Happy New Year's Eve!

Good morning everyone. I failed to blog yesterday but that was to be expected. Let's get you caught up.

DAAAAAYAAAAM! The wait at the Hoover DAAAAAYAAAAM started after the police checkpoint. All was flowing smoothly and then at mile marker 4, the brake lights went on ahead of me. It took a full one and a half hours to drive from mile marker 4 to mile marker 1. At one point I saw a young man exit from a car a five cars ahead and disappear into the desert environs. I suspect he was running off to exercise his bladder. Anyway, before he returned the cars creeped forward (five car lengths) so when he did return he was easily able to return to his car and family. He was running but there was no need. Quite frankly, I was thinking that #1 son should take the dogs for a walk and meet us up by the DAAAAYAAAAAM. Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed on the DAAAAAYAAAAAM.

We dropped the dogs off at my folks place and hurried on to Sam's Town. No time to visit. It was already 4 PM, Vegas time which means that it took us (taking into account the favorable time change) a full eight hours to drive to Vegas this time. We checked into our room. And then...well, no jackpots yet. We had supper at Billy Bob's. This time even their lobster tails were dry. Oh well, I had my oysters and they couldn't ruin those.

We'll be heading down to breakfast soon. HTP and I have a special party to go to here at the casino at 5 PM. I already got my special gift. I think I'm going to keep this gift. They gave us two very special crystal champagne flutes. Gorgeous! I gave the champagne flutes that they gave us two years ago to my daughter. I'm already wondering if I can get a couple more of these beautiful flutes from them? It's always nice to have at least four but I'll live with the two for right now.

I've got champagne all ready to chill. We'll be back up in our room before the New Year arrives. Our tradition is to safely watch the fireworks go off from the windows out in the hall of our hotel. The sounds of revelry will seep up from the downstairs casino.

Again....


Happy New Year!

Word of the Day

Invisiboogie - When you feel like you have a booger in your nose but you really don't.

I'm packing, I'm packing already. I really should make a list but I think I've got almost everything that we'll need. I packed two bottles of champagne and three champagne flutes. I gave #1 son some money to buy munchies. We're heading for Las Vegas to ring in the New Year. We'll be heading out of here tomorrow morning.

Now...as for blogging while we're in Vegas. I'm going to have to do battle in order to use the laptop. With two techies in residence, HTP and #1 son, I will be low man on the totem pole when it comes to using the laptop. So, if I do get to the laptop, checking my email and DD daughter and her hubby's blogs come first and second, checking the Marine Support Boards come third, finding the time to fit in a blog entry comes fourth. Win, Place, Show. Blogging may just have to wait until next year but I'll try. Just in case......


Happy New Year!



Murphyism of the Day

Sodd's Second Law

Sooner or later, the worst possible set of circumstances is bound to occur.

Corollary

Any system must be designed to withstand the worst possible set of circumstances.

Word of the Day

Invigoraching - Invigorating to the point that it becomes painful.

HTP learned much about the new toy that I got him for Christmas. Believe, there is a lot to learn about these satellite radios. He set it up near our bed and I've been playing. Last night I was able to listen to Coast to Coast without the usual static, invasion from Mars, noise. I discovered that though the comedy channel is really funny, it isn't conducive to sleep. So...back to Coast to Coast. HTP hooked it up in the car. His initial reaction was that the sound was tinny. However, the main reason for this toy is that we travel long distances and at times local radio just doesn't exist. You can only listen to the same CD's so many times before you've got them memorized. We're going to give HTP's new toy a workout soon. The drive to Las Vegas contains a lot of dead air spots. I'm going to introduce HTP to the Laugh Radio Station.

I've been feeling a bit teary today. Last night we found out that DD daughter's horse passed away. I know how much she loved that horse. When I was young, I wanted to own a horse but there never seemed to be a time or place. HTP, though he loves me, doesn't really like animals, large dogs are one of those animals that he particularly dislikes, and to HTP, a horse is one of the biggest dogs out there. Once you know this fact, you know how much HTP loves me because I have two little dogs and he doesn't complain too much. He even tolerated the presence of a cat and then cats. I'm happy that DD daughter made the time and found the place to realize the dream of owning her own horse. I know that she'll find the time and place again someday.

I've started to put away the Christmas stuff. I fear that the key word in that last sentence was "started". Oh well, it was a start. I sorted out all the wonderful Christmas cards people sent. Read them once again. And then created gift tags for next Christmas. My Mom taught me the importance of recycling. The gift wrap, bows and tags are all stored away in the garage until next Christmas. I'm not in a great hurry to strip the house of Christmas decorations. I'll work on it a bit each day but I'm going to do the real work after we get back from Vegas.

#1 son got me a new/used spritz maker for Christmas this year. Actually, he got me three of them. He was covering his bases, knowing that these spritz makers are notorious for not working. Anyway, he's anxious for me to make some spritz cookies so we can figure out which of these makers actually work. Add another thing to the after Vegas list. I've still got so many cookies here that I just don't feel like making any cookies for a while. I promised #1 son that we'd give them each a workout next year....not next Christmas....next year, after we get back from Vegas and before #1 son has to return to college. I'll send the cookies back with him so he can share with his roomie and study partners.

Murphyism of the Day

Sodd's First Law

When a person attempts a task, he will be thwarted in that task by the unconscious intervention of some other presence (animate or inanimate). Nevertheless, some tasks are completed, since the intervening presence is itself attempting a task and is, of course, subject to interference.

Word of the Day

Intouristing - What a tourist likes to see or do.

Laundry Day. But I didn't get started on that immediately at the crack of dawn. Almost, but not quite.

DD daughter got all packed up and hit the road. I'm assuming that she's there by now but we haven't heard. I'm not really expecting to hear from her. If her horse is OK, then I'm sure she's spending time with her horse before heading back to her apartment. If her horse isn't OK, well then...I won't even think about that but I doubt that we'll hear for a while at least. It's always a lot easier to pass on happy news than sad news.

#1 son poked his head out a couple of times. He's not feeling too well today. Last night he was complaining about a sore throat. Par for the course. It seems that HTP's genes dictate that anytime a person can relax from work or school, they'll get sick. In other words, my kids, HTP, HTP's sister and his entire family only get sick when they're on vacation or when they have time to be sick.

I've got a new toy. It came in the mail today though HTP got it for me for Christmas. It's a beverage/wine cooler. It'll cool a bottle of wine in 3 minutes. Since I had to try it out to see if it will actually work, I'm sipping on the a glass of the first bottle I chilled...as I blog. It works! Only...it won't work for champagne so when we're in Vegas over New Year's, I'm going to have to employ the old-fashioned method of cooling down our champagne in a waste basket full of ice. Hey! It may not work quickly but it works. Anyway, I find that you can chill a can of Coke with this machine as well as a bottle of beer, besides the wine. The thing is that I love white wine but it always takes a certain amount of planning. Now? Woohoo! I can have white wine in three minutes as long as I have a supply of it in my liquor cabinet. I may have to go out and buy a wine rack.

I note that another new Christmas toy is busy glowing out in the garden. A friend of mine got me a really neat frog. He's solar powered. Anyway, he reclines in my garden and it looks like he's been noshing on fireflies because his tummy is all alight. Really cute. I've always been reluctant to get these solar powered light things because when they first came out they didn't work too well. I may have to rethink this policy because my new frog is glowing brightly.

Murphyism of the Day

Silverman's Paradox

If Murphy's Law can go wrong, it will.

Word of the Day

Interdet - Spending too much money on the internet and getting into debt.

I wish I could tell you that today was a super wonderful day. It started out OK. But...

DD daughter got a call from the stable where she boards her horse. There was an accident and now DD daughter is having to face the possibility that her horse may have to be put down tomorrow. We're praying otherwise.

I don't really feel like a Murphyism right now. There are times that they're just too true.

Human Imponderable of the Day

How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?

We've had a full day and we're just getting ready to sit down to our Christmas dinner.

Merry Christmas to All...and to all a good night.

(I'll blog tomorrow...or maybe, well, DD daughter thought it would be cool to go out shopping)

Word of the Day

Insumnia - Miscounting sheep.

Twas the day before Christmas and all through the house....

DD daughter is sleeping and so is #1 son. HTP is reading the paper going through computer withdrawal pains because DD daughter is sleeping in his office and he can't get at his computer. I've made breakfast, am sipping on my second cup of coffee, and am considering whether or not I should set out a plate of cookies, knowing that they may just be too great of a temptation for HTP to resist.

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

We'll be dashing about a plenty in a couple of hours. #1 son has to be at church at around 4 PM. Since it takes about 30 minutes to get to the church, that means that we need to leave our home at around 3 PM. Now...add "getting ready" time and you've got us jumping around at 1:30 PM. DD daughter plans to wear her dress uniform and told me that she really NEEDS to play with my iron. Me? I plan to wear a suit. HTP tells me that it's too hot for him to wear a sweater.

We'll be rendevousing with Arizona daughter and her hubby at the church. #1 son will be playing for the 5 PM service with the brass ensemble. After church, we're all going to have supper at Outback. It seems that this has become a tradition. Woohoo! No cooking for me. We'll come back here afterwards and open our Christmas Eve presents, nosh on Christmas cookies, drink coffee laced with Bailey's, and spend time conversing.

Then after all that clatter....

Santa will come and fill the stockings with care, adding colorful presents spilling over under our Charlie Brown tree. And then I'll be dreaming of a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer, with a little old driver, so lively and quick, flying away in his sleigh like the down on a thistle. And I know I'll hear, as I dream of sugarplums and dancing fairies, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Murphyism of the Day

Scott's First Law

No matter what goes wrong, it will probably look right.

Word of the Day

Insongnia - The reason singers work late into the night.

Errands. #1 son wanted a haircut. He snuck in under the wire and got his haircut just before the barbershop was getting ready to close. The barber closed for the day right after that. After that we braved the stores so that #1 son could finish up his Christmas shopping. Done.

I'm making turkey with all the fixings for supper tonight. I've got to get this blogged so I can get started on that. #1 son didn't have a true Thanksgiving dinner this year so I thought I'd try to squeeze it in while he's here before the dinner I plan to make for Christmas.

Right now #1 son is at a brass ensemble practice. He's going to be playing his trumpet tomorrow at one of the Christmas Eve services.

HTP told me that DD daughter is on her way. I expect to see her in another hour or so...traffic not-withstanding. I'm making one of her favorite side dishes. Green bean casserole.

Murphyism of the Day

Chisholm's First Law

When things are going well, something will go wrong.

Corollaries

1. When things just can't get any worse, they will.
2. Anytime things appear to be going better, you have overlooked something.

Word of the Day

Insoctrination - Forcing people to wear socks when they don't want to.

HTP went to pick #1 son up at the airport. I'm holding down the fort, keeping the home fires burning, watching the dogs, fielding whatever problems that may arise...you get the idea. Anyway, I know that #1 son's plane has landed. He called and HTP and #1 son are off to the grocery store. I expect that they'll be home in about an hour. The grocery list that I gave HTP was extensive.

DD daughter contacted us to let us know that she won't be able to get here until tomorrow night. Apparently she has to remain at Pendlton and show up for formation tomorrow morning at 08:00. Oh well...Semper Gumby.

Murphyism of the Day

O'Tooles Commentary on Murphy's Law

Murphy was an optimist.

Word of the Day

Innostigatience - Innocent looking while instigating others to cause trouble.

I made the fudge. Now, I'm done. Really. The kitchen floor has been scrubbed clean. I'm ready for company. And while I've been baking and cleaning this week and last, #1 son has been busy studying and taking finals. I thought I'd share this little funny that I found that made me think of #1 son and remember the same trials that HTP and I went through when we were younger, taking classes and finals at the very same college as #1 son.

The Night Before Finals

'Twas the night before finals, and all through the college,
The students were praying for last minute knowledge.
Most were quite sleepy, but none touched their beds,
While visions of essays danced in their heads.
Out in the taverns, a few were still drinking,
And hoping that liquor would loosen their thinking.
In my own apartment, I had been pacing,
And dreading exams I soon would be facing.
My roommate was speechless, his nose in his books,
And my comments to him drew unfriendly looks.
I drained all the coffee, and brewed a new pot,
No longer caring that my nerves were shot.
I stared at my notes, but my thoughts were muddy,
My eyes were a blur, I just couldn't study.
"Some pizza might help, "I said with a shiver,
But each place I called refused to deliver.
I'd nearly concluded that life was too cruel,
With futures depending on grades had in school.
When all of a sudden, our door opened wide,
And Patron Saint Put It off Ambled inside.
His spirit was careless, his manner was mellow,
He looked down at me, and started to bellow:
"What kind of student would make such a fuss,
To toss back at teachers what they tossed at us?"
"On Cliff Notes! On Crib Notes! On Last Year's Exams!
On Wingit and Slingit, and last minute crams!"
His message delivered, he vanished from sight,
But we heard him laughing outside in the night.
"Your teachers have pegged you, so just do your best,
Happy Finals to All, And to All, a Good Test!"

Murphyism of the Day

Murphy's Comment

When things go wrong, don't go with them.

Word of the Day

Infuritate - To irritate and infuriate.

Woohoo! I'm finished with all my baking! #1 son's favorite meringue cookies and a couple of batches of Italian Pizzelle. Now I just have to find homes for all this stuff. My dining room table is laden with cookie tins and I'm all confused as to where all this stuff is supposed to go. I'll worry about all that tomorrow. Right now I've got to finish up the laundry. I'll worry about the cleaning tomorrow too. The kitchen floor (flour) really needs scrubbing.

Murphyism of the Day

Dr. Who's Rule

First things first, but not necessarily in that order.

Word of the Day

Infonoxious - More information than you ever wanted.

I am getting incredibly tired of having to run out to get stuff at the grocery store. They're starting to get entirely too familiar with me there. "What did you forget this time?" Cream of Tartar. I ran out of cream of tartar! I've got two more recipes of stuff that I need to make before my kids get here later this week and one of those recipes calls for cream of tartar. It wouldn't be so bad but I KNEW that I needed cream of tartar because I'd used it all up when I made the brown sugar cookies which I STILL have to decorate. Oh well...back to the store for me. I returned the roasted in the shell peanuts that I bought the other day while I was at it. Silly me. I thought they were salted. They didn't say salt-free so I thought they'd be salted. Wrong. So, while I was out buying cream of tartar, I bought SALTED peanuts, in the shell.

Murphyism of the Day

Addendum to Murphy's Law

You never run out of things that can go wrong.

Word of the Day

Inbetweedle - Used when unable to decided whether to say in between or in the middle.

I played my clarinet today with our church orchestra. Two services. That's really not too much for me to handle on a normal basis but...I burned my lip the other day when I was making peanut brittle. I now have a cracked and bleeding lip. Oh well, one must make some sacrifices. I just wish it didn't have to be a blood sacrifice.

On my way home from church, I made yet another stop at the grocery store. I have a hankering for pot roast. So, I bought a roast. Since it'll take four hours to cook, I started the process as soon as I got home. After about 30 minutes, HTP called me into his office and asked what smelled so awful. What?! I thought my roast smelled wonderful. "My pot roast smells awful?!" "OH! You're making pot roast?", he asked. "I thought you were making cookies. Nevermind, that's OK, it smells great." Apparently, the smell and his thought that I was making a strange new recipe of cookies just didn't compute. To him I was making some cookies and they really smelled horrible. Once he realized that I was making pot roast, his nose computer was back on track.

I decided to take a day off from baking cookies. I'll resume my baking marathon tomorrow. Well, maybe I'll just make a couple of batches of brownies. Later tonight after supper. Right now I need a nap.

Murphyism of the Day

Leahy's Law

If a thing is done wrong often enough, it becomes right.

Word of the Day

Immewnity - No prosecution for catnapping.

It seems that I've spending a great deal of time in grocery stores. Thankfully, there is a grocery store only five minutes away...by car. Unfortunately, I don't always have a car on hand. HTP and I only have one car. Actually, we only REALLY need the one car if we plan things right. I ran out of sugar. Again. Yesterday, it was flour. I made six batches of peanut brittle last night so I guess a sugar shortage was to be expected. I had just enough to make one batch of fruitcake bars this morning. So anyway, we combined the grocery shopping with some other shopping that needed doing.

HTP had some shopping to do so I decided to go with him. He needed to get me a new keyboard for my computer. My old keyboard was working fine but you couldn't read the letters on the keys anymore. I'm a touch-typer so this doesn't usually bother me but sometimes, if I'm not in touch-type mode and someone asks me to type an E or a D or whatever, I'd have to really think about where it was located on my poor old keyboard. Who'd have thought that I'd actually wear off the letters on my keyboard? Must be all this blogging. Anyway, the new keyboard feels a bit strange but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I'm going to make another batch of fruitcake bars. I LIKE FRUITCAKE!!!!! I refuse to apologize for that fact. I like lots of things. I don't like tripe or menudo. I really don't like kidneys. And, even though I happen to like liver with onions, I can't stand chicken livers or turkey livers and forget Foie Gras. Foie Gras reminds me of that icky fat that used to come attached to the pork chops that my Mom used to make me eat. I used to try and hide it under the plate when she wasn't looking. If our dogs weren't so well trained, I would have slipped it to them. I like vegetables, broccoli included. I like poultry of every kind, red meat or every kind, most fish...I don't like salmon unless it's smoked...and I like the other white meat. I love raw oysters. I love sushi and sashimi. I love deep, dark, rich chocolate. And...I LIKE FRUITCAKE!!!! I don't find myself craving it in the middle of the night but somehow Christmas just isn't the same without a nice piece of fruitcake along with a cup of coffee or tea.

Murphyism of the Day

Bloch's Corollary

If everything can go wrong, it will.

Word of the Day

Ignoration - The act or process of ignoring; the state of ignoring.

I really hate making spritz. This wasn't always the case. I used to make wonderful spritz cookies. Actually, I still make wonderful spritz cookies. They just don't LOOK wonderful. Ever since HTP's mom used my spritz-maker...way back when #1 son was just a tot...my spritz-maker just doesn't work quite right. So? I bought a new spritz-maker. That one doesn't work right either. I haven't been able to fine a spritz-maker that works just right. Oh well. They taste good. I made a double batch of vanilla spritz ribbons, a batch of green pudgy Christmas trees, and a batch of wreaths.

I'm going to make peanut brittle after supper. I was going to make it this afternoon but HTP bought the wrong type of dry-roasted peanuts. I had no idea that they made a salt-free version so I just asked HTP to get me a couple of jars of dry-roasted peanuts. If I'd known that there was a salt-free version, I would have specified. Get me the ones with salt. Oh well...I needed to go out shopping anyway. We were able to exchange the peanuts and I got some candied fruit for my fruitcake. Hey! I happen to like fruitcake! And I got more flour. It's amazing how much flour I've gone through in the last few days. And eggs. And sugar. And margarine.

Murphyism of the Day

Schnatterly's Summing-up of the Corollaries

If anything can't go wrong, it will.

Word of the Day

Idget - A dorky, but all around lovable person.

Today was a very important day. The Iraqi's voted. I'm praying that this will be a turning point for our troops over there. GI Joe will be celebrating Christmas this year in Iraq. This is reality. He's supposed to be in Iraq until sometime next November. My thoughts and prayers are with all of our military serving in Iraq, and throughout the world. May God Bless them and keep them safe. Thank you for your service and the sacrifices that you and your families make each and everyday.

I spent the morning cleaning and removing cat hair from the former Camp Furball. The room is now ready once again for guests.

Baking. I made Brown Sugar Cookies today. That takes time. I made two batches of them since I'll have all three of my children home for Christmas. This is one recipe that I HAVE to make each year. This year I was a bit lazy and didn't roll them out as thin as I have in years past. Each recipe yielded 10 and 1/2 dozen shaped cookies. I'll start the decorating process tomorrow but I'm going to make sure to keep some aside for our traditional cookie decorating festivities when my son gets home.

HTP just called. He stopped at the store on his way home, knowing that I would be needing more baking supplies. I'm down to my last stick of margarine. There are only three eggs left in the fridge. I think I have enough flour. Well...tomorrow I'll make Spritz. I think I've got enough fixings for that. At least I'll have the car tomorrow should my estimate be too optimistic.

Murphyism of the Day

Benedict's Principle

Nature always sides with the hidden flaw.

Word of the Day

Hugsitation - That awkward pause when one can't decide whether to greet someone with a handshake or a hug.

HTP posed a question to me the other day. He was rather hesitant because...well...I was a bit adamant (to say the least) when the subject of my DD daughter's cats came up when it became apparent that she wouldn't be granted BAH (housing allowance) because her husband wasn't with her. She'd have to stay in the barracks. I guess no-one cares that her husband can't be there. He's deployed in Iraq. So at their own expense, they're paying for the storage of all there household goods. And? Now, they're paying for an apartment, out of their small military salaries. Don't get me started. That's a whole issue that I just don't want to get into because my blood pressure just goes nuts.

But, to HTP, the key word here is "apartment". DD daughter has an apartment now. He posed the question (hesitantly), "What about taking a roadtrip to take DD's cats to her? We could drive to Pendleton, spend the night, drop off the cats and the rest of DD's things, and come back the next day." Well, normally this would sound just fine but.... I'm in the middle of a marathon baking session. I do not have time to take a trip out to the coast. Plus, we'd have to take the dogs with us too. So? We consulted with DD daughter. She sounded really excited about having her cats back. Fine. But...I can't go. I'd lose three days of baking time, plus, I just couldn't see traveling six hours with three cats and two dogs. HTP decided to go by himself. Well...actually...not by himself. HTP and DD's three cats left this morning on a road trip to Pendleton.

I packed up all of DD's stuff and loaded it into The Gator. Ten minutes before HTP wanted to leave, I loaded the MiMao, Taye, and Todd into their kennel. I cleaned up the litter box and loaded it into The Gator, along with their water dish and food dish. HTP loaded the kennel into The Gator. Too heavy for me to carry. I mean, each of DD's cats weighs at least 20 pounds. There is no way that I can lift 60 pounds, much less the added weight of the kennel. No sooner than HTP loaded the kennel with it's three cats into The Gator, he then climbed aboard and away they went. I'm thinking that they should arrive at DD Daughter's new apartment at around 6 PM tonight...California time. My fellow Marine Mom's have commented that HTP AND DD's cats are in their prayers. They're praying that the cats behave themselves and that HTP retains enough patience so that he doesn't fling the cats enroute.

Camp Furball Update

Camp Furball has been disbanded. The occupants (inmates) are being transported to their new California home. These are well-traveled, multi-cultural, cats. Sigh. I'm going to miss the little stinkers. To HTP: I will clean and sanitize Camp Furball and return it to guest room status....tomorrow. Really.

****

Me? I made two batches of Russian Teacakes and two batches of Sugarless Russian Teacakes. These are HTP's favorites. I've started a batch of Biscotti and will be finishing up with those before the night is over. Tomorrow? I'm not sure. I'm running out of butter. I think I just may have enough left to make Brown Sugar Cookies. My children would kill me if I didn't make Brown Sugar Cookies.

Murphyism of the Day

It is impossible to make anything foolproof because fools are ingenious.

Word of the Day

Hortitorture - The mistreatment of one's plants; usually resulting in their demise.

My laundry is all done, folded and stowed. I'm moving a bit slow today. I've got the worst, painful, stiff neck. It struck last night. Don't know why. But, anyway, it's slowing me down a bit. I'd planned to do a lot more today. I did finish up ALL the Christmas present wrapping. ALL DONE! I mean it this time. I finished making two batches of Cinnamon Jan Hagel and I've got another two batches of Almond Jan Hagel in the oven right now. I plan to make sugar-free versions of both, another four batches of cookies, before I quit tonight. I'll have to make the Russian Teacakes tomorrow. Maybe HTP will lend a hand on that. Those are his favorite cookies. The thing is that they need to be dusted with powdered sugar and I'm not happy with my sugar-free version of powdered sugar. Heck! I may just go ahead and dust them with the real stuff. I don't think that the little dusting of powdered sugar will cause too many diabetic problems. Into life, a bit of sugar must fall. In the meantime, I've trying to drive HTP nuts with the Christmas music I'm shaking the house with.

Murphyism of the Day

Every solution breeds new problems.

Word of the Day

Horsepital - Where horses are cared for when sick.

I've got a tree!

HTP got my tree stand fixed. We finally figured out where to put the tree (I'd forgotten since last year) and I've got all the ornaments up and shining.

Tomorrow is laundry day and I think I'll start on The Great Cookie Project.

Murphyism of the Day

Whenever you set out to do something, something else must be done first.

Word of the Day

Horrorscope - A bad news astrology reading.

I've finished up with almost all the Christmas present wrapping. There may be one or two more items to go but there's no panic when it comes to that. HTP's gone off to get some washers to fix the tree stand. If all goes well, I'll have my tree up tonight...or tomorrow. It'll get done. I also gave HTP a whole list of baking supplies that I'll need. I want to get started on the baking. Tomorrow? Tuesday? This too will get done.

I made another batch of strawberry liqueur. Then, while I was at it, I made a batch of blackberry liqueur. I'll kick back and sample some of the wild raspberry stuff I made last year before heading off to bed tonight. In the meantime, I'm enjoying a bit of quiet time with a good book.

Murphyism of the Day

Left to themselves, things tend to go from bad to worse.

Word of the Day

Horredy - A horrer-comedy

We got home last night after dark. This morning I took a good look at the damage several nights of below freezing temperatures here in the desert did to my plants. Damage. Everything looks pretty bad. Thankfully, I left my rubber tree and my milk cactus covered while we were away. I think the ficus and the thevitia will recover. I suppose the bouganvillea and lantana will recover as well. Although nipped, I'm sure the dwarf oleander will be fine along with the natal plum. Even the palms look a bit nipped around the edges. Only the red yucca looks untouched. I probably lost a couple of my hibiscus. Oh well... I'll keep my fingers crossed. The citrus don't look too bad. The pomegranate will be fine. I suppose they were somewhat protected between our house and our neighbor's place. The tomatoes? Forget it. They're gone. Actually, all my plants look damaged. I know that most will come back this spring but we're in for an eye-sore this winter while we're here until the warmer temperatures of spring arrive. My neighbor was concerned that the HOA start sending out notices about dead and dying plants but I told her that they'll probably hold off until it's a definite that a plant or tree won't recover. I hope I didn't speak too soon on that.

Murphyism of the Day

If you perceive that there are four possible ways in which a procedure can go wrong, and circumvent these, then a fifth way will promptly develop.

Word of the Day

Hissteria - Fear of snakes

I recognize the fact that I failed to blog yesterday. I did warn you that this might happen. HTP and I are heading back to Arizona today. I'll try and find the time to blog when we get back home. For right now, I've got to pack up the computer so we can go down for breakfast.

*****

And so....much later, much, much, much later.... I continue,

Over The Dam and through the hills, it was back to Arizona we went. Nothing new other than most of the traffic was flowing in the opposite direction. Not even a single construction delay. And I did not see my friend and her husband as they made their way to Las Vegas. Like ships passing in the night....

As we were driving we paused and reflected upon the fact that our nephew (my sister's oldest ) got married to his sweetie at 3:30 PM today. We wish them a life filled with happiness and joy as they continue on together as partners in this life's journey.

We stopped and picked up our Arizona daughter on our way home. We ate at a Mexican restaurant. Very good. If it's good enough for the President of the United States, I guess it's good enough for us. Yes, President Bush ate at this restaurant in January of 2004. I did not order the Presidential Combo. I never have been a fan of enchiladas. Anyway, afterwards we went grocery shopping and then continued on home.

All the groceries are now put away. Our bags are unpacked and stored. There's a message on our answering machine telling us that we're out of luck when it comes to getting replacement parts for our tree stand. Sigh. Tomorrow is another day. I'm off to bed.

Murphyism of the Day

If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong.

Word of the Day

Gamblidementia - The frantic urge to keep playing despite/because you find that you're losing.

I've won two minor jackpots. Now, the goal is to survive tomorrow without losing that which has been won. Actually, HTP and I always feel that we've won if we can leave Vegas with at least some of the money we came with remaining in our pockets. So far, so good. I've set aside the money that Wisconsin expects for their income tax requirements. 6.5% In Wisconsin when it comes to gambling, they don't care how much money you lost while trying to win, they just want their share of whatever you won.

We met my folks for supper here at Fellini's. Wonderful! The food at Fellini's is wonderful. Our waiter Fiori takes really good care of us. We all get a chuckle out of his description of the "Sneaker's Pie".

Murphyism of the Day

Everything takes longer than you think it will.

Word of the Day

Snailpokeyish - Accurate description of the speed of a dial-up modem connection.

HTP and I are in Vegas. We packed up and left the house at around 9 AM this morning. This was a relatively late hour to leave but we avoided rush hour traffic. We did hit road construction which delayed us for about 30 minutes. There was no wait at the Hoover Dam other than people who like to drive 1 mph while sight-seeing instead of paying the $7 parking fee so they can actually get out and take pictures without causing major blood-pressure issues with those of us who have seen the dam many times over the years.

After dropping the dogs off at my folks place, we continued onto Sam's Town. They upgraded our room to a suite. OK. HTP and I would have preferred a regular room. The regular rooms are just fine with us. Actually, to be honest, aside from the jacuzzi bath in the room and the fridge and generous sitting area, the suite really doesn't lend itself to HTP and my living preferences. There isn't much room to put your clothes. There are a total of three small drawers in the area where they encourage you to dry your hair and put on your make-up...no sink in that area. I actually had to hang up my jeans and I had to tuck my underwear and socks into the nightstand on one of the shelves...right next to the phone books. We've got two TV's but we'll only use the one...maybe. There isn't too many channels to watch because they'd really rather have you downstairs in the casino. Oh well...it looks pretty. Maybe I'll take a bath later.

HTP and I ate supper at Billy Bob's. The prime rib was good this time. Only a hint of rosemary. I'm not fond of rosemary when it comes to prime rib. Actually, I don't mind it but it seems that most cooks and chefs don't understand the concept of seasoning when it comes to using rosemary. I've found that the majority of times when rosemary is used, the only thing you end up tasting is the rosemary. That would be fine if you hated the taste of whatever the rosemary was supposed to flavor but I happen to like the taste of prime rib and chicken and lamb...well...I really don't like lamb so I guess they can go ahead with that but...actually, I don't like the taste of rosemary either so...

Murphyism of the Day

Nothing is as easy as it looks.

Word of the Day

Hiscarious - So funny it's scary.

Laundry. I know. It's not Tuesday. Today was the exception to the rule. HTP and I are heading off to Vegas tomorrow. It's always nice to travel with clean clothes on one's back and in one's suitcase.

I started wrapping presents today. The key word is "started". I've got more to do in that department. I also need to get busy baking but that will have to wait until return from our trip. By the way, the same rule holds as always exists while we're in Vegas. I'll have our laptop with me but I can't promise that I'll blog.

Camp Furball Update

Not to worry. DD Daughter's cats won't starve whilst HTP and I are in Vegas. DD has one of those special cat food dishes and a special water bowl so her cats can feed and water themselves while we're away. I'm on my way to put all new cat litter in their special latrine. I'll leave the window blinds up so they can amuse themselves by watching the birds fly by and bath in the fountain. I do plan to lock the door. We wouldn't want one of those Houdini cats to escape Camp Furball while we're away. One of the nice things about cats is that they can take care of themselves for the most part. Unlike certain dogs I know.

Human Imponderable of the Day

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

Word of the Day

Hipondent - When you're feeling incredibly cool and depressed at the same time.

I spent the morning at church today. Three hours of Christmas music. I love it. And yes, playing Christmas music on my clarinet did put me in the mood for Christmas. And since it is Sunday I thought I'd share.

I've always been taught that one should take it to the Lord in prayer and so.....

FOR YOU

"I wish for you...

"Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart

Gentle hugs when spirits sag,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Confidence for when you doubt,

Faith so that you can believe,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
And love to complete your life.

God Bless you!

I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....

His love is always with you
His promises are true
No matter what the tribulation
You know He will see us through

So when the road you're traveling on
Seems difficult at best
Give your problems to the Lord
And God will do the rest.

Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, rest the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous. In your love, give us all this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

*****

My sister once sent me the following story a long time ago and I've thinking about it all week and even the week before. It just took me a while to find it so I could share.

Two Traveling Angels

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.

"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it."

"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."

Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

Word of the Day

Hip-hopular - Hip and popular, especially in media or culture.

HTP and I are still researching what to put on our back patio. Saltillo tile (tends to attract stains and needs to be sealed every other year)? Porcelain tile that looks like saltillo tile (costs lots more but you don't have to fuss with it)? Some kind of fake finish (this could scratch and it needs to sealed every five years)? As I said, we're researching. We don't want to make the mistake of another not really Kool-deck fiasco.

Tomorrow I need to leave for church at around 8 AM. I've got an orchestra practice and I'll be playing with the contemporary group. Christmas music. I love playing Christmas music. I sure hope my lip holds up.

Camp Furball Update

Taye and MiMao always seem to be curled up together. Todd doesn't cuddle with anyone. All three greet me at the door in a mass of furry bodies each morning when I go in to feed them. Demanding creatures. They make every attempt at escaping by throwing themselves at the door and rattling the doorknob each morning. Thankfully, they settle down nicely after I give them their huge scoop of food each morning. I'm going to leave the shade open at Camp Furball from now on. I noted that "someone" decided to play with one of my stuffed animals. A tiny stuffed dog that came in a McDonald's Happy Meal. No damage done. I place the dog out of reach...I think. Meanwhile I'm hoping that the trio will resume their efforts at trying to attract the notice of my two chihuahuas who get to play outside their window. So far, the chihuahuas have ignored their every effort.

Human Imponderable of the Day

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams your ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right?" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt. Next time get off your cell phone and watch where you're going?"

Word of the Day

Hidrawlic - In the deep south, people wave to you and say "Hi Y'all." They're practicing their hidrawlics.

Not much going on today. HTP took all the Christmas cards that I got ready yesterday to the Post Office. Turns out that I have to add even more stamps to some of the cards. ARGH!!!! Oh well...at least I think I'm done with Christmas cards. HTP has told me that he absolutely refuses to make another visit to the Post Office. I guess I'll have to go should the need arise. We still don't have a Christmas tree. It's on HTP's Honey Do List. Fix the Christmas tree stand. Actually, he's been trying real hard on that project. We're just about ready to give it up and use the thing broken or not.

Camp Furball Update

All's quiet at Camp Furball. I changed out the litter box. I washed, scrubbed, washed, scrubbed and refilled the water dish. DD Daughter tells me that MiMao likes to wash her paws in the water dish after using the litter box. Weird and yucky. Well...apparently she likes to wash her food too. Maybe she's part raccoon. Or maybe Howard Hughes has come back as a cat.

Human Imponderable of the Day

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

Word of the Day

Heyride - A drive-by shouting

HTP is still trying to fix our Christmas tree stand but I'm continuing on with my decorating. Today I finished up my Christmas cards while listening to Christmas music. I thought for sure that HTP bought enough Christmas stamps but it seems that I underestimated yet again. Oh well...some people are just going to have to make do with patriotic flag stamps this year.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

Word of the Day

Hetty - A combination of hot and sweaty.

I feel like I'm living a life-version of one of those Advent Calendars except I don't get any of the tiny little chocolates. Instead, each day I add a little bit more to my Christmas decorations. I put out my Twelve Days of Christmas figurines today. I'm glad I bought those candles because the tapers that I thought I might have had in the box in my closet...weren't. I did have a couple of snowman candles and a couple of nutcracker candles but those don't qualify as the tapers that I needed for my dining room table.

We still need to put up the tree. Tomorrow? HTP has to fix the Christmas tree stand. Tomorrow? We'll get to it. Heck! My memory may be a bit foggy but serious tree decorating when I was young was done a lot closer to Christmas. Like...the night before? We always had a real tree though. You really don't want to rush putting up a real tree. They tend to dry out and then you could risk a house fire. Especially with the lights that we used to use. No...we never used real candles to light our tree. But those lights were REALLY HOT! I know. I burned the heck out of my hands when I was younger because I just couldn't resist touching those pretty lights. I'm amazed that we never actually burned down the house with those lights.

And then...we actually anchored that sucker to the radiator? I mean, there's never a perfect tree but..... I love my Mom. She always shopped for that perfect tree. I remember hours standing out in one of those tree lots in the cold snow, freezing my toes off while Mom picked out that "perfect" tree. It had to meet certain criteria. It had to fit the budget. Looking nice was important but the budget trumped all. So...sometimes that perfect Charlie Brown tree was the result. Needless to say, said tree didn't always have a perfect center of gravity or balance. Sometimes you just had add some stability lines.

There were specific rules when it came to adding tinsel to the tree. We always re-used our tinsel. My Mom had such patience! I mean...there is no way that I would have the patience to pick every last piece of tinsel from the clinging needles of an old, dried-out Christmas tree. She used to iron the old ribbons and the paper too. Such were the times we lived in. Maybe we should all go back and think about such things. Some of those things made a great deal of sense. My Mom was one of the first recyclers! Conservation! We have moved into such a disposable way of life. On the otherhand, if I had to pick all that tinsel out of the tree come January, I'd probably switch to garland. Come to think of it...that's what I did! Mom (if you're reading this) I still save the old gift tags and use the old bows. I don't use ribbons and I can't get HTP or the kids to show any sort of patience when it comes to opening gifts so the paper is a total loss. I reuse the gift bags and boxes though so I'm not totally lost to this modern life of consumerism. I retained some of my roots. But I use an artificial tree. I refuse to pay $20 or more for a once-living Christmas tree that will drop its needles on my carpet, needles that will make an appearance months (years) later no matter how often you vacuum. I figure that my poor little artificial tree paid for itself in 1998. Right now? It's free...except HTP has to fix the stand.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Word of the Day

Hemisfear - Anxious concern, reluctance to cross the equator.

I got all my laundry done. HTP and I went shopping. Arizona daughter needed a cable modem so we picked one up for her and HTP got it all set up. While we were at the store, HTP found some stationary for the annual Christmas letter. Why Walmart decided to put it near the housewares section, halfway to the pet section, I haven't a clue. As a matter of fact, the cashier asked him where he got it because so many patrons were wondering where it was. Meanwhile, I bought some more Christmas wrapping paper and bows because they was on sale and I never did get around to checking my supply from last year. I also picked up some cute Christmas cards. I still need to go back to the post office for stamps but maybe I'll let HTP do that. I've already gone two times in the last week and forgot the stamps both times.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. All my Christmas snowglobes are placed in an around my crowded home. I bought some green and red tapers for the dining room table but...I may have some in a box in the closet. I'll have to check. Tomorrow. The tree still isn't up but I've got time yet. As far as baking goes? Next week? If I start too soon on that project, HTP will be put into too much temptation. Let's be honest here. I'll be put into to much temptation.

Camp Furball Update

I found a better brush in the cupboard so I brushed both Taye and MiMao. I don't know what DD Daughter was talking about. Both cats love to be brushed. I had a real purr fest going on in there. As I brushed MiMao, Taye kept bumping into me as if to say, "Don't brush that scrappy little bit of stable trash, Brush ME!" So, I'd brush Taye and then MiMao demanded attention. Todd doesn't need brushing but...I brushed him too so he wouldn't feel left out.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Word of the Day

Hectivity - Very busy; lots of activity, turmoil, haste

'Tis the season.... This morning was spent at the Post Office...again. DD Daughter forgot something that she needed so it was off to the Post Office for me. I arrived at the crowded Post Office at around 8:30 AM and took a number. #99. They were working on #84. That was OK. I needed to fill out the Express mail forms and get one of the special flat-rate Express envelopes. There were six chained pens at the Post Office. Only one of them worked. I waited my turn. As I was filling out the paperwork and sealing the envelope, I set my number down. It never occurred to me that there would actually be a slimball at the Post Office who would steal someone's number. After getting everything ready, I looked around for my number slip. No number slip. Did I drop it? It was nowhere to be seen. I got a new number. #03. Sigh. I really am too nice. I never said a word as the slimball who stole my number waltzed up to the counter when #99 was called. I really, really hope that he felt a smidge of guilt or the burn of my glare as he used my number. Do slimballs feel guilt?

I've started Christmas preparations. My first draft of our annual Christmas letter is filed into my computer. I need to get some Christmas cards and stationary but that'll have to wait. I forgot to buy stamps. I've been to the Post Office twice already and I forgot to buy Christmas stamps? Oh well...tomorrow? I decorated the outside of the house and I packed away the Thanksgiving stuff. Oh...I need to buy some new Christmas candles for the dining room table too. I guess I'll have to start a list. I'd better check if I have Christmas wrap and ribbons too. I did drag the Christmas tree out of the garage. Tonight? Maybe I'll set it up tonight.

Camp Furball Update

I've taken over the daily operation of Camp Furball. All three inmates are doing well. It got a tad cold overnight (32°F) but Camp Furball warmed up after I closed the window and turned off the ceiling fan.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Hectivity - Very busy; lots of activity, turmoil, haste.

Word of the Day

Heartune - A love song.

DD Daughter is on her way back to Pendleton. Despite all efforts, she forgot some paperwork that she needs and cell phones don't work too well in our neck of the woods so she didn't get my frantic calls until she was too far along. I'll have to overnight the stuff to her...as soon as she calls tonight to give us an address.

I'm done with all my Christmas shopping! Woohoo! Of course, I still need to decorate and write my annual Christmas letter.

Left-overs for supper.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Word of the Day

Heartquake - The phenomenon of an earthquake taking place in the heart.

DD Daughter and I did go out shopping yesterday. I figured that it would be safe because all the real crazies would have cleared out of the mall by the time we got there at around 7 PM. I was wrong. I had someone with jigjaggy multi-colored hair with white stars on her face come up to tell me that she loved me. Blink. Thank you? Anyway, I got almost all the rest of my Christmas shopping done. Yeah! I still need to do the stocking stuffer thing but aside from that I'm pretty much done.

This morning DD Daughter and I packed up boxes to send to GI Joe and some Marines that we know who are currently deployed in Iraq. It's one thing to get stuff to send to them (that's the fun part), it's quite another thing to have to fill out customs forms. Let's see...one Santa hat, cost? weight? How much does on beanie baby weigh? A candy bar? What price do you put on homemade beef jerky? They really expect you to be specific. I hate filling out forms. And then the custom forms aren't exactly military friendly when it comes to which part of the address fits on which line. FPO, APO, AE? Sigh. I did my best. All the boxes and forms are in the hands of the United States Post Office right now. I stood in line for an hour (not bad considering the time of year) and the gal who took my boxes didn't give me an ounce of grief. Probably didn't want to see a MOM go postal.

Human Imponderable of the Day

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Word of the Day

Happitality - A state of extreme happiness.

I'm really enjoying the fact that I'm not out shopping today. I spent a long while studying the sale flyers but there wasn't anything to tempt me out of the warm safety of my house and into the mad crowds of shoppers.

HTP and DD Daughter went out at an early hour. DD had to bring her truck in to have the brakes looked at. Seems like it must have been a good day to do it because HTP and DD told me that they were first in line.

Me? I made waffles for everyone. Now? I'm ready to crawl back into bed. I'm still tired from yesterday.

Turkey Day Horror

I have no problems making Thanksgiving dinners. I've never had a bit of problem in the kitchen. It's hectic. But nothing major. Having said that...I almost set the kitchen on fire yesterday. Argh! But I'm getting ahead of myself. Everything started out in such a normal fashion. I cooked up the cranberries for sauce. I left that to cool on the stovetop. I cleaned the turkey and removed the "packages" and got the bird ready for stuffing. Too soon. But I got the package contents all cleaned up and in a pot with water and seasonings. Future broth for making my gravy. HTP was doing some internet shopping and needed my input. By the time all that was done it was time to make the stuffing and get the turkey taken care of. I use disposable roasting pans to make my turkey. When I was at the store I bought two of them. It was a two-for deal and I knew I'd need one for Christmas. Anyway, I made my stuffing, stuffed my turkey and into the pan and into the oven it went. While the turkey was roasting, I got the green bean casserole and the sweet potatoes all ready and into the fridge. Then I peeled the potatoes, ready to boil up for mashing. I snipped the asparagus and got it ready for steaming. My first problem. I couldn't find the hollandaise sauce mix that I had bought. Anywhere. My second problem...I could only find one bottle of white wine. My mind was working on what to do about the first problem and I decided to put a bottle of champagne in the fridge to solve the second problem. Cream sauce? Maybe a bit of grated cheese? First problem solved. I checked the turkey and noted that it was browned enough to cover with foil. Done. Breakfast. I made eggs and toast. I cleaned the kitchen. Washed the dishes. The smell of turkey was wonderful. I set the table for dinner.

A couple of hours later, I should have been concerned. I'd checked on the turkey. I wanted to drain off some juices for the gravy. No juices. I should have been concerned. It became apparent, an hour later, that there was a hole in my disposable pan. All the wonderful turkey juices had pooled and were burning on the bottom of my oven. DD Daughter and I quickly lifted the holey mess into the other pan. Thank goodness I had the other one. We got as much of the juices wiped up as we could but.... Smoke! Lots of smoke! I'm amazed that my fire alarms didn't go off. We turned on vents. We opened windows. We turned on fans. Blue smoke poring out of the oven. I'm nervously waiting for a flashpoint to be reached. HTP got involved when he noticed the amount of blue smoke gathered in our front yard from his office. Not good.

Thank goodness for HTP. We turned off the oven. Took the turkey out of the oven. And...HTP cleaned the oven. I'm thinking. No juice for gravy. I need gravy. Sigh. HTP sent me out to the store while he cleaned the oven. Thank God for HTP! Bless him. At the store, I bought turkey gravy, hollandaise sauce mix, AND, three bottles of white wine. I only needed one bottle but at this point I REALLY needed to have that one bottle of white wine. By the time I got back from the store, HTP had cleaned up the entire mess and the turkey was back into the oven. Disaster over.

We finally were able to sit down to Thanksgiving dinner at around 6:30 PM. Everything was perfect. Arizona daughter helped with the clean-up and all the left-overs actually fit in the fridge. Miracle.

Though I had purchased a pie for dessert, no-one had any room for it. We drank coffee and watched a movie. Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. It was great. I sent dessert home with Arizona daughter and her husband.

Succumbing to a tryptophan overdose, it was off to bed....well...after watching Finding Nemo which happened to be on the Disney Channel last night. That movie is so cute. But so ends a very long day. Oh...and I didn't set the kitchen on fire afterall, despite all my efforts.

Camp Furball Update

DD has taken over the upkeep of Camp Furball while she's in residence. We're hoping that she can take her happy trio home with her (knocking madly on wood) by Christmas.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Word of the Day

Hackchoo - When you sneeze and cough at the same time.

The news all day today was all about traffic and the airport. We're not going anywhere this year so I guess that doesn't apply to us. I haven't heard from DD Daughter but I think that she'll be coming some time today. I think. We haven't heard from her so... I'm planning on having Thanksgiving dinner at around 6 PM tomorrow. My Arizona daughter will be here but she wasn't sure whether or not her husband could come. Work. Maybe. Ah well, if he can't come I'll make sure to send home enough leftovers for him to enjoy.

We had a tile person come to give us an estimate for laying saltillo tile on our patio. Blink. The cost was a lot more than we were expecting. We'll have to do some more thinking and get more estimates.

Camp Furball - Day Eleven

I have to go out and buy more food for our happy trio. Today. I had enough to feed them today but there won't be enough for tomorrow. Aside from that, all is well.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Word of the Day

Growcrastination - To put off gardening.

I'm learning that my every other morning exercise sessions are far more effective than my multiple cups of coffee each morning. At least...so far. Anyway, I'm trying to start a habit. Hopefully this will help me drop a few pounds.

I'm making beef jerky today. HTP is off to the LDS Family History Center again to do genealogy research again. This is the last day before The Holidays that the center is open until 9 PM. The thing you learn when you start researching family genealogy is that just when you get settled in and maybe find a tidbit of information on some almost unreadable bit of microfilm, someone is ready and eager to sweep you out. Closing time. Anyway, HTP hates the sound and smell that results from the production of beef jerky. So... Anyway, I've got my dehydrator set up outside and I'll have beef jerky before HTP returns home tonight. I love beef jerky but I refuse to pay store-bought prices for the stuff. Besides, I want to send some to Iraq for my Marine Mom's sons and daughters and GI Joe. Not to mention that #1 son loves the stuff too. Actually, I may have to make another batch.

Arizona daughter had a day off yesterday so I went out shopping with her. I'm starting to whittle away on my Christmas gift list. I still haven't a clue what to get for my parents or my in-laws. Worse? I haven't a clue what to get for HTP! HTP and #1 son are really hard to buy for. Actually, maybe it's a gender problem. I don't know what to get for either of my son-in-laws either. Sigh. At least my Arizona helped me with her husband but...I still have my doubts. DD hasn't been any help at all. Maybe I can pick her brain a bit more when she comes for Thanksgiving. As for my folk? As for my in-laws?

You may have noticed that I failed to blog yesterday. Mall shopping tends to suck all the available energy out of my body. I returned home yesterday at around 8:30 PM. I went to bed. I never even thought about blogging as I dragged my poor aged body to bed.

Camp Furball - Day Ten

Has it really been ten days? Despite MiMao's tendency to disappear under the bed in Camp Furball, she more often than naught, makes a mere half-hearted disappearing act of late. She's really a pretty little cat. I've noted that poor Todd (GI Joe's little man) tends to take a back seat when it comes to the food dish. Poor baby. I'd actually feel rather sorry for him but he still leaves Taye to take the blame when it comes to the escape attempts.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

I knew I forgot to do something before I went to bed last night. I went shopping. The cats are just fine. I was busy. The dog ate my homework. The dish ran away with the spoon. The cow jumped over the moon. I was being eaten by a boa constrictor and barely escaped. And then my head fell off and I couldn't find it because my eyes were in it.

Word of the Day

Grim reapercussions - Consequences of drinking and driving.

I raced out and did my morning exercise. Twenty minutes power-walk to the clubhouse, twenty minutes with the machines and the balance ball, twenty minutes power-walk back home. It wasn't easy today. They were serving a pancake breakfast at the clubhouse and the smell was wafting into the exercise room. Not good. I didn't weaken but I think the fumes may have added two inches to my thighs.

If the breakfast fumes didn't add the inches, my lunch did. I met a friend this morning. We went hunting together. I love going to Savers. It's the thrift store run by The Boys' and Girl's Club of America. Anyway, we hunted the aisles for used clothing. I picked up some used books along with a huge sack full of tops. I always figure that if I get tired of the clothes, I won't feel so guilty if when I donate it at a later date. Anyway, after our Savers shopping expedition, we ate lunch at Seranos. A Mexican restaurant. Very good! I'm sure I ate too much but I felt justified because I didn't have any breakfast. Wrong thinking but at least I know it.

After lunch we decided to investigate a new Sam's Club that had recently opened. I haven't a clue why I can't seem to enter a Sam's Club or a Costco with out exiting with more than I ever thought I'd buy. HTP knows that I shouldn't go to Costco without his expert guidance. Oh well...I got some Christmas shopping done and I got this wonderful caramel apple walnut crunch pie that I'm going to serve for Thanksgiving dessert.

But my shopping/hunting expedition didn't stop with Sam's Club. After I dropped my friend off at her home, I continued on to Bashas ( a local grocery store here in Arizona). I just remembered. I forgot to buy the beef roast that I was going to grind up to make beef jerky. Argh! Oh well...no room in the fridge anyway. Maybe I'll try again after Thanksgiving. Anyway, I filled the back of the Gator with all kinds of food and food making stuff that I'll be using to make Thanksgiving dinner. I've got cranberries, an aluminum pan for the turkey, extra wide aluminum foil, canned sweet potatoes, brown sugar because I couldn't remember if I had any and I didn't check, marshmallows, canned pineapple, french-cut green beans, cream of chicken soup.... Well...you get the idea. Lots of stuff. Oh...stuffing mix and bread to make stuffing. I even bought sage...and then found out that I must have enough sage now with what I found in the pantry to feed the entire U.S. fleet. I guess I'd better do a better job at list making next time.

So. I staggered back in the door with all my treasures. Miller Time. Actually, Pinot Grigio time. I bought some individual serving size bottles of Pinot Grigio. I don't usually do this but I need the bottles. I'm going to use them to bottle my strawberry liqueur that I want to send to my fellow MOM's. But first I have to drink the Pinot Grigio....two down, six to go.

Camp Furball - Day Eight

I just checked with HTP. He tells me that all has been quiet at Camp Furball. Of course, unless one of them had actually escaped and tapped him on his shoulder...he wouldn't have noticed. I just checked. All three of DD's babies were happily reclining on various parts of the bed. Taye prefers the pillow region.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Word of the Day

Gnawty - A teething puppy.

My turkey has been thawing in the fridge since Wednesday. I plan to go shopping for groceries tomorrow. I hope they don't run low on things. I should have bought things this last week but couldn't summon the energy. Besides, we only have the one car.

I went outside today to read my book and listen to the fountain. It became apparent that what I really wanted to do was find a nice sunny spot in the yard to curl up in. Soaking in the vitamin D and cancer-causing rays of the sun. Ah well...I never can sit still for too long so I think I'm pretty safe from the later.

Camp Furball - Day Seven

Our three happy campers almost escaped into the main house today. I caught them before they actually executed the plan. The door was just slightly open a crack and a small paw was in the process of pulling the door all the way open. Any cat that pulls books off a shelf to read is smart enough to pull open doors. My attention was drawn to the situation when the mad banging and flipping of the door handle ceased. I no longer startle at these noises. No mad home invader is attempting to break into our home. It's just DD's cats making all that noise. A mad home invader would probably make less noise about it. As I entered the room, all three cats were poised for escape and looking extremely guilty. I redirected their attention to the pursuit of food and then played with them for a while with that featherduster thingy that DD calls a cat-teaser. She warned me never to leave it in the room alone with the cats because they'll just kill it. From the rough attention I got while playing with them, I don't doubt it for a minute.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Word of the Day

Gladuate - Students happy that they have passed an exam.

Wow! I can actually see out of my windows. We hired someone to wash the windows. Now...I'm just going to have to wait until the first bird decides to commit suicide on my newly cleaned window. Or...how about a nice bout of rain with blowing dust.

Camp Furball - Day Six

Not much going on right now at Camp Furball. MiMao disappeared under the bed when the window-washers came. No-one attempted to escape out the opened window when the screens were washed. I changed the little box this morning. Everyone was grateful. I put out fresh water and someone (Todd?) decided to pull another book of the bookshelf. It looks like I may have to keep Camp Furball operational for longer than we intended. I'm still going to keep my hopes up that DD Daughter is finally granted married housing. I'm afraid that because GI Joe is in Iraq, and his permanent duty station is still in Nebraska, they have classified DD as a geological bachelor because GI Joe wasn't present at the time she reported to Camp Pendleton. Anyway, GI Joe is working really hard to see what can be done about this latest disaster, aka, military bureaucractic snafu. Situation Normal All.... If worse comes to worse, I'll see if I can find a kind-hearted temporary home for our happy trio of campers because there is no way that we'll be able to carry these three back to Wisconsin come April. So far they are causing no problems at Camp Furball and I'm sure that #1 son won't mind having company of MiMao, Todd and Taye while he's here over Christmas break.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Word of the Day

Girlygood - Stimuli that make girls happy such as shopping, hair make-overs, manicures, pedicures; doing girly things that feel good; to experience a girly happening that only girls can appreciate.

I have to go out and buy some bottles. Today was the day that I filtered my strawberry schnapps. I now have two quarts of strawberry schnapps along with two quarts of strawberry liqueur. Now all I need is decorative bottles for my product. HTP has promised me some labels but I need bottles. I guess that "It's a shopping I will go." Temporarily I'm using plain quart canning jars. They work but...

Camp Furball - Day Five

The cats like to toss all their food out of the dish everyday. Thankfully, they also eat the entire mess up within 24 hours.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Word of the Day

Gigafryte - A major scare.

I started the morning with the long walk to the clubhouse, followed by a counter- rotation using the weight machines, two series of 25 sit-ups on the balance ball and ending with the long walk back home. I noted that the other people at the clubhouse workout room seem to drive to the clubhouse. Their routine seems to be to spend 20 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical or bikes, followed by a rotation using the weight machines and then finishing with another 20 minute session on the treadmill. Treadmills and stationary bikes have never been my thing. I did try the elliptical but.... You just walk and walk and walk and you never actually get anywhere. What's the fun of that. So...for right now, I'll do my "treadmill" thing by walking to and from the clubhouse. At least I get to meet and greet the neighbors enroute and I'm actually getting someplace in the process. Besides, the weather has been willing. I must say though that this exercise thing is a bit like taking a cold shower. You know you'll feel a lot better after the shower but it's hard to psych yourself up to getting into that shower. Ah well...I've done it twice now. Monday and Wednesday. I just have Friday and Sunday....and Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday and ....you get the idea.

Camp Furball - Day Four

Everyone has seemed to settle in. MiMao greeted me at the door. She decided that my legs needed a good rubbing. If she had claws, my jeans would have been in shreds. Everyone needed patting. I found my cat brush so Taye got brushed. He didn't seem to mind. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough?

Word of the Day

Gifthusiasm - Pretending to like a dumb gift someone you love gives you.

I admit it. I haven't done much today. Laundry...of course. But aside from that, not too much. I did dig out three hummingbird feeders and was able to hang two of them up . The other one crumbled in my hands. Plastic and Arizona's sun don't mix too well. No hummingbird sightings as yet.

Camp Furball - Day Three

Taye managed to trap himself in the TV armoire. Sigh. After hearing a lot of crashing about, I ran to check on the situation. He's fine. The TV is fine. Everything is fine. I think I may have to tie the doors of the armoire shut but aside from that and an attitude of "What?! I meant to do that. I don't know why you felt that you had to rescue me?" all is well. I have my suspicions that Todd may have had something to do with the entrapment. He just looked so innocent. UMMMM. Anyway, all three cats are doing well. MiMao has forgiven me for my lecture of yesterday and there have been no more MiMao lumps in the guest bed since I remade the bed and made sure everything was tucked in and secure.

Murphyism of the Day *

Human Imponderable of the Day

Why do people press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting weak?

*I have a new Murphyism resource book on order. In the meantime, please enjoy my temporary Human Imponderable of the Day offering

Word of the Day

Ghnashtly - Something so ghastly and nasty, you find yourself gnashing your teeth!

I'm sure it will get easier. Exercise. I need exercise. So...I walked to the clubhouse, worked out on the machines and did two sets of situps using the exercise ball and then walked back home. It takes about 20 minutes to power-walk to the clubhouse. The power-walk back home took a bit longer but all told I was done by 8 AM. DD Daughter tells me that I should plan on an every other day workout so tomorrow I'll stay home and then try to talk myself into working out again on Wednesday.

I've already discussed the fantastic relationship I have with my sewing machine. The thing hates me. Oh well. I had to drag the nasty thing out of the closet today. Sometimes you have to do stuff that you don't like to do because there are no alternatives. For years I've looked for ready-made tablecloths that would fit my kitchen table. Apparently, my kitchen table is an odd size. 48"x48". They don't make ready-made tablecloths for tables that size. So...I decided to go look for fabric at a fabric store. Nothing doing. When I did find a bolt of cloth wide enough to be of use, the patterns were all wrong. And no telling what would happen once said fabric was washed. Knowing my luck, it would shrink up so much that all my efforts would be for naught. I really hate sewing. And then? Brainstorm. I decided to buy some ready-made tablecloths that measured 60"x 104". I decided that I'd cut off the excess and hem. I can hand sew anything but when you're talking about hemming four tablecloths, I decided that I'd have to use my sewing machine. Sigh. So, today was the day.

I dragged my sewing machine out of the closet. I keep the instructions with my machine because I always have to relearn how to do that bobbin thing and thread the machine. The instructions for my machine come in English/Spanish/French/ and some other languages. It's a huge book. The unfortunate thing is that it's never easy to figure out where the English instructions start and then continue. So a simple project becomes a major hassle. If I cared more, I'd force myself to rewrite the instructions for those things I need to know. I'm not into zig-zag or anything like that. If I feel the need to sew something, I either get out a needle and thread and do the thing by hand, or I force myself to use the machine. Straight stitches. Forward and reverse. Nothing else needed. So...I finally figured out the bobbin thing and then the got the thing threaded. Red thread first for two of the tablecloths. Green thread second for the other two tablecloths. And I broke a needle. Back to the instruction book. Thank goodness I have replacement needles. They come color-coded. Back to the instruction book. I needed a purple needle...size 16 but the lettering is impossible to read. I guess that's why they color-code them.

Anyway, I now have four new tablecloths. I suppose I could make some special holiday tablecloths but...maybe next year.

News from Camp Furball

Day Two

Todd continues to startle HTP and me with his attempts to show us his ability to open doors. He hasn't actually opened the door as yet but his doorknob rattling tends to startle us. OMG! What's that noise?! Oh...it's only Todd.

All three cats greeted me at the door of Camp Furball this morning. They tried their best to convince me that they were starving. Hah! I know better. Taye pushed Todd and MiMao out of the way so he'd get the first bites.

MiMao has decided that I'm not a threat. However, this afternoon, when I went in for a visit, there was a lump in the bed. MiMao has decided that she likes burrowing under the covers. I knew it was MiMao because MiMao was the only missing cat. None of the cats seemed disturbed by her behavior but I removed her from under the covers. Lectured her. And remade the bed. After getting everyone settled, I left. Later? The lump (MiMao) in the bed had returned. Sigh. This time I was a bit firmer in my lecture and I tucked in the sheets and bedspread...maybe that will work. MiMao decided to return to hiding under the bed. I'll check for MiMao lumps...later.

Murphyism of the Day

Cheop's Law

Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget.

Word of the Day

Geeology - Study of wonderment.

Well, DD Daughter has hit the trail, on her way to Camp Pendleton. My guest room has been turned into a cat refugee camp. I'm cat-sitting for DD Daughter until she can arrange for an apartment near her base. So...let me introduce the cats. There's Taye. He's a light colored, long-haired furball with blue eyes. Very friendly. Very furry. Dumb as a brick. Then there's Todd. Aka Wheezy. He's a shorthair. He's taken to removing my books from the shelves in the guest room. DD Daughter hasn't figured out the reason for that but since he's so smart, maybe he's decided that he likes to read romance novels. Todd wheezes when he purrs and then there's the occasional gasp between wheezes. He loves attention but backs off when the wheezing and gasping get to be too much. I've seen the third cat. Her name is MiMao. She's shy. As soon as I walk into the room, she disappears under the bed. Anyway, she's a furball too. Long hair. Dark...Brown? Anyway, I spent an hour at Camp Furball this afternoon, lying on the bed and reading a book so that they wouldn't get lonely. Taye sat on my head. Todd took a guard position at the foot of the bed and MiMao remained hidden...under the bed. I'm told that I need to feed them one scoop of food per day and clean the litter box once a week. Oh...and if I can find my old cat brush? I'm told that Taye really needs to be brushed, but he hates it.

Murphyism of the Day

The Ordering Principle

Those supplies necessary for yesterday's experiment must be ordered no later than tomorrow noon.

Word of the Day

Garass - Where you park when you don't have a garage.

Another shopping day. DD Daughter leaves tomorrow for Pendleton and we wanted to pick up some stuff to send to her husband, GI Joe. I mean, if she hadn't been there, how would I have known that GI Joe doesn't like nuts? Ah well...what he doesn't like he can pass on or trade with someone else in his unit. We also stopped at AAA and got maps and stuff. DD Daughter didn't really think that she would need them but HTP is a map fiend so DD Daughter now has maps. Lots of maps.

We're going to take DD Daughter out for supper at Teakwoods. Beer and Peanuts. And really good hamburgers. I hope it won't be too crowded but we can always nosh on beer and peanuts while we wait.

Murphyism of the Day

Halgren's Solution

When in trouble, obfuscate.

Word of the Day

Gapprehension - When one is not sure if their car will fit in a vacant space.

Today is Veteran's Day. Thank you Dad, GI Joe, HTP's Dad, DD Daughter, and all veteran's past, present and future, for your service and the sacrifices that you've made.

I ordered two books on the net and I'm impatiently waiting for them to arrive. Actually, I ordered three books but one isn't supposed to be published until December. I really hate waiting, especially when I know that I could probably drive out to the store and buy the darn books at the store. Oh well...back to the old book shelves in search of a re-read book.

HTP has gone off to the LDS Family History Center, in search of genealogical enlightenment. I think DD Daughter and I will either order a pizza for supper of go out to eat somewhere. No firm decisions. Whatever DD Daughter wants...I can go back on my diet after she leaves for her PDS...Permanent Duty Station.

Murphyism of the Day

Matz's Maxim

A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.

Word of the Day

Gaitkeeper - Drill sergeant, cadence counter.

It's my only brother's birthday today. Happy Birthday Willie! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday Dear Willie! Happy Birthday to You!

On top of that? There's another birthday today. The United States Marine Corps is 230 years old today. DD Daughter went off to see the movie Jarhead. I hope it's not another bunch of liberal Hollywood crapola.

Murphyism of the Day

Green's Law of Debate

Anything is possible if you don't know what you're talking about.

Word of the Day

Gagnacious - Words or actions possessing the quality of sickening sweetness.

There are few things more demoralizing and depressing then to go to one of those places where they analyze the skin on your face. The day that DD Daughter and I went to get our facials, a woman walked in to the waiting room and handed us certificates worth $50 each good for a free skin consultation. At the time I was rather suspicious and I should have gone with that feeling but $50 is $50 and it's hard to get beyond that. So...DD Daughter and I made our appointments and went in for our skin consultations yesterday afternoon.

I was greeted by a "sweet young thang" who proceeded to take me back to a private room...soothing music playing. I was asked what I don't like about my skin. Hey! I just had a facial the day before this consultation. I was feeling pretty positive about my skin...and my age. I knew I was in trouble the second I was handed a super-magnifying lighted hand mirror. OK. "Could you look at your nose in the mirror and tell me what you'd like to change if you could?" My nose? The pores were huge! I had tiny little spider veins ala W.C. Fields. Argh! Of course, they aren't actually visible except in this "magic mirror". By the time I'd finished analyzing my entire face, bit by dreadful bit, I was thoroughly demoralized. Then she sticks me in front of a mirror complete with black light. Where did all that white lint come from that stood out in such stark contrast on my nose? This is something that nightmares come from. Now...the hard sell. They can fix my face for a few thousand dollars per numerous treatments. I'd just have to undergo special laser microderm abrasion and collagen injections, and there was this new product that might work. Everything was kindly explained to me before I staggered out to the waiting room to wait and ponder the deplorable condition of my sun-damaged skin. Did I want to make an appointment?

DD Daughter's appointment was next. Poor kid. At least she's a Marine. Marines are strong. She could take it. She did get talked into buying some special lotion. She's young. I refused to open my wallet. I guess age has something going for it. So I asked DD how it went and she told me that it wasn't too bad. The "sweet young thang" tried to talk her into botox treatments. What?! My daughter hasn't a wrinkle on her sweet young face! She was told that if she had botox treatments, she'd never get wrinkles. That it's a preventitive thing. The "sweet young thang" had already undergone numerous botox treatments. Good Grief! My DD Daughter wasn't tempted. She told me that she had enough problems with people in the military thinking that she's hardly old enough to smoke much less drink. She told the "sweet young thang" that she'd welcome a wrinkle or two. Then, when I told my DD Daughter that the "sweet young thang" hadn't mentioned anything about botox to me, DD Daughter told me that that evil "sweet young thang" told her that it was too late for me to have botox. The damage was too extreme and botox would only lessen the grooves for me. SCREAM!!!!!

That's OK. I did notice that despite all the make-up that "sweet young thang" was wearing on her perfectly wrinkle-free botoxed face, she just couldn't hide that blemish...cold sore?, pimple? who knows. I may have an old pruney face and sun-damaged skin but there ain't nothing wrong with my eyes...if I'm wearing my glasses. Sure made me feel a whole lot better about my poor wrinkled old pruney, sun-damaged face. The way I figure it, I don't spend a whole heck of a lot of time in front of magnifying mirrors and black light. Anyone that gets that close to peer at my pores and the teeny veins on my nose, is way too far into my personal space. My skin isn't any older than I am. I've earned every single frown and laughter line and I plan to keep them all...though I do enjoy facials and I do plan to keep wearing sunblock and lotions and potions. One of these days I'll stop dying my old grey hair. And for now? I'm fine with the way I look.

And as for my free skin consultation? Well...it was an education. Will I go again? Nope. I'm a fast learner.

Murphyism of the Day

Schroeder's Law

Indecision is the basis for flexibility.

Word of the Day

Gadgetated - Annoyance of fiddly things.

I'm just coming down from this morning's exercise. DD Daughter and I walked to the clubhouse. A mile. Then, she showed me how to use all that neato exercise equipment there. And...she showed me how to use one of those huge exercise balls. I'm really tempted to buy one but since there do seem to be three of them in the exercise room and I don't have a whole lot of room here to put one, I'll pass. Besides, the clubhouse is only a mile away. If I get really lazy, I can even drive there. Anyway, after our exercise, DD Daughter jogged back to our house. I followed at a more sedate pace. Maybe, when/if I can get back into some sort of shape, I'll start jogging too. As it is...the exercise buzz is starting to fade. DD Daughter tells me that it's best to do this every other day.

Yesterday, we went to get facials at a salon spa. Really nice. I plan to go back in a month to do it again. Loved it. Of course, they always try to talk you into buying products. I refrained. I already have stuff. Maybe when I run out of what I have I'll think of buying some of their products.

After our facials, we walked the Mall and grabbed a bite to eat at The Cheese Factory where we were joined by my other daughter. And we continued shopping. One of my favorite stores was going out of business so I let my daughters talk me into buying a new suit...two new suits. Well...at least I'll have something to wear to church. However...if I keep exercising and lose a bunch of weight. You know...you just can't win...even when it comes to losing weight.

And so...it's laundry day. Laundry Day doesn't go away just because DD Daughter is here and just because I'm starting to feel like I've been hit by a truck.

Murphyism of the Day

Winger's Rule

If it sits on your desk for fifteen minutes, you've just become the expert.

Word of the Day

Gabberflasted - Having too much to say!

Exhaustion! I played my clarinet with the contemporary group at church for one service. Afterwards, my DD daughter and I went to Chase's Diner for lunch. They make the most awesome chocolate malts...extra malt. The food there is great too.

The hunt was on after that. We stopped to pick up cat supplies at PetSmart. Then on to Target for more stuff. The grocery store was our last stop. All in all, we left the house this morning at 9 AM and didn't get back here until 3:45 PM.

My Arizona daughter and her husband are going to come tonight for supper. I'll have both my daughters here at one and the same time. My Arizona daughter and my DD daughter haven't seen each other in a REALLY long time. I'm going to make steaks on the grill, salad, and garlic mashed potatoes. All would be perfect if our son could be here too along with DD daughter's husband. Sigh! Oh well. You can't have everything....where would you put it?

Murphyism of the Day

Clarke's Second Law

The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.