huge smile on my face and this lady who wasn't exactly pleasant when I was there to vote, says to me BEFORE I even opened my mouth - that I could not vote twice.

I took a huge offense to that and looked crushed. I asked someone else for help and this lady says she had to vote here. An older man comes by with a map and we looked it up. My friend had to vote at a different park, trust me - I quietly let her know. I am so proud my friend voted.

I woke up at 11:15 in a fright tonight. I am sick with a fever, the TV was on and yesterday morning there was a problem with my State Senate election. We still did not know who won. HOW can my vote count? For President that is. How can they call the race at 10 and night and aroun 4 p.m. I finally found out who won my state Senate Race. I feel like my vote didn't count all day and I just woke up in a fright that this lady did not count my vote.

Isn't that bad?