Greetings This Christmas

Listen

Be Gentle

Laugh A Little

Find The Time

Mend a Quarrel

Keep A Promise

Encourage Youth

Give A Soft Answer

Welcome A Stranger

Share Some Treasure

Express Your Gratitude

Seek Out A Forgotten Friend

Apologize If You Were Wrong

Gladden The Heart Of A Child

Take Pleasure In the Beauty

and Wonder Of The Earth

Speak Your Love

Speak It Again

Speak It Still Once More

Merry Christmas, my friends...

Is "Green" A Disease?

Lately, I've found myself actively looking for recyclables whenever I go out for walks, especially if Mallory is with me. If I find a plastic bottle or pop can I toss it into the basket of Mal's stroller and bring it home so I can put them in the recyle bin. I continually kick myself if I'm out walking without Mallory and I didn't grab a plastic bag.

It's gotten to the point that I'll scour the curbs when I drive home, just looking for a "gold mine." I chose my routes based on what I see driving home. Yes, I wash my hands when I'm done.

I know it's not much of an effort but if we are stewards of the Earth, then it's our duty to take better care of it. At times it seems like our efforts are too little, too late.

Perhaps I'm looking for affirmation that what I'm doing is a good thing and not weird. Perhaps I need someone to flat out say, "HEY! What you're doing is weird! Knock it off!"

Have I gotten too OCD with this??

Blog Swap!

A couple of weeks ago Becca asked me I wanted to participate in her Christmas Blog Swap. Having never done one before (and she asked me to not make her beg) I decided to give it a go. I was matched up with Cindy aka Thotlady. Below is a pictorial review of my goodie box:
Said opened box exposing said goodies.
The first thing I grabbed because the tag caught my eye. DO YOU SEE THAT?!?!?! Glorious Ghiradelli chocolates! I did share with Stevie. I had the mint ones *swoon* and he took the caramel ones.
Next out was the cute little faux suede bag. Inside said bag was this:
Aren't they cute?? L'il salt-n-pepper shakers like ornaments!
Next is this lovely and warm scarf from Old Navy. I don't even know this woman and I think she likes me. She really likes me!
I didn't know what this was at first, then as I figured out how to open it I remembered my friend, Jealaine, has one, too!
It's a reusable bag that you can fold back into its pocket and toss in your purse or jeans pocket, I s'pose....that is, if you have really roomy pockets. But then you'll have the weird bulge in a weird spot, so perhaps it's better in a coat pocket or back in your purse where it belongs.
Then there was a compact mirrow and matching emory board from Bath & Body Works, followed closely by this:

A gift box of stinky (in a good way!) B&BW stuff. I found it rather humorous that my giftee, Jen, also received many things from me from B&BW. Can't seem to go wrong with them, eh?

This was a new and fun experience. If I have the opportunity to do this again next year, I think I just might!

Thou Shalt Not Skim Flavor From The Holidays

By Craig Wilson, USA TODAY

I hate this time of year. Not for its crass commercialism and forced frivolity, but because it's the season when the food police come out with their wagging fingers and annual tips on how to get through the holidays without gaining 10 pounds. You can't pick up a magazine without finding a list of holiday eating do's and don'ts. Eliminate second helpings, high-calorie sauces and cookies made with butter, they say. Fill up on vegetable sticks, they say. Good grief. Is your favorite childhood memory of Christmas a carrot stick? I didn't think so. Isn't mine, either. A
carrot was something you left for Rudolph.

I have my own list of tips for holiday eating. I assure you, if you follow them, you'll be fat and happy. So what if you don't make it to New Year's? Your pants won't fit anymore, anyway.

1. About those carrot sticks. Avoid them. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skimmed milk or whole milk. If it's skimmed, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello? Remember college?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. You can't leave them behind. You're not going to see them again. Ever.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards, mate.

10. And one final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips. Start over. But hurry! Cookieless January is just around the corner!!

Fruit Cake Recipe

Sample the whiskey to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the whiskey again to be sure that it is of the highest quality.

Pour 1 level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer; beat 1 cup butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add 1 teaspoon sugar and beat again. Make sure the whiskey is still okay. Cry another tup.

Turn off the mixer. Break two legs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers, pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the whiskey to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift 2 cups of salt. Or something. Who cares!

Check the whiskey.

Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table. Spoon. Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find.

Grease the oven. Turn the cake tin to 350 degrees.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Throw the bowl out of the window.

Check the whiskey again. Go to bed.

Who the hell likes fruitcake anyway?

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

The first snow of the season always puts me more in the Christmas spirit. After blowing out our house I did the two neighbors' drives down from us as part of the Advent Conspiracy of spending less money, giving more of yourself, and loving all as Jesus did. Then Thursday and I went for a walk around the neighborhood. Here's what we found:

I am a Katharine!

Thanks, Meg!!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Katharine!

You are a Katharine -- "I am happy and open to new things"

Katharines are energetic, lively, and optimistic. They want to contribute to the world.

How to Get Along with Me

• * Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.


• * Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.


• * Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.


• * Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.


• * Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people.


• * Don't tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Katharine

• * being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down


• * being spontaneous and free-spirited


• * being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.


• * being generous and trying to make the world a better place


• * having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures


• * having such varied interests and abilities

What's Hard About Being a Katharine

• * not having enough time to do all the things I want


• * not completing things I start


• * not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career


• * having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies


• * feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship

Katharines as Children Often

• * are action oriented and adventuresome


• * drum up excitement


• * prefer being with other children to being alone


• * finesse their way around adults


• * dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up

Katharines as Parents

• * are often enthusiastic and generous


• * want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life


• * may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Weekend Wrap up

Caption Contest Winner! This week it's Nadine with her, "Go!! Fight!! Win!! Dude Spot me!!!"
~~
It's been another one of those weekend where I need to go back to work just so I can relax. It all started Friday night with a subject I enrolled in one of my studies; didn't leave the hospital until 1845 (after being there since 0715) and knowing I would be back at 0600-ish Saturday.. After I finishe dup with my subject Saturday morning I went to the mall to walk with mom and her friends, then had coffee. Went to Lowe's to look at paint samples for our mini-kitchen remodel.

Our countertop are in an L shape with a decent space for a table. We eat in the dining room so the eat-in area is basically wasted. So for our anniversary present Steve bought two unfinished base cabinets and a new counterop to make a horse shoe with a bar of sorts into the eat-in area and getting rid of the kitchen table all together. I figured that if we're doing this mini-remodel might as well repaint. The cabinets are a shade off of white with the walls about a shade or two dark. Milk toast. Hate it. Always have. Sure, it got painted neutral when the house was for sale but I need more color in my life. And it probably wouldn't have been such an ordeal but I really dislike our countertops, and therefore, couldn't find a wall color I liked or that went with the countertops. Aske mom for help and we settled on a butterscotch for the walls.

Love. IT!!!

Then again, anything is better than white walls.

I decided that the wall that goes into the dining room needed something to make it the accent wall so I started ragging copper glaze to break it up and add some red as my dining room is an intense dark maroon. While the outcome is great, I really hate painting. I don't see how people can make a living doing this. I'm fine with the gross painting, it's the touch-up that drives me batty(er).

So Saturday I painted for about 4 hours and I was one still and sore unit when I finally poured myself into bed.

Went to church and did the touch-up along the ceiling. We still need to move the fridge out and paint but it's about 95% done and we can't get over just how much better it looks that before.

Saturday it was around 60* so I fired up the ol' charcoal grill and threw on some burgers, chicken, and venison so we'd have something throughout the week. I know there are people who grill all year round, but I think it loses it's lustre. There's something about being able to grill in the "off-season" that makes the food taste better.

Saturday also marked the fourth anniversary of my dad's suicide.

Sunday? Well, a huge front came through that by 1030 it was 8*. Yes, you read that right; a 50* drop from the day before. The wind has been whipping around 30+ mph which makes it all the colder. Just a dusting of snow.

Last night was our holiday party for the Pulmonary Division. Pot luck and if you went home hungry it was your own fault! Great food, great company, and enough kids to occupy themselves and stay our their parents' hair.

My shopping and baking is all done so I can (try to) enjoy the holidays. I'll feel better once we get the countertop in and the cabinets set and the kitchen back in order.

FA LA LA LA LAAAAAAA......Bah hum bug!

Caption Contest!!

At last, it's FRIDAAAAAAY! Noth much planned this weekend (yeah right.) Hoping to find a suitable paint color for the kitchen as we wrap up our mini-kitchen remodel. S'pose I should get some pictures, huh? Department holiday party on Sunday. I'm brining pineapple salsa and chips. SOOOOO yummy!

Anywho, without further ado (hey, that rhymes!) here is this week's installment of the caption contest. Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday!!

Christmas Shopping Made Easy!!

Because I value each and every one of my devoted readers I decided the best way to repay your kindness and support is by providing you with no-hassle shopping this holiday season.

I have scoured the interweb for the best deals and sites for easy, one-stop shopping. I have narrowed down my list to my two favorites.

To start off, Knock Knock is a great site for office workers filled with Post-It Notes and note pads. Wonderful dry humor including these gems:

The other site is Stupid, where they have done an even better job and scouring the interweb for, well, stupid gifts as their name implies.

Do you have someone on your list that has everything? Well, chances are they don't have a duct tape wallet!

And what man doesn't like bacon?? You could give him a bacon wallet, bacon bandages, or even a bacon lunchbox! In case you're wondering, yes, the wallet and bandages are coming home for Steve.....

What about Freudian slippers? Tattoo sleeves (I actually find these rather ingenious)?

For the baker in the family you could give these! Ever find a pen from some place you've never heard of or been to but advertises something incredibly funny? Try this!!

As great as these stupid gifts are, and quite a few are coming home, I do have some tact. I passed on the yodeling pickle.

No need to thank me.

5

(CRAP!! I can't find her third birthday! It's somewhere with the new house photos!! Perhaps on the old computer......grrrrr.......)

Happy 5th birthday, Booey!

Remember...