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!