Little is not little for long

Little things become the big things

Don't they?

A small hug for a child everyday
becomes the big love they carry away

A small kindness done for a friend
that you repeat
over and over again and again,
becomes a security and trust
that will not bend

A small little kiss or a peck on the cheek
given everyday or even each week
turns into a heart that is happy and proud
and lives in the pleasure of smiling out loud

Each little thing that you do each day
no matter how small you may think it to be
becomes later the biggest thing it can be

When it is the biggest
that it ever will be,
will you be happy
to see what you see?

Will you be happy
to know what you've made
by your little gestures
of each passing day?


~Miss Roxie

Christmas Eve 2005

This is our house with our Christmas lights and one guitar player out front.



These are two of our family guitar players. The third one couldn't make it for Christmas, but we will all be together for the New Year. (The really good looking one is my handsome son Sean)


We built a little patio outside. But that lovely fire just would not keep going! We kept trying and trying to blow that fire to keep it going!


Finally we got totally serious. Our blower can blow winds up to 170 mph. So we thought, hey! this will surely work!



And this is us .... smiling through the smoke...

James has a very good life

Christmas Lights by Madam Blueberry

Days of Christmas past with smiles

The kids smile pretty for the camera. My little girl's first Christmas ~1990. That was the year Madam Blueberry received her sweet soft kitty as her first Christmas present. (Yes, we still have Kitty.)

I see by your outfit that you are a cowgirl. I see by your outfit you are a cowgirl, too. We see by are outfits that we are both cowgirls. So if you get an outfit you can be a cowgirl, too.
These are the cousins in very good luck. Each has parents, grandparents and assorted relatives who love them very much.

Cookin' and Bookin'

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." J.R.R Tolkien

Well, we are making merry crazy cheer over here! Choose to make merry or choose to go crazy! I'll take the food and drink with my merry, thank you.

It has been just non-stop for us here. I doubt anyone is really interested in what we did, but when I look back I want to know it because I have done so much that it's doubtful I will.

Madam Blueberry has baked and double the recipe for Blueberry Muffins (of course),Tea Cookies (these are the best little cookies-no eggs in them-perfect for company and gifts), and Pumpkin Muffins. I made Cranberry/Walnut/Oat Muffins (these are also a winner-healthy, I think) ~
And we did the standard cleaning that gets done when the company comes...anyone know about this? Ha and Ha! Tough work that.

The inlaws, all 6 of them, arrived last night, so blow up mattresses are blocking the cold from the floor. But they arrived to a lovely pot of hearty soup (Oh my soup has been great lately - they asked me to make another pot today), a warming fire and candles were lite and smelling nice. It's easy now with cell phones to time the arrivals right to the mini second.

My NBF (Neighbor best friend - I call her that because you don't always get to be close friends with a neighbor and when you do, it's something different than just meeting someone you get along with; we are more like related and good friends), she came over and visited for a bit, listen to everyone prattle away at her, gave out her hugs, and we sent her home with some goodies. It was only fair.

Today my sister in-law and I braved the grocery store. It was something that just couldn't have been done before hand no matter how hard I would have tried.
So we shopped for the next three days worth of supplies.

I came home, half of the group departed for the movies and I cooked ~
my soup
stuffed meatballs (stuffed them with mozzarella cheese)
taco filling
sausage
spinach casserole
chicken parmigian

I think it took me three and half hours and a shot of tequila to get all that done. The spinach casserole and the Parmigian are in the oven, with the first batch of meatballs.

Some of this stuff is for tomorrow. My sister in law felt guilty leaving me doing all this cooking as she headed off to the show with the kids. But I told her - I'm done until tomorrow at this time - (When I make the sausage/egg casserole for Christmas morning).

I still wish I had an extra day in here!!

The boys should be here in another couple of hours. I am looking forward to that! This is the part that is most exciting!!

The crew from the movies is just getting back. I'm signing off for now.

Holy Whiskers! Bat Cat! Still Working?

We have long known that our cats have super powers. But since we knew that they had made themselves comfortable in this lazy cat's life we had provided them, we were sure they would be giving up their desire of the outside world. It seems their friends have come to find them. Perhaps the mission is that important.

Write Your Own Caption

This is James. He is our talking cat. What do you think he was saying on this day?

A well rounded personality

The skills of Madam Blueberry were never limited to just the kitchen.

Graduated to Dumplings

After much begging and charming, er, uhh, practice, Mommy allowed Madam B to assist with dumpling making. You may be able to discern that Madam B was quite happy with this decision, and we would like to comment at this time, the dumplings, were indeed, probably the best (beginners luck!) ever!

The Early days of Madam Blueberry

In the earliest time of young Madam's life, she had shown interest in the finer things of behind the scene dining...her curiosity lead her to explore food making with as much hands-on as possible allowed by the original kitchen manager, Her Lady of the Mild Manor, Miss Roxie, known then, and often now, as Mommy.

Seen here, she is making sugar cookies decorated with green sugar sprinkles. Quite sugary and green, they were.

Such Lovely Day

One ship sails East,
And another West,
By the self-same winds that blow,
Tis the set of the sails
And not the gales,
That tells the way we go.

Like the winds of the sea
Are the waves of time,
As we journey along through life,
Tis the set of the soul,
That determines the goal,
And not the calm or the strife.
~~Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Don't you think the day passed quickly? How did you spend your time? Ben Franklin tells us time is not to be squandered. But he was such a busy fellow, I wonder if he did any relaxing at all! If he and Thomas Edison were around today, the experts diagnose them ADD!

Time is such a teacher. These days I wake up with the idea that I want to remember *this day*. I want it to pass well spoken, well thought of... That's one reason I love my Blog. It helps me keep track of my life. It helps me remember that I always want to be kind. Because what am I going to write here? I write about my day, I think about my day because I write about it.

"Good thoughts are no better than good dreams, unless they be executed"….Ralph Waldo Emerson

Madam Blueberry and I went shopping, completed all the tasks at hand, and then enjoyed one of our favorite things...sharing a coffee and a treat at Barnies! We love their coffee! I think the name of today's coffee was Nutcracker Sweet (it sure was good). And our special treat was a Spinach Feta Pretzel. I know it sounds weird, but it went together well, and I wouldn't mind having another some time.

My goal is to have all the major things in the house done by Sunday night. We are going out together this weekend to finalize some shopping we need each others minds for, and then the rest of the week will be baking, delivering gifts to friends and neighbors, enjoying the scents of warm burning candles, watching the fire, and renting a few movies. Just want to chill out together until the gang's all here!

For everything there is a season,
And a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Looking through some photographs

I keep a box of the *imperfect* photos in a special box. After a few years, I go through them and make a collage. Last night, I was going through my old photos box and found so many that I don't know why really, I tagged as *imperfect*. When I look back now, I love these!

Isn't it funny how things can look so different from a distance.

Tu tranquilo

I'll just close my eyes for a minute....

"I must lose myself in action, lest I wither in despair."~~ Alfred Lord Tennyson

You see, I went to the gym today. And I haven't been in over a week. (It shows itself in the oddest places, especially in the desire part of the mind that can think of every excuse NOT to go today…)

But before I went to the gym, I had to stop and buy gym shoes. I have not been able to find my shoes for a week. But for me, that is not highly unusual. If you know me, you know I am always and forever looking for my shoes.

However. This time, the loss was real. Oh well, I needed a new pair anyway.

But the old feet in the new shoes thought they could do many things at the gym that they probably should not have done.

We got home and I had a cup of tea and a bite of something to induce mind revival (which lasted all of about 35 minutes....)
Let’s say….
I managed to stay awake until around 4'ish. I did put some dinner on the stove - on low...to simmer.

I had actually started it last night. It was Madam B's Almond-Chicken-stir-fry (The almonds, chicken and mushroom part)
and I added my extra thoughts to it ... put it on the stove and sat in the chair to rest these weary bones shall we say? ...

I *awakened* myself making strange sounds (men call it snoring), and realized I needed to thank God that I had not burned the house down!

But! Here's the good news! I have discovered that if I quadruple Madam B's sauce and add some of my thoughts and cook it on low for 45 minutes (to an hour maybe??), you have a lovely, rich, smooth looking, good tasting sauce!! (And the house did smell a lot like Almonds, but that's okay.)

Aint's life just grand!

Just another piece of the jumbo puzzle that says “All’s Well That Ends Well.” (Good dinner!)

Do not despair

Oh, I wish for all the world that people really knew that life is truly short..
that children grow up faster than you ever think they will,
even if you know it...
It will happen faster than that ~

No matter what day it is
What time of the year it is
There will always be "one more thing" to do.

Don't pretend to yourself that
This
time of year...
Especially
THIS
time of year
will be any different!

Don't despair!
Rejoice!
Be Happy!
Take that deep breath the whole world talks about! It will do you good!
If you feel like you want to yell ~ run down the street dancing! or whisper!

Tell yourself
You Will
You Can
You Must!!
Make the most of these moments ...

Fleeting as they are
They are YOURS!

Take the time to organize, delegate, and make sure there is time to celebrate!
With your family and friends and even strangers! Smile. Inside and Out.

Peace be with you.

Tu Tranquilo.

By any other name, it's still a mess!

“Chaos is a name for any order that produces confusion in our minds.”

….George Santayana


I cannot function with physical chaos around me. It's a problem I need to conquer perhaps, but for right now, I am challenged to expediate a way to function. My house is a complete disaster. Not a *little* bit messy ~ but _nothing_ seems to be in it's place messy, just too many projects going at one time --

Preparing for Christmas and guests (how many sheets, blankets, towels do we need, who sleeps where?)
Packing for moving
Sorting for a garage sale
Wrapping presents
Shifting things to other closets for storage
Working on a fabric paint t-shirt (Madam Blueberry must be creative when creativity strikes!)
Filing end of the year paper work
Laundry with No Home! (and you _know_ what that is like!)
Moving furniture to try to decide best place for the tree (which is on the deck)
Christmas ornaments and decorations everywhere in boxes - what to keep, what to go...
Yikes!

Problem is, I can't think when clutter is around me. So I have to do something about this so the sea of my brain cells can begin to part. I miss that feeling.

So this is like the No-Win Scenario for me!

I have put Mozart on the CD player. And, now, that I have made my plight public....I must have at it!

"Well done is better than well said." ~~ Ben Franklin

What Advanced Degree Should you get?

The evening

~ spent in complete and utterly useless entertionment!

(Last one, now time for bed)

You Should Get a PhD in Liberal Arts (like political science, literature, or philosophy)

You're a great thinker and a true philosopher. You'd make a talented professor or writer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

How Observant Are You?

Just a few fun things to pad the stress panels!

Your Observation Skills Get A C

You tend to notice the big things in life... But the details aren't exactly your forte

How Observant Are You?

How do you live your life?

How You Live Your Life

You are honest and direct. You tell it like it is. You're laid back and chill, but sometimes you care too much about what others think. Your friends tend to be a as quirky as you are - which is saying a lot! Some of your past dreams have disappointed you, but you don't let it get you down.

How Do You Live Your Life?

Patience Grasshopper, Patience

Tolerance is the only real test of civilization ...Arthur Helps

The Afternoon

I just came in from shopping and a visit to the post office. My packages are on their way. After being offered three choices of shipping arrangements, I was thinking, “my gosh, is there a wrong answer here?” “Doesn’t everyone want the same thing? the *fastest, cheapest, on time for Christmas* shipping?” ~ Anyway, I made my choices and chose not to worry about it now …

Strange thing at the post office...I had not realized that it has become the practical thing to do, regarding the attendance of your packages, to address and tape and shove them in the box while you are waiting in line! I must have missed this in some Woman's Magazine article about 37 ways to get *12 things done at once*, or something.

Both women in front of me where handling their paper work and packaging while they were in line! I really didn't know what to think, except that I am so old school (I really felt tagged). I was brought up in a different era. I don't like to judge what is new and progressive, but I'm not quite sure what I want to adopt as my current life style doings in all the new ways of handling things.

One woman had time and completed her task before the line came to her. The other woman, however, discovered she had the wrong box and the wrong address label. So, she quickly began to change it all so she would, heaven forbid this -- actually spend a few more minutes there!

(I did overhear three of those ladies talking and they were not happy with the season or the task of shopping; they basically said they would be glad when all of this was over. I thought, "oh, too bad, isn't that sad." Seems like one would be in a hurry for, oh, say gall bladder surgery to be over, but not so much for Christmas ....)

It turned into a bit of a-hoopla for the wrong-package lady. The contents she had seemly placed neatly in the other box, was now being shoved like old laundry in this correct, smaller box, with it’s correct label. And two people, including myself, did pass her. The lady who passed her in line first asked, "is it okay if I pass you?"

And I said, "well, I would think it's okay...", ...on the inside :) -- but on the outside, when my turn came to pass her, I asked permission as well. I thought the other woman has now set a precedent and far be it for me to throw any rudeness in the arena.

Few things are harder to put up with than a good example.....Mark Twain)

The Revised Revision of the Revised List.....

Murphy's laws tells us, whenever we set out to do something, something else must be done first ~ and ain't that always the way!

My list is on *ready alert* at all times. Hopefully, I won't lose it _again_ between now and the next 15 minutes. And I thought I had already bought those Holiday stamps!~ But maybe I didn't because I really wasn't that impressed with the choices this year.

My plan is to get out early today and do some of the things on The List, while Madam B attends to school doing the work she can do on her own. She and I are tired. We stayed up late, sorting and wrapping things that needed to be mailed today and making revisions on the lists!

The Morning –

So, I'm off for round one.

This entire list making effort is so that we are able to take time to have fun this holiday! We have lots of baking planned, and we haven't settled yet on the Christmas menu for the weekend at all!

Since there are so many here to get ready, we may attend evening church on the 25th...
but several of my guests this year are Catholic, and one year we went to Christmas Eve mass with them when they visited.

...The year my Jewish relatives visited, we lite the Menorah with them every night in celebration of Hanukkah. We left the candals burning and placed them atop the wood burning stove, and one evening, after tea, we smelled something....We were all sitting right there and didn't realize the little flames had reached up and tickled my mantle in a forever kind of a way...I still have the marks on my mantle that marks the memory of the occasion.

Nothing like a memory ... you must not forget to make your memories in life! If someone ever asks you what you would like as a gift, and you can't think of anything? Tell them you want a memory!

Life is not about the things you get, it's about the memories you make. That’s the secret of holding on to things, holding on to life, holding on to love.

Tu tranquilo! ~~~

Mesmorizing

Sunday night

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. ~~ Albert Einstein

Has the mystery begun at your house? Tis the season to make much merriment! I hope you are making it, enjoying it ~ can't imagine those in the world with snow! So much snow.

We've got the outside lights up. Just a small part of them are out ~ don't know why. We are not light elitist extrodenairs, but we try.

We have a fire going. It only takes a spark.... A real fire I might add. Dear Darling Husband couldn't get a it to spark enough so he decided to use a hair dryer to fan the fire. He did fan a few things. Like soot everywhere. After a vacuum and a dusting, and a couple of hours, and Madam Blueberry blowing and blowing on the fire ~ since mama took the blow dryer away ~ we finally have a fire!

The Home Fires Are burning

Tis the Season to be Jolly

"I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."
~ ~Charles Dickens

It seems true for my life. I do plan, at Christmas, to give something extra. I do count on the local charities in my town to provide a list of 'who needs what' in the newspaper ~ and I go shopping and take the items down there and allow myself to feel good.

Not that my heart is shut-up the rest of the year, but just that, I feel it's openly and freely expected of me at this time of the year. A sense of duty. I don't want others to feel disappointed on Christmas day. Everyone looks forward to being remembered at Christmas. And I look forward to remembering.


The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

My family will be home for Christmas this year. The boys will be arriving on the 24th, and I can't wait!

My husband's sister/husband/two girls, and parents are also going to be here. A tad bit crowded, but we will manage. Madam Blueberry and I are planning, and making lists, and organizing this year like we never have before. It's nice to have the help!! And she's good at it!

And I look forward to all the family craziness, in a way. It makes for a good memory. And memories are all you have at the end.

The buying and the giving of the gifts are fun, too,.... getting the *lists* from everyone ~ who each, it seems, as they get older, say, "Oh, I really don't need anything...", but secretly, we all want to buy just the perfect gift for them.

But no matter what we buy or receive, the greatest thing is having them visit you and share a laugh and an occassional *remember when*, and know that they love you -- They do, they truly do.


Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley

It seems such a strange thing to fret about a greeting. I choose not to be offended, but I suppose it's easy for me because I grew up with "Merry Christmas" as the standard. I've long sent cards to friends who don't think of Christmas the same way as I do that carried a greeting of Happy Holidays. It's never bothered me in the slightest. I can't understand now, how it makes national news. Don't we have bigger things to worry about?

Let people just be themselves. Wish them well in their own language of Christmas. It's not really that big a deal. I see it as just another way to be kind.


At Christmas
A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;
He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season's here;
Then he's thinking more of others than he's thought the months before,
And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.
He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;
When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime...
~Edgar Guest

Now, here's the loveliest idea,
One we could embrace the entire year...
What if, the way we are at Christmas time,
became the way of our daily design!

Most Expedient In What Order, Your Grace?

Lives are funny things. They take all these twists and turns on main highways, back roads, dirt roads, side streets and different driveways. There are days it's life in the fast lane, and there are days of life facing on-coming traffic. There is driving the wrong direction down the one-way, and getting on the off ramp ...

I wrote this the other day after returning from our trip. Traveling always takes me out of place for a day or two, in the sense of mind as well as geographically. It usually takes me a day to come 'round again ~ I was so far behind today, I'm glad it rained. One reason for that is because my darling husband can't work when it rains. (He owns his own lawn business) So he was home to help me today.

The rain always makes me feel safe inside. I am a shy person; perhaps not as shy as I was at one time, but I don't think shyness ever really leaves you, but I used to be so shy that I would only do my yard work in the rain. It really was nice. I wonder now, did the neighbors think me daft? But the rain makes me comfortable. I like the way it feels. I think I have felt all sorts of rain. Soft, Warm, Cold, Pelting ...I've allowed myself to walk in the rain many times. I don't do it much anymore, except to brave out to the mailbox. But I'm thinking I might reinstate that act of madness into my life.

Traveling always make me think. I have so much in my head right now, I have to sleep a few nights for it to shift around and come out properly.

I spent most of today with my paper work. Being self-employed brings so much paper work with it that there oughta be a law! Bills to pay, and mail to sort, and checks to write _on time_ I might add ...then there are the correspondences as I keep up with people in actual letters that require a mailbox and a stamp. I'm not complaining. I really don't mind it. I guess I just wish I could do it better and more efficiently.

I'm still up for being a Pirate. I've decided to be a pirate against mediocrity. I'm seeing it too often. Last night coming in from the last leg of our trip, and one more rough night of sleeping, I was looking forward to ordering a salad from Applebees ~ I love their Oriental Chicken Salad ~ but I think it will be the last time I order from there. My chicken was raw! I was astounded. I mean, really, you could kill someone with raw chicken!

I called the manager, and he apologized back and sideways, and said he's sending me a ticket for a free meal. But somehow, it just wasn't what I wanted right then.

I'm so saddened to see the way people wait on customers in stores. They are talking to each other and on the phone while customers wait or are just ignored.

Before I left town, I made a special trip over to Barnes and Nobles to pick up the book Pride and Prejudice. There wasn't one on the rack -- this is the one I wanted. I spoke to the clerk about ordering one, and he assured me the inventory showed 17 in stock! He tried to get someone to assist me. He paged and paged. No answer. He said the managers had not been answering his page three other times that day, and he could not leave his register. I waited until I had to go. I was so disappointed.

The last time I was in Barnes and Nobles (We go about once a week, I like to have a coffee and read, and Madam Blueberry just loves it there) ~ I ordered my coffee and a cookie and could not believe that I felt like I was interrupting a conversation between the two young ladies behind the counter who were complaining about this and that and the other thing regarding work. I asked if the manager was in, and the one young lady said, "I'm the manager." I just said, "Oh." Not being a good pirate that week....I'll have to write a letter. But don't you think we deserve better treatment? I mean, really ....

I am a bit weary from all the traveling, but I really feel quite good inside. It was fun to see my family and my two big sons. It's so strange looking at them so grown up!

I still can't believe it.
~~Miss Roxie

Time just passed and they are grown,
So wonderfully handsome and on their own,
Their own thoughts and their own plans,
It's hard to believe I held their little hands,
To cross the street or point to a star,
I never thought about just how far,
Their dreams might take them,
My sweet little men ~
Can't wait for Christmas
When they are home again ....
~~Miss Roxie
If you bungle raising your children, I don't think whatever else you do well matters very much....Jacqueline Kennedy Onasiss

Seven Sevens

Tagged by Tim to play the Sevens game....*Hopefully* I do it right!

Seven Things I say most often

1. I need to check my mail
2. Did you do your math?
3. Alrighty, then ….or Cool Beans.
4. Can you mute that?
5. Does the back of my hair look okay?
6. You need to write that down.
7. I have to go to the bank.

Seven Things I cannot do

(To which my family replied ‘what can mom not do?”)

1. Use my side mirrors to back-up
2. See in the dark
3. Advance beyond the Power On button on the remote
4. Leave the house quickly (getting better)
5. Let mediocrity go
6. Let the cat sit in my car
7. Drive a Semi Tractor Trailer Truck

Seven Things to do before I die

1. Complete my Spiritual Education
2. Go to Australia
3. Write/Finish my books (I have three stories in my head)
4. Read all the Great Classics
5. Go to Ireland
6. Learn to Juggle
7. Totally accept myself in every sense of the word

Seven Movies I’d watch over and over again

1. Pride and Prejudice (A & E Version)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Much Ado About Nothing
4. Great Expectations (A & E Version with Ioan Gruffudd)
5. It’s a Wonderful Life
6. Sense and Sensibility
7. Merchant of Venice

Seven Things that attract me to my spouse

1. His Kindness
2. He thinks I’m funny
3. He thinks I’m beautiful
4. He thinks I know important things
5. He has a good sense of family values
6. He has patience to match an oak
7. He is a good and honorable man

Seven (types of) Books I love

1. Any Book with Quotes
2. Art Books
3. To Kill A Mockingbird
4. Much Ado About Nothing
5. Books on History
6. Books on Attitudes, why we have them and how we can deal with them
7. Books with lovely pictures

Seven People to join in

(I don’t really know 7 people, really ~

So, here we go ~~

1. Katie Barr
2. Mama Squirrel
3. JavaMom
4. Southern Mama

Best lay the plans gently

"It will not do to leave a live dragon out of your plans if you live near one."~~The Hobbit

Does no one have a live dragon to deal with? We might have a couple....

So here we are leaving Wednesday night to fly into Thursday morning, which means the week is just about over, yes? That was 7 full days off without official school time. We did take reading books, but the most unfortunate thing happened, Madam Blueberry took ill. She spent two days alone resting - but, yet, did manage to bake her Tea Cookies and her famous BlueBerry muffins for the Naming Ceremony, and the Tea Cookies were found to be most charming!

We'll, it's been decided, that we will be hosting Christmas here at our house. There will be 8 guests. We are not established in such a way as to make 8 guests each extremely comfortable, so that will take some thinking. I'll work on that with Madam B.

We have school that must be done everyday until our official day of break which is ....ummm, actually not decided yet~!
And tomorrow we will address our list of things to do to make Christmas as peaceful and as fun as we most possibly can. I'll have a better idea of what is possible to do, after I talk over tea with Madam B.
So tomorrow goes down the general plan, places people will sleep, things to eat, places to park, and just things in general to think of, menus, snacks, etc. etc. etc. ....it will all work out fine.
I also have my bookwork whichs needs terribly to be addressed, so that's a priority for Tomorrow. No skipping over that one.

You know, it's funny to come back to your home, and not know where you are!

"I am a man of fixed and unbending principles, the first of which is to be flexible at all times."
~~ Everett Dirksen

"The best way out is always through."

~~ Robert Frost

I agree with what Mr. Frost thinks ~

'there's no way through it, but through it." ~~ Jackson Browne


I have a feeling this thread will be continuing. I am looking for the support of the world of blog.

On the road again

"Our most basic instinct is not for survival but for family. Most of us would give our own life
for the survival of a family member, yet we lead our daily life too often as if we take our family
for granted."
~Paul Pearshall

It's been a family weekend! We are not the Brady Bunch exactly or the Adams Family nor the Partridge Family, but we are a tad bit of each -- kinda like The Bradamstridge Family Brunch.
Ah well, maybe that's too formal, but close. We do try to act nice, are a little bit weirdish, and we do sing and have a band!

I know I have had some interesting discoveries this past week, but I've just not had time to get to a key board and write out my thoughts!

Since I've been away from my blog, I should just catch up with myself so I can see where I'm headed by where I have been.

Thursday we headed south, and made it to our destination on Saturday afternoon. My littlest nephew
was having a birthday party (on Sunday) ~ or more formally, a Naming Ceremony. His is of the Jewish Faith, but a naming ceremony is not inclusive of only the Jewish Faith, but this is the first one I have attended. My nephew Jacob is two, and he is just a hoot! He's one of those charming imps that grab your heart quickly and holdsfast.

On the Saturday was a surprise party for my 10 year old great nephew. He came in town for the Naming Ceremony, so as families have the habit of doing, we just combine all good things into one weekend.

It was a spinning few days ~ seeing my two big sons play football with their assorted nephews/cousins (4 of them from the ages of 5 to 10 ~ the two year old went off with Nana) was more heartwarming than I had imagined, I'm glad I decided to go out to the field to watch. I laughed so hard at the little boys catching the ball and running for touchdowns - in any direction of any pole!
Seeing my sister, her husband, my parents, my brother and his family and some of my brothers college friends....just makes you wonder Where Has The Time Gone anyway??
Then, we headed back North, and stopped for my sister in law's birthday party....

The night skies in South Florida are just breathtaking there near the ocean...
Houses are being built everywhere, everywhere, everywhere...we have got to run out of space soon!
How many people are on this planet anyway!

These are not the deeper thoughts I've had these past few days, but just the notes of some of the things that have happened in the last few days. Family is a very strange thing. A concept that puts you in connection with people just because you share a blood line. Serious business when you think about it.

~~~~~~~~
"What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories." ~George Eliot
~~~~~~~

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
- - Frank Outlaw

Old Aging

Just to be clear ~

Old Aging is not aging gracefully or getting old-er in years. Old Aging is more of a thing that is done when one stops living in this present time. Old Aging draws a line in the sand of time and says ....

This is as far as I go.
~~ Miss Roxie

Not one new thing will I learn
My brain can no longer grow
My interest withdrawn,
New things make me yawn,
I've learnt all that I want to know...

Now, as you can observe, by the illustration above, this same philosophy can be adapted by any age! But, if I may suggest, don't let this form of thinking over take you! Run to the nearest book....and read it!!

Just for fun - take this Real Age test and see where you score!


“The time of life is short; To spend that shortness basely were too long.”
~~William Shakespeare

Any Soldier Somewhere

Support a Soldier

My neighbor and friend shared with me this link above. This will lead you to a list of soldier's names within different branches of the armed forces. These soldiers are in harm's way, and should you feel lead to share your support for them with gifts, you can click on a name and acquaint yourself with their needs and thoughts.

Seemed like a good idea to me.
~~~~~~~~~~~
People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character.
~~Emmerson

And Yo Ho Yo Ho......

A pirate's life for me ...
Stardate ~ Captain's Log and Yo Ho Yo Ho, a pirate's life for me...

"Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all."
~~ Captain Jack Sparrow


I have decided to be a pirate. It's seems illogical to live ones life and not be a pirate in something. So I am pirating against Old Aging. I am plotting against it in the way of deciding to just not notice it.

From my careful observations of old age, aside from the time your spirit spends in this body, I'm not sure it's something that takes a conscientious admission.

If I have an ache or a pain, I'll decide it's what happens to active people. If I can't remember where my car keys are, I'll decide it's because I lead such a busy life.

I've taken to wearing one hoop earring in my left ear as my pirate motto. Thought that might be more tame than a eye patch.

Madam Blueberry said, "Well Mother, if you wear just one hoop earring, and you are old, people will think you have just forgotten the other earring."

"Well," said I, "that is not something that a pirate would worry about, now is it?"
~~~~~~

"Now and then we had a hope that if we lived and were good, God would permit us to be pirates."
~ Mark Twain

Left Brain/Right Brain?

Does your left hand know what your right hand is doing?

Are you left brained or right brained? Take this test and see if you agree with what the experts say.

I tested out Right Brain dominate.

I then took the Visual Test, and almost lost my balance when I had to cross my eyes! But I have a balance disorder, but be forewarned should you decide to try it!

The Joy of the Free Sock

The Joy of the Free Sock
~~Miss Roxie

I think that I shall never know
Of such a mass rebellion
As when a sock goes in the wash
And becomes a common hellion!

You’d think a sock
Would just go around
And come back on it’s own,
But no!
There in the midst of cleansing
Amid the soap and foam,
All laws defied
Your laundry’s lied!
And let the sock go roam!

Those sounds you think you hear at night?
The ones you can’t explain?
They’re eerie, yet melodious,
They’re cheery, but yet strange?

That is the Laugh of the Free sock!
Doing a wild abandon dance!
No foot inside
To guide its stride
It Lives now
The Life of Shapeless chance!

Nell's Daughter

Nell’s daughter in the Later Years

~~Miss Roxie

Oh, well now, this here girl,
her cool has done simmered down
To warm oatmeal
Some might say with a laugh,
But it’s true….
I'm no longer crisp cinnamon toast
With hot butter.
The days that I sizzle as bacon on china?
Oh honey,
Those will be the cold ones on the California coast!

Nah. It's normal days and hours and nights that have set in my routine.
A comfy pair of jeans can be recognized as a friend,
My car works each time I turn the key,
I want that stability,
Clothes are for comfort,
Style is for fun, and
That one time at the holiday parties during the year,

But that's okay.
It's okay.
It has to be
This life was mine,
Given and lived,
And still livin'!
Loving my husband, my children,
My family, my friends both seen and unseen,
My neighbors….
With all that I knew
How to do……
To change things for the better,
What else can you do?
But work to see things,
All things “together for good”
That became the plan

What I’ve seen my mother do
I did and
I still do
What I need
And I oughter,
So at the end,
Of the very long run,
At the end of my time
Of her time
Of our time together,
There will stand a mother,
My mother,
Who can feel, truly feel,
She can smile shyly and feel,
Radicially proud of her daughter.

I love you, Mom

Pride and Prejudiced ~ The Movie

I am thinking I am not a good one to review this movie. I am one of those whom have remained spoiled by the 6 hour A & E version. So, I may judge rather harshly. And those who have read the book may judge more harshly. I've read only chunks of the books, but now, I have to read it all - it's not fair otherwise to be a total critic.

I can tell you that those in the theater - which was full to capacity – seem to absolutely love it. If they didn't, I don't know why everyone was reciting the lines as they left!

Here's the basic story ~

Lizzie (Keira Knightley) Bennet, is one of five sisters from a not so wealthy family (but they have servants) in 18th century Britain (when a woman's only lot in life was to marry *up*), and her pride and prejudices towards Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFayden), who is without one doubt much more well-to-do, and at least as prejudiced himself, on the idea of Lizzie, as Lizzie is on the idea of him (in other words they are very alike, just on opposite sides of the payroll). But, I will have to say, Mr. Darcy, appeared to be MUCH the snob at the beginning. If he was foolin', he was doing a really good job of it. So I can't help but agree with Lizzie's first impression.

This is the quintessential opposites attract story, with both characters loathing one another at the start, (been done before, I know) only to swoon at each other's feet (could be called the Passion and The Prejudice but that was most likely too steamy a title for Jane) as the story progresses.

For me, much is lost in not hearing all the lines spoken. Nowhere did I hear the book’s most beloved opening sentences -- "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

Much of the story, as this film presents it, is left in vagueness. It focused on the relationship of Lizzie and Mr. Darcy.

Some critics asked “'do we need another Pride and Prejudice?” You know, it's a great story ... nothing wrong with a great story being done again and again. More great stories need to be told over and over again.

To those that love the depth of great text, this version of Pride and Prejudice may seem like a commercial of the A & E version (One is cheating oneself to not be immersed in the exact writing of Jane Austen. The text is like the best cheesecake dessert!)

They did give it a most decent try. Madam Blueberry gave it a 7 (she's also a fan of the A & E version), and I agree, perhaps a 7.

But my in laws LOVED it - gave it a 10! And so did the audience I viewed it with (I'm pretty sure), which was very mixed in age, but there were many young people in attendance..

But I still think it worth the viewing. Let me know what you think.

I would like to mention something I found interesting – it seemed that the first scene in which there was a ball of the country folk, had them appearing, well, very unkempt! I know the beards of the men were rugged throughout the film, even the wealthy, except for Mr. Bingley (but he appeared about 18 or something) ~ but the people at the beginning were looking rough shall we say?

And, I didn’t think that the pigs in the house of the Bennets were quite accurate….

Such a lovely Pie

The photo does not justice do to the Lovely Thanksgiving Pie. It sure doesn’t capture the love that went into it. (I'm finding it's not so easy to photograph food!) But I just had to share Madam B's first Apple Pie with the world. This was Grandma Rita's recipe that she followed with Grandma Rita at the assist.

Grandma Rita has been spoiling us for years with her pies and her pasties. Rita was born in Ireland, as was my husband, and didn't come to America until she was thirty years old. Her baking has always been most special. There's something about those old recipes that sets them apart. I'm not sure what it is. The use of less sugar perhaps? Whatever it is, it is excellent!

I realize Thanksgiving Day has passed, but I'll never stop being thankful. A thankful heart is full. A thankful heart has no time for dwelling on negative thoughts, as they are swept to their proper place ~ out the back door! It is not a good plan to allow negative thoughts to plant themselves deeply. Keep a fertile ground of thankfulness, as that can only lead to the growth of love. And I believe Love Conquers All. And I believe Love Bears All Things.

Last night in a conversation with #1 son, I told him I was in a good place emotionally. He asked, "Why is that, Mom?" After thinking about it seriously, I realized that to be in a good place emotionally, it has to be a conscious decision. So why not just make it?

The sooner we do it, the more practiced we become at it. And who knows, maybe a generation of Thankful Hearts could just change the world!

“We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies.”
~Shirley Abbott

The End of the Day of Thanks

T’was just a delightful day, the weather, the company; the flow of each of our temperaments was just lovely.

My niece, her husband, two sons, and my great nephew came to visit as well. They didn’t stay for dinner, but it was lovely to have them hang out for a while. The boys were most interested in books and puzzles that I had for them! You know kids, there is no time like the present, so they each started a puzzle right away. So I was thankful for them coming to see me!

But before I forget ~~

the menu ~

Morning was sausage and waffles. Not just any ole Waffle…but ones especially made by Madam B. Just perfection.

Vegetable Soup was made for those that felt a need to partake in some necessary nourishment between the brilliant breakfast and the upcoming Turkey feast.

Note --This would be a homemade soup
~~ (olive oil, garlic, onions, celery, carrots, spinach, peas with assorted seasonings including Nature Seasoning, thyme, sage, sweet basil, and a bit of oregano. and cooked slowly in a vegetable broth)=

Our dinner choice was mostly the standard fare of the Holiday.

Herb Stuffed Turkey Breast
They did turn out lovely, and tasted lovely also. (We got the idea from Rachel Ray from 30 minute meals).

Mashed Potatoes
Corn on the Cob
Steamed Carrots
Biscuits
Gravy
Hot Apple Pie

We were a small group this year. Five altogether.
My boys couldn’t make it up this year, as it would have been just to hectic with their work and school schedules. And that was okay with me. I don’t fancy to highly of my kids driving far distances and getting tired on the road, when so many other people are on the road and in the same condition. And we are going to be seeing them next weekend for more party stuff. I’ll tell about that later.

The photo of the Turkey Breast ended up on top.
~~~~~~~~

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~~ Jane Howard

The Thankful Heart

Though the years

be stained

with tears

by those cousins

hurt and sorrow ,

A life that's known

those sides of love

can find love,

looking forward

toward tomorrow.

Tis Gratitude

Will teach us

the thankful heart

can mend,

And a life

Thought stained

can richly gain

It’s strength

To love again.

~~Miss Roxie

Some thoughts of Thankfulness

"When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup."
Sam Lefkowitz

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
Albert Schweitzer

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
Charles Dickens

"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues."
Cicero

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'thank you'?"
William Arthur Ward

Let never day nor night unhallowed pass But still remember what the Lord hath done.
~William Shakespeare

And then it was the next day

The voice of parents is the voice of gods, for to their children they are heaven's lieutenants.
~~~William Shakespeare

Yesterday! ~ boy howdy the time sure flies when you are having fun!

Early in the day, I shopped along with 2/3 of my town. I did get out early, but I had to wait until I got the phone call assuring me that all would be okay with my mom. She had gone into the hospital on Monday afternoon, to finalize lots of tests because of a pressure in her chest and numbness from her elbow to her hand that would not go away.

Long story short ~ She went to the doctor first thing in the morning, doctor said, "Well, if you were 26, I'd send you home, as everything I can check out now looks fine. But you're 76, so I have to run more tests." Which they did, but each test lead to another test which lead to the last test that needed to be done, which was the catheterization, and that revealed she could go home. But heads up, MOM!! You had us worried.

Because Mom was in the hospital, there were many phone calls, but they were necessary. We needed to find out what was going on, and we needed to comfort each other. It is in these times, you really appreciate a way to feel close to those you love.

Moving on ~
Came home from the shopping, and Madam B (whom I can't sing enough praises about) had all the counters and such, ready for stacking the grocery bags and then had them unloaded and put away faster than I could get the mail and make a cup of tea! Bless the Lord for this child to be my last at home!

Next, sitting with a cup of tea and my daughter's brilliant conversation, the phone rings. It's my sister in law (who was in a city 7 hours away) telling me my in-laws are broken down about a mile from my house. It's seems my mother in law was so upset about it, that she called my sister in law thinking she was calling me!

But the angels were with them. Their car had just _stopped_ ~ right in the middle of one of the busiest intersections at that time of day because of the school bus stop. They said, "Seven angels all rushed out to help us." They don't know where they came from, but men flew to their aid from every different angle of the road! The fellows got their car secured on a side road, and one waited until I got there. I ordered a tow truck and got them home.

So all is well, and as always, there is a story to tell!

For Your Entertainment

A special Christmas Light Show ....

Trust me ~ Call the family in and
Just click on the link above,
Enjoy!

Which LOTR Personality Are Thee?

Take the quiz: "LOTR Personality Match W/Excellent Pics"

Arwen
She is said to be the most beautiful of all living beings. Her heart being just as beautiful. You also have a good heart and you walk with a light about your face.

This BlogMate has many fun tests!

Just so you know.....

Notice! There is a serious construction going on within this blog. My friends and I are under great strains of emailing furry to correct the problems within the interiors of the blog.

Please remain clam. Or calm.

All will be well. After all, it's only blog world.

I am looking forward to a good a postive result. Keep the faith.

My best friend came through ~ that's what they do.

And.....Yikes!

Life can just bring it on! We are planning a move to South Florida. A very big change for us...relocating and job change for my husband who is the soul supporter of this family. So we pray daily for God's guidance. But we are moving to be closer to our family. We appreciate, care for, and love our family that much.

Tonight, the young man who wishes to buy my husband's business came over with his father. What a lovely young man! It all just seems too perfect, you know? Ever get scared or nervous with *too perfect*? He seems just a fine young man -- and his father -- you could tell he was a good dad and very interested in his son. And as the father spoke of all his children, you could tell he instilled in them a work ethic, that, I feel, is somehow leaving the youth of today.

Oh! Can life be this good? Can things go so well? Can such a struggle turn into a good and wonderful thing? Only God knows!

Rate My Life

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	6.7
Mind:	6.1
Body:	5.5
Spirit:	8.4
Friends/Family:	7
Love:	9.2
Finance:	7.5
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

I'm not really sure what you say about this one? They did ask me to please write something about Love because they said most people don't score that high ~ I'm not clear on where I picked this up ..Aha HERE.

And tomorrow I'll try to figure out if there is some way to know "could this possibly mean anything?"