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A WEE BIT OF TRIVIA

Well Christmas is past and I'm having the 'after Christmas slump.' I managed to gain a few pounds, my jeans are tight and my hair is giving me fits. It's fine, skinny as spider webs, and very sparse. I bought a hat. That solved that! Sort of.
Sometimes I feel pretty old. Usually after a hard workout, But my spirit is still around 14. I think this is why when people get old they are sometimes accused of going through a second childhood. We like to blow bubbles with bubble gum and even soap bubbles. We find pleasure in simple things like watching birds and caterpillars. We have a deep desire to jump rope and sing the old jump rope songs we learned in grade school, but usually settle for the singing part because our glasses fall off, and our dentures tend to chip as they clack together when we jump, and besides, our front doesn't stay put like it did back then and we don't want a black eye.
No, I did not buy a red hat. I bought a black one to match my black eye.

I know, I know! I need more exercise, but I'm not shaped like this little lady. If I tried what she's doing, my body would stay in that position forever.
Not much needs to be said for this picture. It made me smile and that's enough. I love that sweet boy.

Ok, Ok!!! Now you know. I think he is one of the Lords greatest creations.
MY, OH MY, OH MY!!!!!!!!! Now I really do feel like a 14 year old!

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Testing ImageShack

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Today many men and women will be leaving the loving arms of their families to participate in the war on terrorism.
Remember our brave troops in your prayers.
I especially hold up Ben to our Heavenly Father.
"Almighty Lord of all creation, I ask that you send Armies of Angels to fight beside your son Ben, Protect him from all harm and return him safe and sound to the arms of his loved ones, in Jesus name I ask,
Amen

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MERRY CHRISTMAS

Sir Toodles is not one bit impressed with his new Santa hat, but if he could, I know he would wish you a very merry Christmas.

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MADDIE ROCKING THE BABY

My daughter Patty-Jo and I babysat four of my great grandkids a few weeks ago. What fun!! Really it was. Their Nana and Poppy who are caring for them went to a party and we had the fun of getting them ready for bed and get them tired enough to sleep.

I have dozens of dolls under and on my Christmas tree and let the kids play with them and Kenny found a bag of cars and trucks . It was like Christmas morning with toys scattered all over the house, hearing the car engine noises little boys make and the delighted squeals of the little girls. My little Yorkies were running in circles with all the excitement. Come to think of it, so was I.Eventually they began to wind down and Hailee streteched out on the couch. Her cute little toes were sticking out from under her blanket. Kenny and Maddy were playful right up to the time they passed out. They are both three years old. I just love watching them play and hearing the funny things they say. They are cute as a bug's ear!
I turned on a kiddies movie and Patty held the little ones who were too tired to protest. It wasn't long before I saw Kenny's arm flop down and I knew he was passed out. Aren't sleeping babies just precious?
My little Toodles loves the kids but isn't used to having them around very much. I think he was relieved when they went to sleep.

So were Patty and I. It was fun but they sure wear you out.

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CHRISTMAS COOKIES

This is what I was doing last weekend.

My dear Texas friend Ken told me how to use Blogger to post pictures. He is the sweetest young man ever, and he always has some excellent info on his blog. Go and see for yourself!

About the cookies, I sent this tray to the boys at a local Shipyard. My Brother-in-law and my son-in-law both work there. They have done some nice favors for me so I wanted to do something for them. I also sent some to a Seattle cousin but will post about that later.

Anyhow the cookies are, from top clockwise" Gumdrop Bars, Date Bars and Walnut Bars. Peanut Blossoms are those with the Hershey Kiss and Butter Nut Balls are in the center. The latter are also callen Russian Teacakes and Mexican Teacakes. However in my family we have another name for them.

When my grandson David was around three, I was babysitting him one day while baking cookies. I had just finished a batch of the teacakes when Davey asked for one. I gave it to him and told him to eat it on the back porch so the remains wouldn't get all over the floor. (I was refering to the crumbs) He did, then came back in and asked, "Grandma, can I have more remains?" From that time, we have called them "David's Remains." David is 28 now, with three beautiful little girls.

HAPPY HOLY DAYS EVERYONE.

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I have not been able to post any pictures. ImageShack, Photobucket and Picasa are not cooperating.
So until I get it all fixed, I won't be posting photos. DANG!! Thats my favorite thing to do. and I have hundreds of them.
Anyhow, I just want to let you all know that I'm still on the planet and all's well.
I guess I will have to try to post something interesting without the pic's.

I hope you are all ready for Christmas. I am for a change. I sent the last package yesterday. I made several kinds of cookies over the weekend, and sent a box of them to my Seattle cousin who had sent me a lovely cake-safe. I think thats what it's called. It's a creamy color and the base is on a six inch pedestal. The plate is scalloped with heart shaped cutouts all around the edge. The top is really pretty with a garland of roses around the side and butterflies. I will post a picture as soon as I can.

My sisters are coming today. We will watch a movie, 'Hobson's Choice' and go out for lunch. I love having time with them, but especially at Christmas time. We have so many wonderful memories of our childhood, which is many-many years past, and the precious Christmases with mom and dad.
It's funny how reminiscing with them can bring back the warm, sweet feelings. Thank God for good memories.

We don't have snow right now. Good thing too. I recently bought around 260 flower bulbs, daffodils, tulips, iris and can't remember what else, and need to get them planted soon. My son in law has a karaoke show and met a lady who has a nursery. She had a lot of bulbs left and is selling them very cheap. I'm always a sucker for a flower! LOL. Now if my back will just hold up for the job.

Enough said for now.
God bless and keep you all in his loving care.
HE'S THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

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SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHRISTMAS THINGS

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Whale Appreciation

Click on title for a few pictures.

This is probably the smallest slide show ever. I wasn't able to post the pictures separately. (Still learning)
I don't know how old this story is but I just saw it for the first time and think it deserves a post.

"If your read the front page of the SF Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale that had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines.
She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, and a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallone Islands (outside Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.
Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her. A very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her. When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. Then she came back to each and every diver, one at a time and nudged them, pushing them gently around, she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.
The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same."

The following was added to the e-mail in which this story was sent, and I pray it for you.

"May you and all those you love be so blessed and fortunate
to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled
from the things that are binding you.
And may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

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