Anyway, it's about old friends.

Harry:
What does this song mean? For my whole life I don't know what this song means. I mean, "Should old acquaintance be forgot". Does that mean we should forget old acquaintances, or does it mean if we happen to forget them we should remember them, which is not possible because we already forgot them?

Sally:
Well, maybe it just means that we should remember that we forgot them or something. Anyway, it's about old friends.

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

An optimist stays up until midnight
to see the new year in.
A pessimist stays up
to make sure the old year leaves.

QOTD:
Are you the optimist waiting to see in the new year or the pessimist making sure the damn thing leaves?


Happy New Year!
love and hugs,
~ blondie

On the Fourth Day of Christmas.

Today is the 4th day of Christmas. There are no calling birds being delivered here. {right, honey???} I have had plenty of time to enjoy the gifts I received this year.

My absolute favorite gift was having all my children spend the entire Christmas day with me. It was quite a surprise. I treasure days like that.


My second favorite gift is my black diamond/white diamond earrings which match my black diamond/white diamond ring. {both were given to me by my honey. Thank you honey. I love them!}


My third favorite gift is a LOLCats book from the kid, which has given us all quite a few giggles and awwws.


My fourth favorite gift is the Donald Duck Sketchbook puzzle from the marrieds. I totally didn't know I wanted this gift but I am so looking forward to building it, preserving it and hanging it in my room.



I had a very Merry Christmas and received many great gifts. I guess I was on the Nice list after all. {go figure}


QOTD:
On this fourth day of Christmas are you expecting a delivery of four calling birds? Will you share with us your favorite gifts of this year?

scraps.

Sitting on the floor with cookbooks piled up around her, she sifts through them with an interest that is laced with an air of desperation. Her target is not what one might think. She is not searching for a long lost family recipe. What her heart genuinely desires is a scrap of paper.
Not just any scrap of paper. What she seeks could be a receipt from a shopping trip that marks a page. Perhaps a paper filled with numbers written in an attempt to adjust a recipe. A most magnificent find would be a handwritten original. She would be grateful for anything that would give her a perception of bond that is no longer physically possible

At last she finds what she yearns for. Turning the pages gently she discovers a scrap of paper with handwriting so distinct that it leaves no question concerning the author. She hugs the scrap to her heart, careful not to allow the tears that have created rivers down her cheeks to ruin the treasure she ever so gently cradles. With her eyes closed to the world around her she smiles through her tears, remembering.

Family Time.

We are fixin to head to my brothers shop, which is closed today, to have brunch and hang out with the family. We have celebrated Christmas as a family on the 26th for many years now and today we continue with the tradition.

QOTD:
How are you going to spend the First Day of Christmas?

He is born.

Wordless Wednesday.

word{s}

1. presents ~
2. carols ~
3. eve ~
4. holly ~
5. sleigh ~
6. virgin ~
7. ornaments ~
8. chimney ~
9. stocking ~
10. elf ~

Up on the Housetop.

Check Marks.

QOTD:
Which box will Santa place a check in for you?

Frozen.

Meal at the Manor.

Appetizer ~
Do you smell the milk before you pour it, or drink it, to make sure that isn't past the date that they brand into the side of the carton?

Soup ~
How do you like your popcorn?

Salad ~
How do you feel about giving gift cards as presents?

Entrée ~
What do you call the white bearded, red suited big guy?

Dessert ~
If you were Santa's 10th reindeer, what would you want your reindeer name to be? Would you have any quirky reindeer characteristics?

We're Gonna Die.

We are. Seriously. The desert rats experienced their first cold weather yesterday. SNOW. Yes. We had snow.
The weather bounced between snowflakes and rain for hours but finally left a little dusting of snow. We were cold but nothing could keep us from heading outside a couple times to just watch curiously.

It had been dark for a couple of hours when I looked out the window and saw it. SNOW. I mean really snowing. No rain. Just snow. Fluffy. Gently dancing its way down to land soundlessly. I called to the kid who came to see and immediately ran to put on whatever warm clothes he could come up with and encouraging me to do the same. I did.

We headed out back and just stood for a moment taking in the beauty of it all. Snow falling around him was a first for the kid who has seen already fallen snow maybe twice in his Desert-City-Dweller's life. He was mesmerized and I enjoyed listening to his joyous excitement. Eventually he began to wander around the backyard, flashlight in hand, to explore what wonderful sights the freshly falling snow was offering us. I heard numerous times *This is SO cool!!!*


He made his very first snow angel last night {above} and of course, we made a *snowman*. I use the term snowman loosely. The photograph below is all the explanation you might need to understand why. LOL!


Today it is sunny and the snow is slowly melting. Granted, our snow amount is nothing compared to what most, if not all of you have seen and will see. But for the two freezing desert rats the experience we had caused us to squeal in delight. Even as I write this post I have a big grin on my face as I recall the fun we had last night exploring our very first real winter weather together.

QOTD:
When was the last time you took the time to create a snowman or make a snow angel?

wordless wednesday.

word{s}

1. I
2. have
3. misplaced
4. my
5. Christmas
6. Spirit
7. have
8. you
9. seen
10. it?

rain.

I have rain today. It's different. It rains in the desert but it doesn't RAIN. Not like this. I don't love it or hate it. It does make me miss having a fireplace though.

QOTD:
What weather do you have today? Do you like it or does it make you cranky?

Unfortunate.

After a cold and dreary day yesterday I decided to give a new soup a try. I am always on the lookout for a good broccoli soup that doesn't taste like ass bad. I opened up a carton of the V-8 Broccoli soup that I had bought a few weeks back and poured it into the pan. Smelled good. Didn't look too unappealing. Cool. Heated the soup through after giving it a splash of milk for a creamier consistency. Tasted. Not bad. Added a little sea salt and black pepper as it was a bit on the bland side for my taste. Yummy. I would will totally buy this again.

As I was cleaning up the dishes the empty pan was sitting on the counter. The kid comes in. Picks up a nerf dart that the cats play with {as does he. It is not uncommon to find it stuck to the ceiling lights or the tv on any given day} and tosses it towards the cupboard right above the pan hoping it will stick. You know where this is going. Yep. It hit the cupboard, bounced and landed in the pan with bits of soup still in it. HA! We both cracked up and said, almost in unison, "well THAT'S unfortunate."


I love that kid. He is a bright light in my day. I have cleaned off the dart and it is now back on the floor. Well, until he comes in here and picks it up and throws it again, causing it to stick to who knows what next.

QOTD:
What can you tell us about your last unfortunate food situation?

QOTD.

My cats decided last night that bedtime was the time to race around my house. Up and over my bed. One goes behind the bed while the other runs across the top to the other side and sits waiting to attack. Toys are batted around, kitty claws scraping the floor as they attempt to get some traction on the wooden floors. My door is flung wide open as they come crashing back into my room after a chase down the hall and back again. Do they not understand that I am trying to sleep?

This morning they are both snuggled down in warm spots napping. I should go wake them up and chase them around for a bit.

QOTD:
What disturbed your sleep last night?

Meal at the Manor.

Appetizer ~
Can you ever really forgive if you can't forget?

Soup ~
Handshake or hug?

Salad {literally} ~
Where do you like your salad dressing: on the salad or on the side?

Main Dish ~
If you had to could you take a vow of silence for 48 hours hours?

Dessert ~
We all have things we like to splurge on. What do you think you buy too much of?

Thursday 13 Presents:

The 12 Days of Christmas

1. Partridge in a Pear Tree, $220
2. Two Turtle Doves, $55
3. Three French Hens, $30
4. Four Calling Birds (canaries), $600
5. Five Gold Rings, $350
6. Six Geese a-Laying, $240
7. Seven Swans a-Swimming, $5,600
8. Eight Maids a-Milking, $52
9. Nine Ladies Dancing (per performance), $4,759
10. 10 Lords a-Leaping (per performance), $4,414
11. 11 Pipers Piping (per performance), $2,285
12. 12 Drummers Drumming (per performance), $2,475
13. True cost of the 12 Days of Christmas in 2008 = $21,080 or $86,609 for the True Love repeating all of the song's verses.

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

December 14, 1972

My dearest darling John:

Who ever in the whole world would dream of getting a real Partridge in a Pear Tree? How can I ever express my pleasure. Thank you a hundred times for thinking of me this way.

My love always, Agnes

December 15, 1972

Dearest John:

Today the postman brought your very sweet gift. Just imagine two turtle doves. I'm just delighted at your very thoughtful gift. They are just adorable.

All my love, Agnes

December 16, 1972

Dear John:

Oh! Aren't you the extravagant one. Now I must protest. I don't deserve such generosity, three French hens. They are just darling but I must insist, you've been too kind.

All my love, Agnes

December 17, 1972

Dear John:

Today the postman delivered four calling birds. Now really, they are beautiful, but don't you think enough is enough. You are being too romantic.

Affectionately, Agnes

December 18, 1972

Dearest John:

What a surprise. Today the postman delivered five golden rings, one for every finger. You're just impossible, but I love it. Frankly, all those birds squawking were beginning to get on my nerves.

All my love, Agnes

December 19, 1972

Dear John:

When I opened the door today there were actually six geese laying on my front steps. So you're back to the birds again huh? These geese are huge. Where will I ever keep them? The neighbors are complaining and I can't sleep through the racket. Please stop.

Cordially, Agnes

December 20, 1972

John:

What's with you and those freaking birds?? Seven swans a swimming. What kind of damn joke is this? There's bird poop all over the house and they never stop the racket. I can't sleep at night and I'm a nervous wreck. It's not funny. So stop those freaking birds.

Sincerely, Agnes

December 21, 1972

O.K. Buster:

I think I prefer the birds. What the hell am I going to do with 8 maids a milking? It's not enough with all those birds and 8 maids a milking, but they had to bring their damn cows. There is manure all over the lawn and I can't move in my own house. Just lay off me, smartass.

Agnes

December 22, 1972

Hey Shithead:

What are you? Some kind of sadist? Now there's nine pipers playing. And Christ do they play. They've never stopped chasing those maids since they got here yesterday morning. The cows are getting upset and they're stepping all over those screeching birds. What am I going to do? The neighbors have started a petition to evict me.

You'll get yours! Agnes

December 23, 1972

You rotten prick:

Now there's ten ladies dancing. I don't know why I call those sluts ladies. They've been balling those pipers all night long. Now the cows can't sleep and they've got diarrhea. My living room is a river of shit. The Commissioner of Buildings has subpoenaed me to give cause why the building shouldn't be condemned.

I'm calling the police on you! Agnes

December 24, 1972

Listen Fuckhead:

What's with those eleven lords a leaping on those maids and ladies? Some of those broads will never walk again. Those pipers ran through the maids and have been committing sodomy with the cows. All twenty-three of the birds are dead. They've been trampled to death in the orgy. I hope you're satisfied, you rotten vicious swine.

Your sworn enemy, Agnes

December 25, 1972

Dear Sir:

This is to acknowledge your latest gift of twelve fiddlers fiddling which you have seen fit to inflict on our client, Miss Agnes McHolstein. The destruction, of course, was total. All correspondence should come to our attention. If you should attempt to reach Miss McHolstein at Happy Dale Sanitarium, the attendants have been instructed to shoot you on sight. With this letter please find attached a warrant for your arrest.

Cordially, Law Offices of Badger, Bender and Chole

wordless wednesday.

word{s}

1. Merry Christmas ~
2. santa ~
3. mistletoe ~
4. star ~
5. candy ~
6. tinsel ~
7. naughty ~
8. reindeer ~
9. frosty ~
10. scrooge ~

QOTD.

Last week upon seeing my wordless wednesday and reading the comments the creature had this to say:

"You're supposed to fasten in the front and then turn it around so the clasp is to the back and the bling is to the front. Blondes...sheesh!"

I have to admit that I choked from laughter upon reading this comment. How bad is it that fastening it in the front and then turning it around NEVER once crossed my mind? Seriously. I am going to blame the X. He never bought me bling. I had no need to fasten and turn. Well...that and the few necklaces I have owned and purchased for myself tend to be longer and I just put them on over my head without unclasping. The new necklace just isn't blonde friendly. That being said..perhaps you can teach a blonde a new trick. I love my new bling enough to give it a try.

QOTD:
When was YOUR last blonde moment? {Even if you aren't actually blonde you know you have had at least one.}

Questions. Questions. and more Questions.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

2. Real tree or Artificial?

3. When do you put up the tree?

4. When do you take the tree down?

5. Do you like eggnog?

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

7. Hardest person to buy for?

8. Easiest person to buy for?

9. Do you have a nativity scene?

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

16. Lights on the tree?

17. Favorite Christmas songs?

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?

QOTD.

I am disgruntled. I spent way too much time attempting to isolate a fcuking trojan/malware/spyware/crapware on my computer. The end result is that 12 hours after I noticed I had a problem my computer is clean and seems to be no worse for the wear. It is actually better off now as all my definitions are updated and I have added a few new tools to my interwebs security arsenal.

QOTD:
How often do you scan your computer for crap? Do you make sure that your definitions are up to date without fail? Or are you one who thinks it could NEVER happen to you?

Meal at the Manor.

Appetizer ~
What is the temperature outside right now?

Soup ~
So far today I’ve __________ a __________ and I’ve ___________.

Salad ~
Do you own a gravy boat? Do you actually use it?

Entrée ~
What is on your window ledge?

Dessert ~
How many bottles of beer on the wall?

Yeah. How Much???

Several of you mentioned the Trans-Siberian Orchestra in your answer to the qotd the other day. Today's offering is one of my favorites from their Christmas Eve and Other Stories CD. I hope you enjoy.

Happy Holidays!

wordless wednesday.

Holiday Song Lyrics.

Elf's Lament
Barenaked Ladies featuring
Michael Bublé

I'm a man of reason, and they say 'Tis the season to be jolly
But it's folly when you volley for position

Never in existence has there been such a resistance
To ideas meant to free us
If you could see us, then you'd listen

Toiling through the ages, making toys on garnished wages
There's no union
We're only through when we outdo the competition

I make toys, but I've got aspirations
Make some noise
Use your imagination
Girls and boys, before you wish for what you wish for
There's a list for who's been
Naughty or nice, but consider the price to an elf

A full indentured servitude can reflect on one's attitude
But that silly red hat just makes the fat man look outrageous

Absurd though it may seem, you know, I've heard there's even been illegal doping
And though we're coping, I just hope it's not contagious

You try to start a movement, and you think you see improvement
But when thrown into the moment, we just don't seem so courageous

I make toys, but I've got aspirations
Make some noise
Use your imagination
Girls and boys, before you wish for what you wish for
There's a list for who's been
Naughty or nice, but consider the price to an elf

You look at yourself
You're an elf
And the shelf is just filled with disappointing memories
Trends come and go, and your friends wanna know why you aren't just happy making crappy little gizmos
Every kid knows they'll just throw this stuff away

We're used to repetition, so we drew up a petition
We, the undersigned, feel undermined
Let's redefine "employment"

We know that we've got leverage, so we'll hand the fat man a beverage
And sit back while we attack the utter lack of our enjoyment

It may be tough to swallow, but our threats are far from hollow
He may thunder, but if he blunders, he may wonder where the toys went

I make toys, but I've got aspirations
Make some noise
Use your imagination
Girls and boys, before you wish for what you wish for
There's a list for who's been
Naughty or nice, but consider the price
Naughty or nice, but consider the price
Naughty or nice, but consider the price to an elf.

♫♪♫♪♫♪

If you glance to the sidebar you will notice {if you haven't before} that there is a song waiting to be played and enjoyed. It has been my practice to change the song when the mood hits me. This month I am going to share with you some of my favorite holiday music.
Yesterday's song was Linus and Lucy by the Vince Guaradlti Trio.
Today's song is Dona Nobis Pacem by Yo-Yo Ma, a brilliant and delightful Cellist. Dona Nobis Pacem, a Latin song, most often sung as a round, translated means Give Us Peace. The words are from a Latin Mass. The round dates back to the 16th century.
I hope you enjoy as much as I do.

QOTD:
What do you enjoy listening to during the holidays? Do you have a favorite song you would like to share with us?

oooh. aaah.

My children {and by children I mean the boys because the girl was too tired and it was cold and she needed to make sure the comfy chair didn't fly up off the floor and hit the ceiling } spent Saturday evening putting up my Holiday lights. I helped when and where they needed but for the most part just stayed back and let them do their thing. I LOVE what they created for me. The yard/house looks very festive and when the lights dance to the music it makes me happy.

The kid and I are fine tuning the display with some awesome looking LED lights and I heard rumour last night that one more trip to procure additional lights is necessary. LOL! That is ALL him as I have told him I am finished with my holiday lights purchases for this year.

Last night while we were fine tuning we observed the neighbors outside surveying their house/yard and discussing how they should decorate. {They have a nativity scene in a window but nothing else} The kid and I discussed what they might be saying. "Gosh. The new people are putting us to shame. We had BEST get some lights up."

This morning as I put together this posting I can see and hear them attaching lights to the eaves. I don't think they are having as much fun as we had putting up our lights. They probably need some tunes and stiff drink. tee hee.

QOTD:
Do you light up your house for the holidays? Have you ever either been put to shame or put the neighbours to shame in the whole lighting up the house situation?