I couldn't decide which picture to use, so I'm using all three. I hope all you bloggers have a safe New Years Eve. If you're going to a party, please have a designated driver or a cab take you home. I'd like all of you to start off 2009 the right way.

I'm staying home tonight, but I did buy a bottle of champagne all for myself. I should be good and plastered by midnight!

I love using the special champagne glass my aunt gave me in 2000/2001 when we went on a trip together to The Galapagos Islands. We spent the night celebrating New Years Eve in a traditional Ecuadorian fashion.

The traditions in Ecuador are very similar to those in other South American countries. First, a life-size dummy is made to represent the "old" year. Then a man dresses up as a woman to represent the "new" year. She then takes the dummy it. In many neighborhoods they make piles of them and burn them like bonfires. I really wish I had written down everything we did that night, so I would remember it. As wonderful as the internet is, I can only find information on the burning dummies. But I will look fondly back on that night, as I sip champagne from my special glass. (Also, if you click on the third picture, the words Happy New Year are glittery.)

My Wish For You In 2009

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address!

2008 is the wettest year on record with over 50 inches of precipitation in Chicago.

Yes, my parking lot and street are flooded again. This is not deja vu from September. On the left side, just beyond the white pickup truck is my car, which I can't get to. If the water doesn't go down today, I may not be able to get to work tomorrow.

My street is closed. People are still going around the barricades and risking damage to their cars. The city even put an OCHA on guard to take down license plates.

What's left of my street. The water is just at the edge of the curb, but the sidewalk is coated with ice from where the water was last night.

Temperatures got down below freezing last night, here are sheets of ice that broke free from people trying to drive through the water. If I see any polar bears, I'll know the Arctic Circle has moved south to Chicago.

This is the golf course, or what used to be the golf course. Now it's part of the lake.

As you can see, not all the snow is gone, but where there should be grass is a LOT of water. Very cold water. I really hope we get less precipitation in 2009.

Warning, some post-holiday cartoons. If you have small children around or are easily offended by bad words, do not scroll down and read these.

Tori: This picture is of a guy standing on a table next to a punch bowl at his company's Christmas Party. He's singing a song, everyone else has their cups of punch up in celebration. Harvey is singing, "Well, conditions at work are frightful, and the boss is not delightful, and someday we'll all be let go, this job blows! this job blows! this job blows!" Below that is a caption that reads: Harvey's bitter, drunken version of "Let It Snow" brought down the house at what turned out to be his last office Christmas party.

Tori: This is a picture of Santa in his sleigh, with one of the reindeer on his hind legs, saying to Santa, "Ooh that felt so good, whip me, whip me harder, pull my reins hard you fat bastard!"

Tori: This is a picture of a snowman and a dog, the snowman is mad because the dog just peed on him. He's yelling at the dog, "You son of a bitch! If I had legs, I'd kick your ass!"

Tori: This is a picture of Santa in his sleigh, and the reindeer all have diarrhea, which is being blown into Santa's face. Santa is thinking "Shit! That's the last time we stop for Mexican food!"

I hope everyone had a very nice Christmas. Mine was wonderful, but I was exhausted when it was over with. I barely had the energy to bring my presents inside from my car, lol. Of course, the ice on all the sidewalks didn't help much either.

So what did you all get for Christmas? Did you get what you wanted? What surprise gifts did you get? Did you get anything that you don't like?

I got a new microwave. My old one is about (pauses to calculate the years) 20 years old, so I figured it was time for a new one. That was my one big present. I got some pajamas that I had picked out last year that my aunt forgot to give to me. I got a couple books, one on the American Civil War, and another about how to attract birds to your feeders. I got paper towels and toilet paper. Now, I know what you're thinking! Paper towels and toilet paper for Christmas??????

For Christmas, in addition to our "wants" we also give some of the "needs" like toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc. Not a lot but something to help out through the year. To me, that is much better than getting a bunch of stuff that I'll never use or will just sit around collecting dust.

Another thing I asked for was a white turtleneck. I wear turtlenecks quite often in the winter, the one I currently have has been worn and washed a lot, so felt a new one was something useful. Among the pajamas was a Christmas turtleneck with (I think) Christmas trees on it. I haven't unpacked all my presents yet, I was too exhausted last night, and I haven't been home long tonight. I'll get everything put away this weekend.

Last but not least, Santa was especially nice to me this year, giving me LOTS of chocolate, and various toiletries that again will come in very handy. Things like body wash, a poof, toothpaste, and shaving lotion. Hey, I gotta keep clean!

I'm sure there are other things I don't remember, but I'll remember when I pull them out of the bag to put away. I'm just glad the madness is over, and I can get back on my normal schedule.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year!

Merry Christmas to all!

I've been very busy the last few days, barely keeping up with everyone's blogs, and no time to do any of my own posts. Tonight I've been scrambling to wrap the last of the presents, and pack for the trip tonight to my aunt's house. Normally I head over Christmas Eve afternoon, but she has a doctor's appt tomorrow morning, and with this current snowstorm, I'd rather drive out there tonight than tomorrow morning.

To add misery to this already dreadful month of December, the apartment below me had a pipe burst yesterday from the cold temperatures. When I got home last evening, the water had been shut off to our building. By 11:30PM it was not back on yet, and I had no idea exactly when it would be. Since I had to go to work today (I was one of only two people there in our dept due to vacations) I couldn't just stay home. I threw some clothes together, my toiletries, and drove out to my aunt's house to sleep there. Hey! It was cheaper than a motel! I found out tonight the water was back on about 3AM, but I had no way of knowing that last night, and the maintenance guys weren't answering their pages.

I also was concerned that the heat in my spare bedroom, where this computer is, was not working. Despite having the heat turned WAY up, the room had dropped to 60F. Brrrrrrrrr. With all the frozen pipes, bursting pipes, and complete lack of heat, I was willing to be patient with this bedroom heat. Somehow I think it fixed itself though, because I came home tonight and the room was about 80F, lmao.

Maintenance and/or a plumber was also here, apparently they needed to access one of the pipes through my bathroom wall. The damage isn't as bad as last year or the year before, fortunately. And it wasn't MY pipe that burst this time. For those not familiar with my trials and tribulations, check HERE for my 2008 story and HERE for my 2007 story.

Hopefully I can get caught up on all the blogs after Christmas.

To all my bloggy friends, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas! Be safe wherever you are, and don't forget the reason for the season!

I've come to the conclusion that I could never be a web designer, or any other job that requires you to work in HTML. I REALLY REALLY REALLY don't like HTML. It does what IT wants to do, spaces things, moves text around, makes a mess of what I was trying to make into a nice pretty post with pictures and stuff. Instead all I have is a mess and aggravation which I don't need a week before Christmas. So you're not going to see any post from me with all the pretty Christmas Trees from around the world. Blame HTML, not me.

And now, in honor of our distinguished Governor, Rod Blagojevich (under threat of impeachment and possible conviction on corruption charges):



To the tune of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"

Get packing, Rod Blagojevich
The state's in disarray
The Tribune wants you unemployed
At least by Christmas Day.
The TV pundits want your head
Could there be pay to play?
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good riddance Rod Blagojevich
Your Elvis look's inane,
The Senate's mad, so's Lisa's dad.
You drive us all insane.
Our transit's broke, the state's a joke,
The Tollway's one big pain.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good luck old Rod Blagojevich
The feds have quite a place.
Fitzgerald's poked his nose around
And if he has a case,
George Ryan's moving stuff around
Creating extra space.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.


For those not familiar with some of the references listed, I'll explain. The Tribune is The Chicago Tribune which the Gov tried to get an Editorialist fired because he wasn't supportive of the Gov. Lisa's dad is Michael Madigan, the Speaker (Leader) of the Illinois State House of Representatives. Lisa is the Attorney General for the State. Fitzgerald is Patrick Fitgerald, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Northern Illinois, part of the Department of Justice. George Ryan was our previous Governor, who was convicted of racketeering, bribery, extortion, money laundering and tax fraud.

If a fat guy grabs you and puts you in a bag, don't worry. I told Santa I wanted a good friend for Christmas.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Anyone for a three hour tour?

I got mine tonight, coming home from work. I left work at 4pm, and arrived home at 7pm. The first 45 minutes was spent trying to get onto the tollway to head South. Then another 45 minutes was spent getting to the next tollway to head West.

At that point, I pulled over onto the shoulder because my windshield wipers were so crusted with ice, I couldn't see anymore. 30 minutes later I had to pull over AGAIN to get the ice off so I could see.

Another 30 minutes to get to my exit, and 30 minutes to actually exit off the tollway.

Average speed? About five miles per hour. All for 2 FREAKIN' INCHES OF SNOW! What will things be like if we get a REAL snowstorm??? Not one single street had been plowed. We were just following in the tire tracks of the car in front of us and praying we could stop when we needed to.

I'm half considering taking a "snow" day tomorrow, since I still have 1-1/2 vacation days left this year.

Is it Spring yet?

How could anyone not believe this wonderful email I received today!


Dearest in the Lord.

Greetings in the name of God I am Mrs. Regina Robert, a widow to Late Anthony Robert who was a wealthy business man before his sudden death. May his Soul Rest in Perfect Peace Amen? I am 68 years old and new Christian convert, suffering from long time cancer of the breast. From all indications, my condition is really deteriorating and it is quite obvious that I will not leave more than six months according to my doctor, because the sickness is now at the critical stage.

My husband was killed by the rebels in Northern part of Ivory Coast during the political crises, and during the period of our marriage we couldn’t produce any child. After the funeral of my beloved husband, his entire family pushed me out from my matrimonial home and confiscated all my husband’s properties and bank accounts. The only inheritance I have from my husband now is a deposit $3,200.000.00 American dollars which he made in a bank which none of the family members knows nothing about it. Since my life on this earth will not be long and no child to inherit this fund, I decided to donate it to the kingdom of God for the survival of widows, orphans and street children in your country. I know that you will say why me after reading this message but I want you to understanding that contacting you in this donation fund is not by my power as you can see that none of us have see each other before, rather contacting you is a divine direction from God that knows the heart of all human beings that he created.

Our good God has remember you in his blessing house for being faithful and obedience in worshiping his name and understand that the blessings of God does not count on religions rather on your faithfulness to his commandments and I don’t want you to bring apply fears in this call from God because when fear controls your life, it will reduce the ability of God in you.

My dear, I want you to spend some time in communicating with our God, seek for his face and ask him questions because he is your father. Remember that the Holy Scripture has made us to understand that every obedient child has legal authority to his father, so you have the chance to ask our God questions concerning this notice from your sister Regina Robert whom you have never see before, I strongly believe that our good God will give you a clear revolutions over this service he has appointed you to handle for the survival of helpless once around you. God said, I will strengthen and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). Fear not because our good God is on your side and will provide every material things for you in this service.

I will be looking forward to hear back from you so as to confirm your acceptance to work for our living Almighty. God bless you. Yours beloved sister in Christ,

Mother. Regina Robert

I read LadyStyx's and Punkn's posts about being busy, and it seems to fit all of our lives these days.

Tomorrow night after work is our "holiday party." Our company has a zero tolerance for DUI, so if we want to drink we have to either have a room at the hotel, or have a cab ride home, or have a designated driver. And the company is re-imbursing us for the hotel room. The hotel is four blocks away from our office, and I live 25 miles away, so it doesn't make sense for me to leave work at 3, drive home, change, then drive all the way back to work, then all the way home after the party (provided I don't drink).

So I'm getting a hotel room and changing there for the party, and all I have to do is go up the elevator to my room. (Hopefully I'll remember the trip up this year.) After I check out on Saturday, I am coming home, changing, packing more clothes, and spending the night at my aunt's house, dog watching. My aunt is having surgery tomorrow, and with her son working long hours, someone needs to be there to feed and let out the dog. I volunteered. I gave up getting together with a couple friends for this, lol. I won't be home until Sunday evening, I'm going to try to get some shopping done while I'm out there. I might work on my Christmas letter while I'm there. I hate my aunt's computer, so I'll probably hand write it out, then it will be easy to type up when I'm home.

So basically, I won't be around all weekend! Between work, shopping for Christmas presents, and trying to wrap presents, my blog posts might be kind of sporadic. But once the craziness that is Christmas calms down, I'll settle back into my old routine again. I'll be behind on reading blogs this weekend, but will try to get caught up next week. Maybe. I think.

On Sunday November 23, 2008 Heaven got another Angel:

Katherine "Katie" Kaselau

Born February 13, 1906, she lived a long and fulfilling life. She survived an abusive husband, raised her kids right, and my sister had the fortune of marrying her wonderful son Robert.

The first time I remember meeting Katherine was in Colorado Springs for my niece's graduation from the Air Force Academy. Katherine, my niece, Tina, and myself were sharing a hotel room the night before the ceremony. Katherine in one bed, Tina and I in the other (Tina and I are more like cousins since she's 1-1/2 years younger than me). Katherine was either complaining about the temperature, or she was snoring and keeping us awake. Katherine, in typical fashion, laughed at us and said we were the ones making all the noise. We complained so much to her, that she went next door and slept with her son and daughter in law (Tina's mom) and that night has become a conversation piece. Everyone laughs about it, but it was exactly the approach Katherine took to everything.

When I would go to California to visit my sister, we ALWAYS had to go see Katherine. One of the first things she'd ask me was "How's Mayor Daley?" She was referring to the first Mayor Daley, not the son, the current Mayor Daley. I'd have to tell her he's not the mayor anymore, she'd say "good" and then I'd tell her his son is the Mayor, and she'd gasp like she was shocked and dismayed. I think I had a permanent smile on my face when I was around her.

She saw the humor in everything. Years later, as her memory was failing her, and she didn't remember people or things as well, her son made her a set of "flash cards." There were regular questions she'd ask every time he'd go visit her. Such as...Where's my husband? The answer is "he's dead." She'd reply with oh that's nice. LOL Another was...Where's my money? The answer...in the bank. Question: What about my house? Answer: We sold it.

Nothing earth shattering, just regular things about her life that she couldn't remember. So after answering these questions every time he came over, the same questions time after time after time, he made the flashcards. One side had the question, the other had the answer. When she'd ask him a question, he'd pull out the card, tell her to read it, she'd read the question, flip it over and read the answer herself. I think it was quite ingenious.

She never minded the senility. Even though she was always apologizing about asking questions with answers she knew she should know, I never gave a second thought to answering her. I hope I have her outlook on life when I'm 102. On second thought, I don't think I want to live that long!

R.I.P. You will be missed.

I debated whether I would blog about this or not. I just read a new version of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas on a friend's blog. I won't post it here, but you can either google the words "twas the month before christmas" or go here and see one of the several sites I saw with it posted.

In many of our numbered states, at the Capital buildings, alongside "Holiday" trees or Nativity displays is another display from the athiests. Now, I'm all for the freedom of speech. I acknowledge that pagans have been celebrating the Winter Solstice for many many many years, and they have a right to believe what they want. Just as Christians have a right to believe what they want.

This is the display put up in the Capital building here in Illinois. Similar ones are in Washington state, Wisconsin and others. My only issue with this, is that the athiests are asking for tolerance of their beliefs, but are not allowing for tolerance of the Christian belief. To me, this message is very negative. Religion hardens hearts? It enslaves minds?

Do the Christian displays of Christmas trees and nativities impart negative emotions to non-believers?

Before I found God, I only experienced the secular side of Christmas. I sang songs about Christmas, Jesus and Mary, even though they had no meaning to me.

Why couldn't the message have been more positive, about the celebrations held as part of the Winter Solstice, instead of being an attack ad meant to criticize Christians for feeling and believing what they do? Instead of inviting tolerance for others, all this does is inflame emotions at this important time of year, whether you be Christian or pagan.

I just don't get people sometimes.

Lessons On Life

There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in Winter, the second in Spring, the third in Summer, and the youngest in Autumn.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said, "No, it was covered with green buds and full of promise."

The third son disagreed. He said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he'd ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them. He said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The father then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.

He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it's Winter, you will miss the promise of your Spring, the beauty of your Summer, fulfillment of your Harvest time.

The moral of this story?

Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.
Happines keeps you sweet, trials keep you strong, sorrows keep you human, failures keep you humble, success keeps you glowing, but only God keeps you going.

More Fun Quizzes at QuizPox.com

I think Winter has unofficially arrived:

Tonight...Windy...snow. Areas of blowing snow. Snow accumulation ranging from 3 to 5 inches west and north of the city to 1 to 3 inches city and south. Lows in the upper 20s. North winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph at times. Chance of precipitation 90 percent.

Monday...Windy...cloudy. Areas of blowing snow in the morning. Snow in the morning...then a chance of light snow showers and flurries in the afternoon. Snow accumulation up to 1 inch. Total snow accumulation 4 to 6 inches west and north and 2 to 4 inches south. Highs in the lower 30s. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 35 mph at times. Chance of measurable precipitation 80 percent.

New contest at Sunshine & Lemonade!

Kat has another awesome contest, this one is definitely worth trying for. There's chocolate involved!

First, the winner receives Betty Crocker Warm Delights (I think you get six to go with the six books listed below).

Also part of your winnings are hardback books of the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums of Autumn, The Fiery Cross, and the Outlandish Companion.

Go on over to Kat's blog to see the prizes and follow her directions for up to three chances to win these awesome prizes!

You Are an Ingrid!

You are an Ingrid -- "I am unique"

Ingrids have sensitive feelings and are warm and perceptive.


How to Get Along with Me

* Give me plenty of compliments. They mean a lot to me.
* Be a supportive friend or partner. Help me to learn to love and value myself.
* Respect me for my special gifts of intuition and vision.
* Though I don't always want to be cheered up when I'm feeling melancholy, I sometimes like to have someone lighten me up a little.
* Don't tell me I'm too sensitive or that I'm overreacting!


What I Like About Being an Ingrid

* my ability to find meaning in life and to experience feeling at a deep level
* my ability to establish warm connections with people
* admiring what is noble, truthful, and beautiful in life
* my creativity, intuition, and sense of humor
* being unique and being seen as unique by others
* having aesthetic sensibilities
* being able to easily pick up the feelings of people around me


What's Hard About Being an Ingrid

* experiencing dark moods of emptiness and despair
* feelings of self-hatred and shame; believing I don't deserve to be loved
* feeling guilty when I disappoint people
* feeling hurt or attacked when someone misundertands me
* expecting too much from myself and life
* fearing being abandoned
* obsessing over resentments
* longing for what I don't have


Ingrids as Children Often

* have active imaginations: play creatively alone or organize playmates in original games
* are very sensitive
* feel that they don't fit in
* believe they are missing something that other people have
* attach themselves to idealized teachers, heroes, artists, etc.
* become antiauthoritarian or rebellious when criticized or not understood
* feel lonely or abandoned (perhaps as a result of a death or their parents' divorce)


Ingrids as Parents

* help their children become who they really are
* support their children's creativity and originality
* are good at helping their children get in touch with their feelings
* are sometimes overly critical or overly protective
* are usually very good with children if not too self-absorbed

For the most part, this was pretty accurate. I'm amazed. I see a lot of myself in this result. If you're interested in trying this, take the Are You A Jackie Or A Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-Era Female Icon Quiz.

Gimme a B(eat)! Ok that was lame, but I needed something sort of orginal...

Wife Of Riley played the List of Favorite Things Starting With the Letter... and after reading both hers and Kat's at Sunshine and Lemonade, I decided to play too.

Here is my carefully thought out and researched list of my 10 favorite things starting with the letter B.

1. Books - I love to read. Below are all my romance novels yet to be read, accumulated over many years. In between I read other more intellectually stimulating books about American History.

2. Blogger - I have met so many nice people who write such interesting and funny things, and I have gotten to know a lot better some people who I already had started to know from other places. Thanks to all of you, I am guaranteed at least one laugh every day.


3. Baseball - Specifically, The Chicago Cubs, who WILL win a World Series again in my lifetime. Even if I have to bring a goat and black cat in to every game!


4. Best Friends - I have some very special friends in my real life, that I wouldn't want to trade for anything else.


5. Birdseed - I love to feed the birds outside, watching the Cardinals, Chickadees, Sparrows, Red-Winged Blackbirds, and Doves hang out while they feast on corn, millet and sunflower seeds. And of course, all that spilled seed attracts Charlie, my squirrely friend.


6. Bubble Baths - I love taking bubble baths. If only bathtubs were made just a tad bit longer so I could immerse my entire body in those bubbles, instead of only half of me at one time.


7. The Bible - I'm not overly religious, I have never gone to church on a regular basis, but I do believe in God, I believe in what the Bible says, and I think it's an important part of understanding not only world history, but human history. There is so much to learn from reading the Bible. And one of these days I will be able to say I've read the entire book.


8. Breakfast - It's my favorite meal. I love the gooey eggs my aunt makes for me. Melting Velveeta cheese in my scrambled eggs. With a side of sausage and an English Muffin.


9. Bottles of wine - I love my wine. I'm no connoisseur, but having a glass (or two or three) of wine when I come home from work is a nice way to relax. I'm not picky, I like both red and white. Although my absolute favorite is Fume Blanc.


10. Bratwurst - Mmmmm, paying homage to my German heritage, I love me some bratwurst, in the wurst way! Sometimes I'll have them with sauerkraut, sometimes plain. If I had someone to go to Oktoberfest with, I'd be really happy!


So there you have it, my top ten favorite things starting with the letter B. If you'd like to play, leave a comment on Wife Of Riley's blog and she'll give you a randomly chosen letter. Or maybe it's not randomly chosen. Who knows! But it's still fun. Go ahead, I know you want to!

More and more awards! At this rate, I'll need to set up a separate page for them. They're taking over!

I haven't had time the last few days to get these posted, and I swore there was one other that I can't seem to find now (I'm really not modest at all). So if by chance there's one that I'm missing (honestly, is anyone going to notice? LOL) I apologize, I looked long and hard for it.

This is from Baby Roca's Momma over at Last Shreds Of Sanity. Thank you so much!

I'm supposed to pass this on to 10 bloggers, but by now several of them have also received this award. If you like this, take it. If you want it later, it will be over on my sidebar and free for whomever wants it.

The second award is from Dorkys Ramos from Dry As Toast. Thank YOU so much!

My blogging has been encouraged by the likes of:

IntenseGuy

Ladystyx

Punkn

Wife Of Riley

Alice Kay (private blog)

Each of them, in their own way, has encouraged me with my blogging; whether it's appreciating nature and finding fun and educational ways to blog about it, or finding new ways to look at ordinary things (and blogging about them), or seeing humor in your life (and blogging about it).

Then there's the frustration of blogging, of having it double space everything, and switching over to the Edit Html tab to remove all the code that's causing it, only to have it put it back in there again. And the frustration of having a computer with not enough RAM (will be fixed tomorrow, my own version of Black Friday) that requires over 30 minutes to do a post that should have taken 15 tops.

Despite ALL that...I still am encouraged to blog about anything and everything. Whether it's the weather, or turkey testicles. And you all put up with it. Without you, this would still be the most boringest (is that a word?) blog in the blogosphere, and I might have given up on it.

Thank you, one and all. Now I'm off to finish the book I started the other night. A trashy romance novel. They've had sex twice now, and there's only about two chapters left for me to see how they adjust their lives to be together. I live vicariously through my romance novels, lol.

Keep an eye out right here for my Christmas decorations. I still have my template from last year, and boring ole me will be using the same one. SO much easier than trying to find a new one to use. Have a great weekend!

I've been waiting all month to post this!

The place: Huntley, Illinois
The date: November 26 11:00AM - ? (Ok, so we missed out this year)

Huntley's (26th Annual) Turkey Testicle Festival is Parkside Pub's biggest party of the year!

It's a great night as you don't have to bring a dish to pass or talk to relatives. If you have never tried a turkey testicle, this is your chance! No need to worry about the weather, the festival is held under one huge heated tent, with plenty of Purple Potties available. The bar is open but the number of people allowed inside at any one time is limited, as it can become pretty packed. There will also be hats, shirts and sweatshirts for sale to remember the night.

"SO GRAB A FRIEND THAT'S NEVER BEEN, ENJOY A COLD BREW, GREAT MUSIC, AND HOT NUTS!"

-from the Huntley Blog

And apparently, this isn't the only one! There's another one in Byron, Illinois (boy do we love our turkey testicles!) and one in Ft. Myers, Florida. The Byron festival is held in October when the turkeys are castrated to plump them for the Thanksgiving holiday. Ft. Myers just had theirs on November 22 at The Surf Club.

The following was included as part of an email sent to me about Riverview Park, an amusement park in Chicago opened in 1904, closed in 1967.

Some of them are really interesting, and you wouldn't need to live here your entire life, or in the city limits to know them. Others however, if you're a transplant, like myself, you never pick up.

You might be from Chicago if:

- The "living room" is called the "front room".
- You don't pronounce the "s" at the end of Illinois. And you become irate at people who do.
- You measure distance in minutes (especially "from the city"). And you swear everything is pretty much 1/2 hour away.
- You have no problem spelling or pronouncing "Des Plaines".
- You go to visit friends or family down south, and laugh when they complain about the traffic.
- You understand that no person from Chicago can be a Cubs fan AND a White Sox fan.
- It's "kitty corner" not "katty corner".
- You know the difference between the Loop and Downtown.
- You eat your pizza in squares, not triangles, and you never refer to it as "pie".
- You own celery salt.
- You understand the primary is the official local election.
- You have drunk green beer on St. Paddy's Day.
- Stores don't have sacks, they have bags.
- You end your sentence with an unnecessary preposition. Example: Where's my coat at? Can I go with?
- Your idea of a great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun, "everything" is on it, and a slice of dill pickle is on the side.
- You carry jumper cables in your car.
- You drink "pop".
- You understand that I-290, I-90, I-94 and I-294 are all different roads.
- You know the names of the interstates: Stevenson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, Dan Ryan, and the Edens.
- You call the interstates expressways or tollways.
- You refer to anything south of I-80 as Southern or Central Illinois.
- You refer to Lake Michigan as "The Lake".
- You refer to Chicago as "The City".
- "The Super Bowl" refers to one specific game in January 1986.
- You have two favorite football teams: The Bears, and anyone who beats The Packers.
- You buy the "Trib" (not the Tribune) or the "Times" (not the Sun-Times).
- You know that despite being on the lake, there is no such place as the waterfront.
- You think 45 degrees is great weather to wash your car.
- You picnic or ride your bike in the "forest preserve".
- You cried when Bozo was cancelled on WGN.

There are more...keep reading!

- You know what goes on a Chicago Style hot dog.
- You know what Chicago Style pizza REALLY is.
- You know why they call Chicago "The Windy City".
- You understand what "lake effect" means.
- You understand the difference between Amtrak and Metra, and know which station they end up at.
- You have ridden "The L".
- You think your next door neighbor is a cousin to Tony Soprano.
- You can distinguish between the following area codes: 847, 630, 773, 708, 312, & 815.
- You have, at some time in your life, used furniture...or a friend's body, to guard your parking spot in winter.
- You respond to the question "Where are you from?" with a "side". Example: "Westside", "Southside", "Northside".
- You know the phone number to Empire Carpet.
- You know what a "garach e key" is.

May your stuffing be tasty,

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious,

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

A Turkey Day joke:

A game warden was driving down the road when he came upon a young boy carrying a wild turkey under his arm. He stopped and asked the boy, "Where did you get that turkey?"

The boy replied, "What turkey?"

The game warden replied, "That turkey you're carrying under your arm."

The boy looked down and said, "Well lookee here, a turkey done roosted under my arm!"

The game warden said, "Now look, you know turkey season is closed, so whatever you do to that turkey, I'm going to do to you. If you break his leg, I'm gonna break your leg. If you break his wing, I'll break your arm. Whatever you do to him, I'll do to you. So, what are you gonna do with him?"

The little boy said, "I guess I'll just kiss his ass and let him go!"

You know those emails that get passed around every winter, about the "great snowball fight of (current year)? Well...I got my first one for this season. I never pass them on, but this year's had a cute little picture, it's a .gif file, so I believe if you click on it to open it in a new window, you'll see the child patting the snowball and the dog wagging it's tail.

It has a poem with it, which I'll re-type for Tori.

I made myself a snowball,

As perfect as could be,

I thought I'd keep it as a pet,

And let it sleep with me.

I made it some pajamas,

And a pillow for its head,

Then last night it ran away,

But first - it wet the bed.

When I saw that poem, it reminded me of the story Tori told about making a snowball and keeping it in her freezer. I guess that was a better place than in her bed, lol.

One more post before I go to bed, I swear this is it for tonight! Maybe I'm making up for not posting this past week while I was sick?

Kat over at Sunshine & Lemonade has a contest going on. She's always holding some contest, and giving away awesome stuff! This week it's for an Office Max giftcard, a favicon (a favorites icon, which is like the "e" or "b" in your url bar for your blogger address. I only see an "e" but then using IE takes all the fun out of some stuff), and bidness/mommy cards.

If this sounds interesting to you, go visit Kat's blog, leave a comment, or become a follower (she loves followers) or even post about her contest like I have. You never know, YOU might win!

How awesome that this award just happens to be my 400th blog post thanks to Wife O Riley???

A lot of awards have been floating around, and so many are cute on so many levels, but I have to say this is the prettiest I've received. Thank you so much!

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers! Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award.”

Since I wanted to double-check the translation, that's just the way I am, a doubting Tomasina of anything and everything I'm told, according to freetranslation.com the Portugese on the award means "This blog invests and believes in proximity."

Now comes the hard part. I have to locate eight people, that haven't already received this award, to pass it on to. Decisions, decisions.

Ok, I don't have eight bloggers that I can pass this on to.

*Mumbles to self* If I had just done this last night at 11pm when I first saw it, I could have had eight people, but nooooooo, sleep was more important!

If you're reading this, and haven't already received the award, I herby officially give it to you, because you deserve it! Especially if you have the sanity (or would that be insanity) to sit through some of my posts. If you're a follower or reader of my blog, and I don't see this award posted on your own blog, I will hunt you down! Just kidding. It's yours if you want it. If you don't, I won't lose any sleep over it. But please just keep blogging!

Saturday Sniffles, Swamps, and Sven

Waking up last Saturday with the beginning of a runny nose, I knew the best thing I could all weekend was rest. I spent most of the day, dozing in front of the tv, getting up only to eat or check blogs. Saturday night I caught a movie on Channel 26, WCIU, an independent Chicago station. Swamp Thing!

I had never seen the original movie from 1982, but had loved the 1990-1993 series on USA. Swamp Thing was an adaptation from a comic book series, starring Adrienne Barbeau and Louis Jordan, written and directed by Wes Craven.

Saturday nights on WCIU (The U!) also means it's time for Svengoolie!

Each week, Svengoolie hosts an airing of a (usually) classic cult horror show. Below is a brief description of his show:

Chicago's long-time King of Horror Flicks - Svengoolie -- opens his coffin for another frightful feature film! Along with musical sidekick Doug Graves, the talking skull Tombstone and assorted other nuts and dolts, Svengoolie provides comic relief between segments of the movie, with musical and commercial parodies, skits and jokes. Plus, segments of the movie are often presented in "Svensurround," with Svengoolie adding sound effects and re-dubbed dialogue!

Check out his page on the WCIU website.

You can also check out the whole history of the original Svengoolie, Son of Svengoolie, and the current Svengoolie HERE.

Thank you for all the well wishes. I'm feeling much better now. Unfortunately, I've been trying to get caught up from not reading emails for four days, sorting through my mail from four days, and trying to keep caught up on blogs (omg I have too many to follow), there aren't enough hours in the day left for me to post to my own blog! Ack!!!!!

I had something in mind for a post after Saturday night (cryptic comment left for Wife O Riley) but just have not had the time to snag the pictures I want or to even start the post. Toss in some noisy neighbors that kept me up half the night, and you start to see my problem.

Now, I can't ask everyone to stop posting (omg the blog withdrawal that would sweep the internet) so I just ask you to be patient as I try to get to a place where I have a little time to put my next post together. Thank you all, and happy blogging!

I've been home sick since Friday night, didn't even go to work today.

This cold I got is a doozy! I hope to be back blogging soon. If I can just keep from blowing my nose or sneezing for more than 5 minutes!

*Wipes down everyone's monitors with a disinfectant*

Bang Shang-A-Lang by The Archies

I saw this over on Wife O Riley's blog this morning, and knew this was one I wanted to do myself. Now that I've recovered from IntenseGuy's, Punkn's and LadyStyx's posts, I can work on mine. For those that don't know, I have quite an eclectic collection of music, so who knows what will pop up for me.

1. Put your music on shuffle (iPod/mp3 player, winamp, use what ya got)

2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer

3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS

4. I think we're all not tagging people, we're just having fun with it.


IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OK" YOU SAY?
Pretty Maids All In A Row - Eagles (I guess technically I'm a maid...an old maid)

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
Won't Go Home Without You - Maroon 5 (who likes to go home alone?)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY?
Jamaica Farewell - Harry Belafonte (I need a guy to be able to say goodbye to him)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
I Got Stung - Elvis Presley (I did get stung, by the Rhino virus...I hate colds)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Eyes On Me - Celine Dion (Stop watching me! It makes me nervous!)

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
Vanishing - Maria Carey (Some days I do feel like vanishing, that no one would miss me)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Play Me - Neil Diamond (I can't think of any of my friends that like to be played)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
There Are Such Things - Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (Such things as me thinking? Only when I have to, and my nose isn't dripping)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Goodnight Moon - Jack Ingram (Hmmmm)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Beer or Gasoline - Chris Young (Between the two, I choose beer)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Comin' Home - Eric Clapton (Yeah, I'd like to feel like I "came home")

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
Let's Face the Music and Dance - Diana Krall (I love to dance, don't you?)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Crazy On You - Heart (If they were still here, I don't think they'd believe I was crazy)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Sunset - Rankin Family (too bad this is a breakup song, not exactly what I'd pick for a wedding dance)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Use Me - Hootie and the Blowfish (Maybe my body will be donated to science?)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Look to the Rainbow - Barry Manilow (This would apply to AK, although I do appreciate the prettier things in nature)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
It's Not Over - Jonny Lang (It's not? When did it start? Did I miss something?)

WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Don't Tell Me You Do - Rockapella (Another break up song, I guess the worst could be finding your true love and not having them return your feelings)

HOW WILL YOU DIE?
Go To Hell - Dolly Parton (If that's where I'm headed, I still have a lot of work to do here on Earth before I die. Or I could just hang out with Dean Winchester [;-)])

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
Tell Me More - Michelle Wright (Was I too demanding?)

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
Happy - Natasha Bedingfield (Being happy leads to laughter, right?)

WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
Without You - Air Supply (I would cry if I lost my blogging friends, you're all so wonderful)

WHAT SCARES YOU MOST?
Time - Pink Floyd (Seems we never have enough of it)

DOES ANYONE LOVE YOU?
Shades of Grey - Billy Joel (So does this mean someone sorta loves me? Or that I'm only sorta loveable? Or am I only loved when I'm wearing grey?)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
Take Your Whiskey Home - Van Halen (Yeah, we all should have taken our whiskey home, instead of ummm, where did we take it?)

WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
Don't Waste Your Time - Kelly Clarkson (Not sure what to make of that one)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Bang Shang-A-Lang - Archies

How sad is it when the recipient makes her own award? I think I should be embarassed.

To LadyStyx (maker of said award) and to QueenieJeannie, the Inspiring Comment Award, for inspiring me to get up off my ass and clean my door. Thank goodness LadyStyx didn't go looking for a picture of an ass...

Better?

I don't have an award to hand out, couldn't make one even if I tried, so this will have to do. Instead of an "Inspired Comment" award, I nominate LadyStyx and QueenieJeannie for "Inspiring Comment" awards. They inspired me to take a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser out of the closet and use it on my door. And I didn't just use it on the area by the doorknob and turkey, no I used it on the WHOLE door! So the whole thing is clean. Thank you for inspiring me to get off my ass and do something.

I received an email with a bunch of cartoons about getting old, these were the best of them:

This first one is a circle, divided into segments, smallest segment is eating, then about a fourth of the circle is working, then just over a fourth is sleeping, and the rest, about two-thirds of the circle is Looking for things I had just a minute ago.

An old lady answers the door, and "Death" is there. The conversation goes like this:

Death: Are you Mrs. Edna P. Dawkins?
Lady: Yes.
Death: I am Death.
Lady: That's alright sonny, I'll just talk real loud!
Death drops the sickle that's in his hand, then puts his hand up to his face and says, "This is gonna be a tough one."

Saturday afternoon, after doing a few things around the house, I decided it was time to put my summer door mat away. And since I would be pulling stuff out of the closet to get to where the mat goes, I might as well pull out my Thanksgiving decorations while I was at it. Keep in mind, the summer mat sat on the carpeting by the bed all through Halloween, and the Halloween decorations never made it out of the closet. So for me to bring out the Thanksgiving decorations is a major accomplishment. And it will take me forever to show you all my "turkey day" decorations, so let's get started.

The little turkey that I hang on the inside knob of my apartment door. Please disregard the dirty door, I know I need to clean that.

Here's the bear/pilgrim/turkey that is on my coffee table. Is it a bear? Is it a Pilgrim? Is it a turkey? Or could it be a Bepilkey? Whatever you call it, isn't it CUTE?

Here are two bears dressed like Indians, ready to join (or fight) the bepilkey above for turkey, or pheasant, or whatever they really ate at the first harvest/feast of thanks.

That's it! That's all of my Thanksgiving decorations. I'm sorry it took so long, I didn't really mean to bore you with hours of decoration pictures.