Do Overs

Don't you wish you could have do overs? Not so much life do overs...just every once in awhile, wouldn't you like to start your day over?

I'm having one of "those" mornings.  To start, I woke up about 2:30 this morning and really struggled with what day it was. I hate that. I almost reached for my phone to find out, but then I remembered. All this extra time off work for the holidays really messes with you! I woke up and thought, do I have to work today? What day is it? Ugh.  Then, when it WAS time to get up, because my alarm told me it was, I couldn't move. Even after the dogs had breakfast and Pepper jumped up on the bed to say "GET UP", I couldn't move. So I was running 10 minutes late this morning. Thank heavens there isn't any traffic this morning so I wasn't late to work. Next, like almost anyone who works downtown anywhere, you have to park a mile away. Well, that's a slight exaggeration...I probably only have to walk about a city block to get to my office. No big deal, unless it's today. Today, the walk seemed like at least a mile. And it's cold outside. I should have walked over in the tunnels but that takes even longer. THEN, when I got to my building, I realized I left my badge in my car, so I had to go through security and walk extra far to the main lobby so they could let me in. I already need a nap - or some liquor!  :-)

So...what are your plans for New Years Eve? Do you have any? I guess as you get older, you care less about that. Unless you have friends that you like to hang out with. Honestly, I'll be lucky to stay up till Midnight. If I cared, I would be sad that I don't have anything to do - but I don't and I'm not. But if YOU have plans, I hope you have a wonderful time ringing in the new year and that you get laid. Mwahahahaha! The man and the mama and I are going out to dinner, early, and back home. I'll probably have a nap so I can be awake when the clock strikes twelve. I hope I don't turn into a pumpkin. Oh wait, that's a different story, sorry. Anyway, have fun and bee safe out there!!!

crap in the news...

By Daniella Silva, NBC News

The TSA is not monkeying around when it comes to security at St. Louis' airport.

A woman at a checkpoint at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport said she was “appalled and shocked” after a Transportation Security Administration agent confiscated a tiny toy gun belonging to her sock monkey.

Phyllis May of Redmond, Wash., was travelling from St. Louis on Dec. 3 when she noticed a TSA agent inspecting one of her carry-on bags, according to NBC affiliate King 5.

May sells the dolls and had several sock monkeys and sewing supplies in the bag. One of the monkeys, named “Rooster Monkburn,” after John Wayne’s character “Rooster Cogburn” in the movie “True Grit,” is a cowboy with a two-inch long pistol. 

“She said ‘This is a gun,’” May told King 5. “I said 'No, it’s not a gun, it’s a prop for my monkey.'” 

“She said ‘If I held it up to your neck, you wouldn’t know if it was real or not,’ and I said ‘Really?’” May said.

May told King 5 the TSA agent took the monkey’s gun and informed May she was supposed to call the police.

“Rooster Monkburn has been disarmed so I’m sure everyone on the plane was safe,” she told King 5. “I understand she was doing her job, but at some point doesn’t common sense prevail?”

LOVE this story!

http://shine.yahoo.com/parenting/school-s-girl-power-campaign-is-a-hit-215808982.html

UPS is busy during the holidays – SHUT UP! It’s your own fault for waiting until the last minute to have something shipped to your house. And besides, it’s only disappointing, not the end of the world for heavens sake!

More people file for divorce in January than in any other month. I’m sure that means something?

In 2013, Liam and Charlotte were the most popular human baby names. The most popular names for dogs? Max and Bella. Bella, the vampire loving female lead of the Twilight series. I’m sure that means something too J

*******************************************************************************************************

And just let me say, WOW! Really, just WOW!

a whole mess of stuff!

So, my mom mentioned today that I haven't posted anything in a long time. She's right. But it's not because I don't have anything to say...I've just been so busy! You know, when you're retired, you don't have to cram your life into a weekend or a couple hours a night. What a bunch of crap that is! Seriously. But if I were retired, I would probably be just as busy. Only I would be doing FUN stuff!

OK, so here goes;
Trace Adkins at the Palladium was wonderful! I'm always so delightfully surprised when my perception of someone is expanded. Trace Adkins - who sings Honky Tonk Badonkadonk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNVguvNE7qc)  for heavens sake - comes across as a your typical roughneck. Which he was once. But it turns out that he has a genuine passion for music. And his first Christmas album, called The King's Gift, is really different. He did the whole album in his show. Lots of Celtic influence. And Kevin Costner's daughter sings with him and The Chieftains make an appearance. It was really good. Here is a preview clip from YouTube; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW8YGjBmgRw

Next up, Mannheim Steamroller! They were AWESOME! Everyone should have one of their Christmas CD's just because it's so good. I love big music. Really great!

Oh, and I forgot to tell you about Wicked! It had the biggest stage production I've ever been too. Granted, I haven't ever been to a show on "Broadway", but I bet this was pretty close. It was such a fun story about Oz and Glinda and the wicked witch. Here's the stage before the show;

 

and our Glinda and Elphaba

 

And here are the last of the quilled ornaments - I gave them all away except for one;

 

 

 

If you remember, last year I did ALL my shopping online. I didn't go to one single store. Well, I did a lot of my shopping online again this year but I did venture out into the retail masses this year. It wasn't so bad. It was a nice mix :-)

I have lots more but that will do for now.

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

thanksmass...

I hate it when Thanksgiving comes at the very end of November. The time between then and Christmas is just too short! It's already the 13th and I'm not done! And 3 and a 1/2 weeks of Christmas decor isn't enough. I need more joy :-)

This weekend we're getting hit with another winter storm...up to 7" by the time it's done. I know it makes a lot of people grumbly, but I like it! If it's going to be this cold, there better be something to show for it!

Sunday night we'll be off to The Palladium to see Trace Adkins, the voice of God, sing Christmas Carols! Yea!! What could be nicer?

Oh! and the closet/bdrm project? It's coming along nicely. After the totally absurd quote of 3 grand to finish the drywall and texture the ceiling, my man of all trades has done a pretty good job of finishing it himself. He hasn't done the texturing part yet but it already looks acceptable. I got to hang clothes up in the closet last weekend! It's AWESOME!

in the news

The funniest quote I saw about the big winter storm;

"I’m going to get coffee, cigarettes and cat food,” Holly Vines of Little Rock told Reuters, “then I’m going to get my sable coat out of storage in case I have to sleep in it.”

That cracked me UP!!

I didn't even know about cobalt blue dangit!

Cobalt is so 2013. The Pantone color of 2014 is "radiant orchid." (And the crowd goes wild.)

 Researchers at MIT have discovered the world's hardest tongue twister. “Pad Kid Poured Curd Pulled Cold” is so hard to say, no test subjects could repeat it ten times fast. In fact, some people's brains shut down and they stopped talking altogether. Lead MIT researcher, Dr. Stefanie Shattuck-Hufnagel, will present her research on alternating repetitive tongue twisters at 166th meeting of the Acoustical Society Of America this week.    The reason no one can say this is because it's stupid. It doesn't make any sense at all. At least Peter Piper made sense! 

I don't even know what I can say about this;

What do the president of Syria, Pope Francis and Tea Party darling Ted Cruz have in common with Miley Cyrus and Edward Snowden, the American fugitive who leaked thousands of classified documents to the press?

They’re all among the top 10 finalists for Time’s Person of the Year, the magazine revealed Monday on TODAY.

The iconic title ultimately will go to the individual chosen by Time editors as someone who has, for better or worse, had the most impact on the world and the news for the past year.

This year’s short list includes a wide variety of finalists, from heads of state to Cyrus, who ranked high in the weekly magazine’s public poll. 

“Power is not just political. It can be cultural, it can be spiritual,” said Nancy Gibbs, Time’s managing editor. Cyrus “came in like a wrecking ball, literally” she said, referring to the entertainer's hit song and the risqué video that continued to keep her in the public spotlight. "At a time when you’re living with an explosion of exhibitionism since we all now carry cameras with us at all times, she is a symbol of the way we live.”

Time will announce Wednesday who it selected as 2013 Person of the Year on TODAY.

dashing through the...

...ice and slush and snow.

So, the first big winter storm is barreling through the Midwest now. It’s name is Cleon. Cleon? When did they start naming winter storms? And where in the world is Cleon a real name??

In Minot North Dakota, the high tomorrow is MINUS 6. Holy crap!! And it’s only the start of December! Brrrrrrrrr

In Anchorage Alaska, the high tomorrow is 36.

In Honolulu Hawaii, the high tomorrow is 79.

In my world tomorrow, it will be snowing and icy and 30ish.

We’ve had a couple crazy mild winters so I think we’re in for it this year!

I’ll bee prepared, will you??

Service

What's the deal!? Seriously. If you run a business and someone actually wants to give you their hard earned money in exchange for your service...do it.
Geesh. It shouldn't be this hard to give my money away!!

Remember, at the end of October when a tree limb put a hole in our roof? That was on October 31st.
Finally they send out a guy to do the estimate and finally they schedule the repair...for last Thursday. The guy called and said there was an emergency and he would be out Saturday. He called Saturday and said something came up but he would be out first thing Monday. He called yesterday and said the heat went out in his truck and he wouldn't get it back from the shop until last night so he would be out today. It's 4:00 and he hasn't shown up yet. So I called them up. Really, they're a BIG company...'A' rated on Angie's List. I had to leave a message.

So, I'm calling someone else. Maybe they'll want my money!

More fun with paint

I keep forgetting to post the last Wine and Canvas paintings! It was extra fun this last time because there were 8 of us! And for a bunch of non- painters, we did an excellent job!

Some of us got a little creative with the stream and made a path instead :-)

Happy Thanksgiving!

What could I possibly have to share with you this Thanksgiving? Hmmm. Let's see. There must be something. What was it? OH! I know...EVERYTHING!!

Whether you're busy cleaning or cooking, shopping or sleeping, eating or watching the game, take a moment and think about all the things you have to be grateful for. Don't cheat and just say "everything" either. Not that everything doesn't count but I want you to pick out some of those small (or big) things that make you smile. Those people that brighten your day. Those moments that make you happy or sigh blissfully with contentment. All of those things that make your day or life, nicer/better/more pleasant. The ones that you would miss if they suddenly disappeared from your life.

Some of my little things are;
* When someone brings their mini me to work. It's always great to have fresh people in the office.
* Quilling paper or colored paper and my cool little paper cutter
* Christmas music 24/7
* Autumn leaves, snow that sparkles, sunshine...oh who am I kidding, I love ALL the seasons!
* Wine and Canvas with my Mom
* Pinterest. No, seriously! I have an entire make believe environment on Pinterest and it's awesome!
* Peach yogurt
* Funny people
* Big band and Swing music on Saturday and Sunday morning.
* Sugar (Surprise!!)
* Beer battered french fries from The Stacked Pickle
* Any Disney cartoon
* Courteous drivers, so rare these days
* Greta and Pepper, our dogs, who find my mere existence the most joyful thing in the world...right after food
* The keypad on our front door - not having a key to get in is still fantastic even 5 years later!
* Staycations - just as good as vacations when you're trying to get things done around the house

The big things on my list, and they are pretty big;
* My Mom celebrated the BIG 5 year mark, cancer free!! Woohoo!
* My husband will celebrate 3 years cancer free next month. His doctor is really optimistic now. I never stopped being optimistic.
* My job, when so many are without
* Our home. And thanks to my very own live in handy man extraordinaire, we now have a great walk-in closet in our newly (almost finished) remodeled master suite! Yessssss!
* My family, pseudo and real. Close and far away. All of them contribute something wonderful and unique to the world.

Every single day I'm thankful for all the blessings in my life. The big ones, silly ones, special ones and small ones. My life is filled with so much more than I need. Every day I am profoundly thankful for the love that surrounds me. It really does make the world go 'round.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
It's a good life, bee happy

Big hugs,
Cynthia

Home renovations day 47...

...I wish I had something new to add.  Oh wait, he did get the last of the drywall up and this week called somebody to come out and quote a job for finishing the seams and texturing the ceiling. At least it's progress. I think he's been a little side tracked about the roof? You know, the night before we left for the Ozarks, there was a BIG storm. In the morning he went out to check the roof and sure enough there were several giant branches strewn about and a couple holes in the roof. Well, of course everyone was going to charge an arm and a leg, so he put on a tempory fix and off we went;

The things that concerns ME the most right now are these;

That is the top of the tree to the left. It's the biggest one yet. We really need to do something about that one.

Anyway...it was a lovely drive once we got out of the city;

Last time we went, we took the long way. This time we went through St. Louis;

And on the way back, we kept seeing these billboards that said, "Candy Factory" and "World's Largest Gift Store" You know I had to stop right?!?!?! The candy store was a bust and the gift shop was fun in a kitschy sort of way. It was pretty dang big!

But there was an * after the word Store and I never did find out what it meant. Some kind of disclaimer I'm sure.

Dream a little dream...

I have the craziest dreams sometimes. Vivid. Colorful. Random.

Occasionally they’re just wacky alien invasion dreams. Those are fun because I’m usually the super hero in those! Or I’m the person who can reason with the aliens.

Once in a while I have a serious nightmare that Bill will wake me up from. Twice it was because I was crying hysterically! Those nightmares are always about being totally alone. Can’t find my husband, someone stole the dogs. They’re awful!!

Then of course there’s those flying dreams. LOVE those!!

But those dreams about spiders or losing your teeth are the WORST!

Last night I had a dream that just made me feel so nice when I woke up. I woke up smiling! *sigh* If you know the morning me, this would have impressed you. It was about this Italian Greek sculptor that did the most amazing beautiful sculptures. They made me cry they were so beautiful. They were conceptual, smooth, flowing, stirring, intense sculptures of people, couples and lovers. Oh yeah, and we were in love. But we weren’t ‘involved’ I don’t know what that means. Aaaand, in my dream I was single…and younger…and thinner…and taller…and I had black hair.  Fun, right?!

Sorry honey.

signs

This song came out in 1970. I suppose it was relevant then. 40+ years later and it's still relevant. I was thinking about it over the weekend while we were in the Ozarks. Besides being there solely to visit relatives, the changing leaves were a fantastic perk. But more than that, there's something to be said for an easy way of life. You forget how noisy your environment is until you remove yourself from it. You forget how much activity there is around you until you're alone. And I don't mean alone in your room or alone in your car. I mean ALONE, by yourself, no other human beings around you. No TV, no radio, no white noise. You forget, or maybe you've never seen it, how blue the sky really is. It's something to behold. This trip though, I was struck by the freedom of the 'backwoods'. Imagine, growing your own produce department where you get ripe and fresh vegetables right outside your door. Imagine fresh eggs for breakfast whenever you want. Imagine walking off your patio and taking aim at tin cans with no worries of who is going to turn you in. You can pretty much do whatever you want. How great is that!?!?

There are TOO many signs in the world today. Too many rules. Too many bossy people!
It sure was nice to get away!!!



And the sign said "Long-haired freaky people need not apply"
So I tucked my hair up under my hat and I went in to ask him why
He said "You look like a fine upstanding young man, I think you'll do"
So I took off my hat, I said "Imagine that. Huh! Me workin' for you!"
Whoa-oh-oh

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

And the sign said anybody caught trespassin' would be shot on sight
So I jumped on the fence and-a yelled at the house, "Hey! What gives you
the right?" "To put up a fence to keep me out or to keep mother nature in"
"If God was here he'd tell you to your face, Man, you're some kinda sinner"

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

Now, hey you, mister, can't you read?
You've got to have a shirt and tie to get a seat
You can't even watch, no you can't eat
You ain't supposed to be here
The sign said you got to have a membership card to get inside
Ugh!

And the sign said, "Everybody welcome. Come in, kneel down and pray"
But when they passed around the plate at the end of it all, I didn't have a
penny to pay
So I got me a pen and a paper and I made up my own little sign
I said, "Thank you, Lord, for thinkin' 'bout me. I'm alive and doin' fine."

Sign, sign, everywhere a sign
Blockin' out the scenery, breakin' my mind
Do this, don't do that, can't you read the sign?

In the news....

This is the big news story today.  We've been waiting 3 years for this.  
He was driving 76 miles an hour to assist other officers on a NON emergency call. Regardless, how the hell do you drive into a group of motorcyclists, stopped in the left hand turn lane, at the light? How can you NOT see that they aren't moving? And really?...you're gonna blow through a signal on a city street without slowing down? Uh huh. Anyway, I really appreciate the county prosecutor's statement. Lest we forget ourselves and start acting all crazy.

Indianapolis police officer David Bisard was found guilty today of all nine felony charges he faced in a 2010 vehicle accident that killed one motorcyclist and severely injured two others.
The 12-year Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department veteran faces years in prison after being convicted of drunken driving, reckless homicide and other charges.
He crashed his squad car into a group of motorcyclists on Indianapolis’ Northeastside rushing to assist other officers on a non-emergency call.

The mother Eric Wells, who died in the crash, held back tears and rubbed her husband's back as the verdict was read.

Bisard showed little expression. He slowly shook his head.

Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said in a statement that there is “no reason to celebrate today.”

“The events of August 6, 2010, are without question a tragedy for all involved. It is an unimaginable tragedy for the family of Eric Wells – his wife Luisa and his parents Aaron and Mary. It is a horrible tragedy for Mary Mills and Kurt Weekly, whose lives are forever altered. But it is also a tragedy for the family of Officer Bisard, Officer Bisard himself, and our police department.

“We take no pleasure in prosecuting a police officer, and it certainly should never be suggested that Officer Bisard is an evil person. However, all of us – whether a police officer, attorney, teacher, or otherwise – must accept responsibility for our actions. The message of the jury’s verdict is that Officer Bisard must accept such responsibility and be held accountable for his actions on that day.”

Happy Halloween!

Seriously? NO WAY!!

Wow. Obviously this list was made by some freaky chocolate lover!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/28/the-9-most-hated-halloween-treats_n_4161975.html

Candy Corn? I LOVE Candy Corn. And Smarties!?!? You know, you can only get those 3lb bags full of Smarties at Halloween. I got one for my brother for Christmas because Smarties are HIS favorite! Most hated? Na uh. And anything that isn't edible?? What?? I can tell you from experience that that's NOT true. Mom and I give away toys or little stuffed animals every year and all of those little monsters and goblins LOVE them! Ha! Lists are stupid.

What?

A few weeks ago, Mom, Bill and I decided to try one of the local breakfast buffets. At the very least, all you could eat bacon would have made it worth it for me J

When we found a table and sat down, I thought to myself, “that was pretty cheap. I wonder if she forgot one of us”.

So I looked at the receipt.

I don’t mind the discount, I guess, but really???? I look like a senior? That’s it! I’m gonna color my hair.

Guns and drywall

Home renovations stink – when you’re doing it yourself. Everything takes soooo long to do. Saturday he spent most of the day in the attic moving the wiring for a light switch and running wires so we can have light in the new closet. It was a lot of work and if it had been up to me, there would be no light because no way in hell would I be crawling around in the insulation! Usually I’m a patient person when it comes to things like that. But now? Well…I’m sick and tired of NOT having a closet! It’s been FOUR weeks now. OK, granted, after the first week he’s only been working on it during the weekends because who wants to work after working all day? I get that. And he missed a full weekend because he was on call. But geez! I can’t find my shoes and my clothes are spread out all over the house! Humph. Da mama aint happy. All of that being said, having a handy DIYer in the house is sure saving us a TON of money! And I really, really do appreciate having a husband that do just about anything. He stinks at drywall finishing though. Yesterday, after  a couple of hours of sanding and cleaning up he had to touch up the corners. By last night he had decided that they need to be completely redone. I hate drywall.

Are you a gun owner? I didn’t know this but if you are a gun owner it’s a little like eating potato chips…you can’t have just one. Why? Oh right, I keep forgetting. Zombies and/or a revolution. Uh huh. I’ve also heard, is it possible for a woman to own ONE purse? Well of course not. But for that very reason, woman don’t tend to spend hundreds of dollars on ONE purse. Also, I’m a little worried about what he’s going to obsess over next! I love his passion though. Honestly he’s a walking gun encyclopedia. It’s really impressive!

I wish he would find a hobby that he could sustain in his retired years. Because gun shopping won’t be on the list.  Neither will home renovations!

in the news...

Rawr! This one was just too funny to pass up J

If you're heading to the zoo in Surrey, England, leave your leopard print at home. Saying they believe clothing featuring animal prints confuses the animals, Chessington World of Adventures has issued a zero tolerance policy on visitors wearing the prints. The zoo will have clothing to borrow for anyone sporting an animal print.

Did you see this story? Oh man…it broke my heart! But…now it has a happy ending! Whew!!

Foster child asks church for new parents: 'I'll take anyone' [UPDATED]

Could someone please pass the Kleenex? We just found ourselves a new role model for bravery: Davion Navar Henry Only, who wants a family so much that he went before a crowded St. Petersburg, Fla., church and asked if someone would please adopt him. Davion was born into Florida's foster care system 15 years ago, and he found out earlier this year that his birth mother died. A touching story in the Tampa Bay Times reports that Davion decided God helps those who help themselves, so with the help of his case worker, he stood up in front of the congregation at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church one Sunday last month and asked for a new mom or dad. ''I'll take anyone," Davion told the Times. "Old or young, dad or mom, black, white, purple. I don't care. And I would be really appreciative. The best I could be." So far, two couples have shown an interest in Davion, and we're wishing him a happy ending very soon. As he said when he took the stage last month: "I know God hasn't given up on me. So I'm not giving up either." Update: Davion will "without a doubt" be getting a new family, his caseworker, Connie Going, said on "The View." The agency that represents him has received more than 10,000 requests from people seeking to adopt him. Going said that Davion will be part of the process of choosing his family. "He knows what he wants, who he can connect to," she said. "We need strong families that understand teenagers."

MSN pulled a list of the worst Halloween candy out of the air;

Snickers

Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins

Candy corn

M&Ms candy corn white chocolate candies

Tootsie Pops

Starburst

Sour Patch Kids

Fun Dip

Skittles

Sugary bubble gum

I think it’s silly but who am I to say what appropriate grieving is?!

Here’s the link to the whole story;

http://www.wthr.com/story/23755631/2013/10/22/ohio-family-fights-cemetery-over-spongebob-monuments

A soldier's family is battling a cemetery for the right to erect two unusual monuments in her honor.

  

CINCINNATI, OH -

A soldier's family is battling a cemetery for the right to erect two unusual monuments in her honor.

Kimberly Walker loved the cartoon character Spongebob. So when the Army soldier died, police say at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, her family erected monuments of the animated character.

Her family says it is the perfect tribute, but the cemetery disagrees.

"We went through the channels to get these plots and also to get these monuments and then you just turn around and walk away like we're nothing," said Deborah Walker, Kimberly's mother.

I love to quill. Yep, I do.

OK, so I thought I might have some trouble with this one. It's 6 sided and I wasn't sure how the little edges were going to come out. But it turned out to be alright. I have a couple of these and I wasn't sure if I would use them. I'll do another one though. It's differen and it wasn't as complicated as I thought it would be.