More Grits Please

We went back to Cracker Barrel this morning and had the same breakfast we had two days ago. Had to have my grits fix.

The reason we went back so soon was so I could get a soy Oatmeal Cookies scented candle. They were out of them and were expecting a shipment in yesterday. I ended up getting not only the Oatmeal Cookies, but also Cinnamon Buns, Snickerdoodle Cookies, and Strawberry Shortcake. Each jar has a recipe card attached to it.

I love candles and have at least two burning every day in the dining room and the bathroom.

Soy candles are the best. They burn evenly all the way down and there's absolutely no soot. Very clean candles. The only way to go.

Well, I'm off to get ready to welcome in the new year. I hope each and every one of you have a very Happy New Year!

Funny What Triggers A Memory

Thursday we went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast and we didn't have to wait to be seated. Nice. I've never eaten breakfast there, only lunch and dinner. So I had the mother of all breakfasts: eggs, turkey sausage patties, hash browns (the stringy kind, not the patties), melt-in-your-mouth biscuits, and grits with a side of gravy.

The biscuits, gravy and grits are nothing compared to what you get in the South. I had never eaten grits until the late 80's when I went to Florida with my then future husband. He was working and had a load of dog food headed for somewhere south of Orlando. I took the week off so I could go with him. We both worked at the same place so I was allowed to ride along.

Once I got a taste of those biscuits, not to mention falling in love with grits too, I couldn't get enough of either one. I always say I ate my way down and back home too. The food in the South is out of this world. I didn't want to come home. I had lost a lot of weight and was at my skinniest weight ever when we left. I think I put on 5 pounds by the time we got back.

While we were down there, we took in many of the attractions. We went to Disney, Epcot Center, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Cypress Gardens and lots of other places.

Two years later we took my then 16-year-old daughter along and visited the same places. That trip lasted a bit longer because we couldn't find a return load right away. We eventually loaded fresh chicken parts packed in ice headed for New York City. But we had to drop my daughter off before delivering so she could see the boyfriend she was missing so much while on the trip. We still managed to have a good time despite her constant complaining.

I would love to go back down but I don't foresee that in the future so memories will have to suffice for now.

Boring Boring Boring

So far this has been a very slow week for me. I am so out of synch it's not even funny. You see, my husband is home on vacation. So that means my routine has been upset big time. Take today for instance. We slept late, did absolutely nothing all day, napped this afternoon ~ and that is something that I never do ~ we had leftovers for dinner and then watched TV till he fell asleep. At 11 PM I shut the TV off and here I am, finally.

During the week when he is at work and I have the whole day to myself, I am usually on the computer off and on during the day. But this week I am only able to get on late at night. So y'all just have to bear with me until next week when I get my butt back in gear.

Tomorrow we're going for breakfast but I have no idea what will happen after that. We had spoken about going to the casino in Atlantic City one day this week but I don't see that happening. Tuesday we went to Kmart and I found a lot of Dale Jr ornaments at half price. I am getting to the point of almost having an all Dale Jr Christmas tree. I do know one thing: I will be getting rid of a lot of decorations as soon as it gets warm enough to burn them.

There are only 45 days left until the Budweiser Shootout on February 11th. Bring it on baby, I can hardly wait. I hope 2006 will be a better year for both myself and for Dale Jr.

A Quiet Christmas

The past three days were quiet and very enjoyable. Christmas Eve was spent at his brother's place with a sit-down meal. There were 12 adults, 2 teens, and 4 children. After the meal gifts were opened by the children.

Christmas Day was spent at our house, just the two of us. We watched movies all day and did absolutely nothing else.

On Monday we had my daughter and her boyfriend over for our Christmas meal, and we all opened gifts.

It was a good Christmas after all. My spirits have been lifted somewhat, despite everything I experienced over the past year.

So I am looking forward to 2006. I can only hope that it will be better all the way around.

This Is What I'm Talking About

Paul Harvey says: I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his theory of evolution. Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game. "But it's a Christian prayer," some will argue. Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect-somebody chanting Hare Krishna? If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer. If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha. And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome... "But what about the atheists?" is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer! Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations. Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating; to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me. The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we let that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard.... that the vast majority don't care what they want. It is time the majority rules! It's time we tell them, you don't have to pray; you don't have to say the pledge of allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right. But by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back and we WILL WIN! God bless us one and all, especially those who denounce Him. God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all. God bless our service men and women who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God. May 2006 be the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions.

AMEN!

Dear Santa:

I think I've been a good girl (for the most part) so I am sending you my wish list.

1) Win the lottery

2) 2006 Ford pickup truck

3) 2006 red Mustang convertible

4) My house to be cleaned professionally top to bottom

5) An RV to follow the Nascar circuit

6) Meet Dale Jr and spend a day (or a week) with him

Sorry Santa, I got a little carried away. Those wishes could take place in a perfect world. Something none of us have. So let's be a little more realistic. Here are my real thoughts on each of my wishes:

1) A lot of people who win lotteries don't/can't control their spending. And a lot of them fall on bad luck and end up having all kinds of problems, even where money is not concerned.

2) This may be a reality. We do need another truck. The '97 F150 Ford gets 275 miles put on it in one week and that's just back and forth to work.

3) Actually we were going to buy an '06 Mustang (and keep my '97), but that was before I lost my job.

4) As far as cleaning my house, I either do it myself or it doesn't get done at all.

5) Another dream gone up in smoke.

6 Ha! Ha! ~ who the hell am I kidding?

Anyway, if we don't have dreams like these, what point is there to living? Without dreams there's no purpose to life. Theologists will tell you differently. I'm talking about the average person here. And I am as average as one can get. So I will just keep on dreaming...for now anyway.

Christmas Is Coming!

Hey.....welcome back, y'all! It's Monday and I am feeling a bit better about the upcoming holidays. Don't get me wrong, I am not all that excited, but it is better.

We went to visit the gravesites yesterday and left our flowers. That was for my parents, grandparents, my husband's mother (whom I never knew), and his first-born son that only lived a few days. (We were both married before.)

And...Ta Da! We also got that infamous Christmas tree, which is now standing naked in the living room. I dragged all the necessary decorations up this morning and I am proud to say it only took four trips. I think normally it should have been at least eight or more trips but I was not in the mood for that.

Thinking back on Christmases past, when I was small my parents used to split up our visitations for the day. We'd open our gifts Christmas morning, have breakfast (or maybe it was breakfast first), and then we'd go to my maternal grandmother. I never knew my grandfather as he passed away when my mother was only 14.

So we'd eat there, open gifts, and then it was off to my paternal grandparents for the remainder of the evening. And yes, more to eat and more gifts to open. So it gave us a very busy day and it usually went fast, but we were treated to good food all day.

As we got older and married with families of our own, we sometimes split our Christmas between our parents. By then the grandparents were all gone. I think I was the only one of us three that devoted the entire day of Christmas to my parents. My ex-husband's parents were usually visited Christmas Eve.

Some of my happiest memories of Christmas are when my entire family gathered at my parents' house. But we no longer have that privilege because, as you know, they are now gone. My sister lives out of state, and my brother has his own familiy get-togethers.

Does that make me unhappy? No. I find happiness in other ways. I have my husband, my daughter and her boyfriend. And my parents in my heart.

Where Was I?

Sorry I didn't post yesterday but I was under the weather most of the day.

We are finally going for our tree today. I'm not looking forward to it either. Since he has problems with his knee he can't walk very far, so we will have to settle for a precut. Oh boy, and then I get to decorate it. OK, I'll try to tone it down somewhat. Sorry for getting so excited. Not.

We will start the day by going for breakfast and then the pet store for my bunny's yogurt snacks. I think she'd kill for them. And I always have to give her two. If I give her only one she goes absolutely nuts till I hand the other one over, so I know she can at least count to two. Yes, I have a very smart bunny.
You believe me, don't you? You don't? Aw, that's too bad.

The tree excursion should be fun. We usually visit the same farm every year except this year it has new owners. And I am anxious to see what changes they have made in the shops.

I just don't look forward to dragging the stuff from the basement upstairs. But he said he'd help me decorate. I should make him do the whole tree. Yeah, that'll go over big. Although I remember he did it once before because I refused. I get that way every once in awhile.

Well that's enough rattling around for the time being.

What A Wimp

The 'big' storm is over. Oh, it snowed a lot and then it changed over to sleet and maybe freezing rain but around 11 PM the temperature started to climb, so I knew we wouldn't be getting any ice. It was up to 36 degrees when I went to bed.

As of now, the sun is shining and everything is dry plus the temperature is up to 40 degrees.

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

Here's a question for y'all:

Why do my husband's underwear always come out of the dryer inside out, when that's not the way I put them in? This has been an on-going question ever since dryers came on the scene. It drives me absolutely nuts. Maybe I should turn them inside out before I put them in.

And another question about laundry: How do socks get lost from the washer to the dryer? Where on earth do those suckers go?

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

I love to read and I have been doing it ever since I learned how. I don't mean just reading, I mean everything I can my hands on that interests me. For the past few years as soon as I am finished with a book I start another one. Guess you could call me a 'chain-reader.' My favorite paperbacks are the historic romances about Native Americans. I especially like the ones that go deep into a tribe's history. I am not a 'romance reader' per se, I just like to read about Native Americans, wishing I were living back then.

Oh Crap and Other Ramblings

It has just started to snow. Our winter warning is in effect until noon tomorrow (Friday). Happy happy joy joy!

We are supposed to get 1-3" of snow, changing to a wintry mix of snow and sleet, then freezing rain with a possibility of all rain before ending by noon tomorrow.

I am not complaining. I don't have to go anywhere. I can stay snug as a bug inside my cozy home. Except to feed the stray cats. I've been going outside more than the normal two times because their water and food keeps freezing. I am more than happy to accomodate the little guys.

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

Do things this Christmas season because you enjoy doing them, and not because it is expected of you. Learn to say no and mean it.

Always remember, miracles are all about you every day, no matter what is going on in your little corner of the world.

I am a powerful believer in prayer, and I am not ashamed to say that I use it every day.

No matter who you worship, it's better than being an atheist.

If it takes a lot to make you happy, then your expectations are way too high.

Sometimes happiness can be found in the most unexpected ways. For me, I'm happy when I watch the cats playing in the snow, and I am especially happy that they are all still with us.

These are my humble thoughts that I just wanted to share with y'all.

They're Closing In

We live on the edge of a "village" nestled in the middle of prime farm land. We moved here 20 years ago when there were very few houses. Today we've grown by approximately 30 new houses. The majority of these people came here from other states. Mainly New York and New Jersey.

We're lucky in that we have 3 acres and no one can get too close to us. My chiropractor lives on one side and on the other side is a family we rarely see because they keep to themselves, and our empty lot sits between us. There is no one across the street. But that farm land will probably sell off to a developer within a few years.

I'm not happy with the way farmland is being bought up by developers. It not only takes beauty away, but it also takes wild animals' habitats away. And that makes me very unhappy.

If I could, I would have all the wild animals living in my backyard. I know, there wouldn't be enough room ~ but I can dream can't I?

Good News ~ Bad News

The good news is, it's not my video card that is causing my monitor to disobey.

The bad news is, it's my monitor. Now, the reason it's bad news is the monitor I want to replace this one with costs a whole heckuva lot more than it would cost for me to have the video card replaced.

We took my "tower" to the computer doctor today. And it was actually my husband's suggestion. First we stopped off and asked different things and since they were open until 3 and we only live up the street a little, he suggested going home for it and bringing it back.

The tecnician tested it on another monitor they had there and showed us what it should look like at different brightness and contrast settings. Then to be on the safe side he did a video card test too. I am glad to say the computer passed that test with flying colors.

So now I get to do what I've been wanting to do for a while: upgrade to a 19" flat panel LCD monitor. (I have a 15" CRT dinosaur monitor.)

Soooooo...guess where we are going tomorrow? Yup, off to get my new monitor. I can hardly wait.

Things You Do Not Know About Me

I love quilts ~ I'd buy every one of them if I could ~ and I probably wouldn't even use them.

My favorite color when I was small was green. Then as I got older it was blue. Now it's any shade of purple and that will never change.

I have a lop-eared rabbit and take care of various stray cats (as of now there are 3 adults, 4 kittens).

I drive a '97 deep violet Mustang with a special axle gear ratio. It rocks.

I also drive, on occasion, a '97 Ford F150 pickup truck. It is what I used back and forth to work ~ a 25 mile drive one way.

I watch TV on a 61" screen and if and when we need another TV the screen will probably be bigger. Add a surround sound system and is it any wonder I am a TV addict.

I have an older brother and a younger sister. My brother has two sons and four grandsons, and my sister has two daughters and two grandaughters. I am the middle child and have one daughter and no grandchildren, proving once again that I am the oddball. But that's ok as I enjoy my position in life.

My favorite season of the year is Spring because it is a time of new beginnings and everything is fresh. My wedding anniversary is in April as a result.

My second favorite season is Summer because it's warm. Anything less than 65-70 degrees to me is cold.

I love all animals but I am not fond of bugs (ewwww creepy crawlers).

I don't like to cook full meals for more than two people. But I will if I have to, which is a rarity for me these days.

I have been watching what I eat for as long as I can remember and am on a semi-diet once again. That means I have cut out the nasties (cookies, cakes, pies, ice cream ~ you know the stuff I'm talking about.)

I hate spinach or anything that resembles it. If I want to eat "sea weed" I'll live in the ocean. Oh, I am not fond of shellfish either.

I have a very large collection of porcelain dolls ~ 3/4's are still in the boxes.
I also have a collection of Cherished Teddies, beanie baby bears, and Dale Earnhardt Jr diecast cars. (I've stopped collecting all of these items though simply because I ran out of room as to where to put them).

So now y'all know a little bit more about me.

If and when I think of more I'll post them at a later date.

More Computer Problems

As if I didn't have enough problems with my blog earlier this week that threw me into a tizzy, I now have another. Last night my monitor darkened. I've never messed with those buttons on the front. The guy that set up my computer four years ago said I didn't need to touch them. So I never did.

Well, something had to be done. At first I panicked but then what else is new with me and panic? So I asked "Jeeves". Then I started playing with those buttons because Jeeves was talking about brightness and contrast.

When I went to brightness it was at 50% ~ and contrast was 100%. I had to put brightness at 100% to bring it to where it was before it went dark.

It's back to normal now, but I am wondering what happens if it ever darkens again. It can't go any higher. A new monitor perhaps?

From Horses To...Whatever

I've never owned a horse. My parents did not have a farm, just a two acre plot in the country 'burbs. They also did not think it wise to let me have a horse. And so I dreamed...

My yearbook from my senior year said that I was probably going to work on a horse farm somewhere in the south. Yes, I would have loved that at that time. But things and time change so much. So here I am living in the outskirts of a 'burb myself on a three acre plot with a passel of stray cats, an "indoor" bunny and my husband. And I just want to say life doesn't get much better than this.

I'm happy and content right now. But like everything else, that could change too. We never know when the other shoe is going to drop.

The gist of this post today is, so many of us have big dreams right out of high school. A lot go on to pursue their dreams. Others, like me, just let life get its grip on us and wander through it.

Looking back, there's really not much I would change although I could say I wouldn't have married who I did the first time around. But then I wouldn't have my daughter either. We had to wait eleven years until she arrived, but she was well worth the wait.

OK, so I realize I've given y'all much too much information about me than normal, so I'd better quit while I'm ahead.

WTF

Well that was scary. I couldn't get access to my own blog. What's up with that? The page that showed up said I was not allowed to view it. Say what? Why did that happen, and what can be done about it in the future? It is a very, very scary thing to have happen.

I also experience another problem. After I post, whenever I go back into my blog whatever I just posted doesn't show up. If I scroll to the bottom of the page and go back to the top it will be there. I am getting very frustrated by that. Does anyone out there have a problem viewing my blog, or even what I just posted?

...Speaking of Grinches

Whew! I thought we weren't going to have a Christmas tree this year. Well, I'm not so crazy about that idea because I can celebrate Christmas without a tree. But, up until this morning, my living room was piled full of boxes and plastic bags that must go to charity. We planned on doing it when it was warmer but, as usual, just never got around to it.

Also, until this morning, I was about half way done with my middle bedroom (storage room actually), so I tightened up in there and took everything for charity and put it all in the storage room too. When I was finished there wasn't much room to spare.

So, what I am getting at here, is the fact that although I wasn't planning on having a tree, my Christianity reared its head and said "Girl...you better make room for a tree." And so I did.

Now, let's get to the 'meat' of this post. I am getting a tad perturbed about these people/groups that want to do away with the word Christmas, as in Merry Christmas or Christmas tree, and want to replace it with the word 'holiday.' Get real!

PEOPLE...give me a break here. If you don't like it, go back where you came from! It has been with us for generations and, frankly, I am getting pissed off that anyone is even thinking about changing it. Or doing away with it altogether. And if you're an atheist, big deal. Go worship a rock, but don't tell me what to do.

Why? Why is anyone messing with our traditions? I don't tell them how to live, so don't change my life. Who pissed in their Wheaties anyway? No one is telling them how to celebrate, or not celebrate at all. If they don't like what they see in a particular store (I believe it was Walmart that someone complained about), for cripes' sake shop elsewhere!

At this time of the year Christmas is everywhere. Live with it. There are many, many people out there who would give their right arm just to be able to celebrate it. Like the homeless people, etc.

Hey, there are a lot of things in this world that I don't like, but I close my eyes to them and go on about my business. My gosh, why must people make mountains out of molehills? This is just about the dumbest, most stupid thing I have heard or read about.

I just hate it when others want to take something away because they think their idea is better. That's just plain bull sh*t!

Remember MMO'H? I refuse to type her whole name out, but her last name rhymes with Oh Cher. Remember what she tried to do? And look what happened to her.

Even Scrooge came to his senses.

Newest Family Member

Please let me introduce you to my new grandkitty. She is nine weeks old and is a grey tiger.

Her name is Dixie Chopper.

Have been told she loves her new mommy and daddy and especially enjoys sleeping on mommy's pillow.

Although I don't have a picture of her, she looks something like the one in the photo above, but much younger.

Third Time In A Row

-- Dale Earnhardt Jr. has won his third straight Chex NMPA NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award.

The announcement was made Friday during the National Motorsports Press Association's Myers Brothers Awards Breakfast at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York. A record number of fans nationwide have again voted the North Carolinian as the most popular driver.

"It's a huge honor to win the Most Popular Driver award just one time, but to win it three times in a row is pretty overwhelming. I just want to thank the fans, and I want to thank Chex and the National Motorsports Press Association for the award," Earnhardt said.

Of the 4,157,443 votes cast, 1,403,544 votes were for Junior. The popular driver pulled in 1/3 of all votes!

Mommy, You're Never Gonna Believe This

Here's a cute story from my husband's past. He likes to tell it every once in awhile.

Way back when he was oh so much younger, he used to haul dog food into the South, and as far south as Miami. Sometimes a return load of fruit wasn't available right away, so he and some of his friends, who were also waiting for return loads, would go to the beach for swimming, sunshine and just plain old relaxation.

On one particular day the ocean was a bit testy and the waves were higher than usual. But they went in anyway. This was around the time Jaws was in the theaters.

It wasn't long before a big ole wave smacked him upside the head so hard it knocked his bottom set of dentures out. He never found them. But he did find humor in what happened that day.

He turned to his buddy and said "Imagine them washing up onto the beach and a little kid comes along, sees them, and yells 'jaws! jaws!'"

Gee, I Wonder Why

Today it's exactly six months since I last worked. No, I should rephrase that because I do work at home, so it's been six months since I last held a job. June 1st. That was the day I was left go because I didn't answer the phone on the third ring. Yes folks you read that right. New manager, new rules. Forget that I was there over 13 years and the only one who was there the longest.

However, in those six months, I managed to bring down my blood pressure and my cholesterol. Two things I have been battling for many, many years.

And it has just dawned on me as to why both those numbers have dropped. I would like to take the liberty here to quote a good friend of mine:

IT'S BECAUSE I NO LONGER WORK AT THAT FREAK SHOW!

And I thank God every day that I am no longer there, and I also ask Him to bless the two that proved to be the only friends I had that still work there. Bless their souls. They know who they are.

No one else matters any more. And for those that no longer count, here ya go:

What goes around, comes around.

Hurts So Bad

If I have one gripe in this world it is this:

What ever gave our ancestors the right to do what they did to the Native Americans? I will never understand how that happened and I am ashamed to admit that it did.

If you ever want to get me on my 'soapbox' in a hurry, just bring that subject up and you will get an ear full.

The settlers came here and just helped themselves to everything. And they haven't stopped. They have desecrated Mother Earth to no end. Why? When will the original inhabitants ever get back what is rightfully theirs?

I once watched a TV program where the settlers were being 'bothered' by Native Americans and they couldn't figure out why. One of them said "What do they want? Why can't they just leave us alone? This is our land, they can't take it away." Excuse me? Your land? How can that be? Just who did you purchase it from? Or rather, who did you take it away from?

Think about it. How would you feel if someone came to your house and told you to get out because they 'wanted it' and thought they were superior to you? And they just kept pushing and pushing until you finally either fought back or just gave up. The majority of the Native Americans back then did not just give up. They were a proud people and all they wanted was their right to live where they wanted. To live off the land; to come and go as they wanted and were used to doing. And please, don't even bring up the word progress. Because I don't want to hear it.

I have put off writing about this subject because I know how upset and angry it makes me when I think about it. Sometimes I just have to put my thoughts down on paper to alleviate any pain, but it's just too strong. No, my pain for them will never go away. Ever.

Jasper here again...

The only reason I am back here again sitting in for mom is because I have lost a dear cyber friend. Princess Jewel is her name. She belonged to Mr. Pratt.

She was a good bunny and somewhat of a celebrity, as her photo appeared almost every Monday on his blog.

Rabbits don't cry but my mommy sure did as she was reading Mr. Pratt's farewell on his site about his beloved Princess Jewel.

Hey Princess Jewel, I'll see you up there and we'll have a good time running and playing waiting for our masters to join us. Till then, good friend, peace be with you.

Johnny, I Miss You

I was never a Joaquin Phoenix fan, but I wasn't going to let that deter me from seeing Walk The Line because I have always been a big fan of Johnny Cash.

So Saturday night we went to the movies, again. I haven't been in a movie theater in years, but we have now managed to get there twice within the month.

Guess what? I became a Joaquin Phoenix fan instantly. He does his own singing (he had to take lessons) as did Reese Witherspoon. I never followed her career either. She plays June Carter in the movie.

It was an excellent movie along with excellent acting and singing by Joaquin and Reese. They make you feel like you're actually watching Johnny and June.

I followed Johnny's career up until the day he died in '03, and believe me it was a very sad day for me when he left this good earth. When June died a few months earlier, he not only lost his only true love but his best friend also. I miss them both.

Something's Missing This Weekend

Gee, what's missing you ask? Well, for starters, Friday would have been Nascar practice and/or qualifications. Sometimes those were done on a Saturday. Today the Busch race would have been run. Watching Martin Truex Jr. week after week defending his championship title was fun. (He won it again this year.) And next year he steps up to the big leagues and will be in the Cup races. And his teammate will be none other than Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

Of course, Sunday would be the Cup race. This is the first weekend without my racing "fix" and I am climbing the walls. There were weekends this past season where there wasn't a race, but I knew there would be one the following weekend and that helped to get me through the week.

I wish I could take a long nap and when I wake up it would be February and Speed Weeks at Daytona.

I have a countdown reminder ticking away on my desktop screen telling me how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until the Daytona 500!
Something tells me this is going to be a longer wait than in the years past. At least then I had work to keep me occupied. I suppose I could watch old races ~ but it's just not the same.

Hey, February, can we speed it up a little bit?

How We Spent Thanksgiving

The first order of business after I got up this morning was to feed all the animals inside and outside. Then breakfast was prepared for the two of us. Sorry, animals come first around here.

We then watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (which, by the way, I wasn't too thrilled about ~ what happened to all the balloons?), and then we watched the dog show for awhile. I read the paper while my husband watched TV. He found an Antonio Banderas movie (1996's Two Much) and I stopped what I was doing and glued my eyes on the TV. Love that man!

We ate our turkey and fixings around 4 PM and then relaxed after the dishes and all the leftovers were put away. During the meal, and for some time afterward, we listened to satellite radio via our satellite TV system. They have channels for 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's music. And I heard that there are 65 channels. WOW. I have only sampled about ten of them so far.

Later we watched Survivor, CSI, and Without A Trace. I usually watch ER but it wasn't on tonight. That stupid Apprentice was on instead.

So all in all, it was a quiet holiday with just the two of us enjoying one another and at times getting on each other's nerves. I think at one point he said "Remind me never to retire." Oh well, I can't please everyone!

H A P P Y ~ T H A N K S G I V I N G

How Windy Was It?

Yesterday it was soooo windy...

...that my cats didn't even come out to eat.

...that our heavy two-seater swing that was wedged up against the deck rail was blown over the rail into the yard and flung up against the lilac bush by the light pole with its legs up in the air like some long dead prehistoric monster.

...that when I was running back to my warm house after putting food out for the cats, the wind blew me off course that the grass and my face were almost introduced to one another.

And to top it all off, it was 20 degrees when I went out this morning to feed the cats. Ouch!

All I can say is I hate Winter ~ until the first snowfall. Quiet, peaceful, serene. But then I don't want to see anymore of it because I'm ready for Spring. Bring it on!

He Made The Front Page...

Last week, while driving a company tractor trailer, my husband somehow took down a light standard while attempting to make a turn.

I believe, had the light standard/pole been okay to start with, his rig should never have done what it did.

The bracket for it was too low. When he hit that, it all came down on top of the trailer and he couldn't move. The city had to remove it. Two pictures were in the local paper; one on the front page in color and one on page five in black and white.

The police gave him a citation. Damn! There were no signs giving the height of the bracket, like they post at underpasses. And there were no signs saying "No trucks allowed." We have a blow-up of the front page photo and anyone can clearly see there was nothing he could have done to prevent what happened.

He was told by the officer to send a certain amount of money to the address on the citation for a hearing. Then he can either attend the hearing (and lose a day's wages I might add), or call in. I don't know how that works since nothing like this has ever happened to me. After that, the charges are supposedly dropped and he will get a refund (?).

Well, slap my ass! Why go through all that if it's going to be dropped? Do I smell a small-town scam here? Will he be contacted for a hearing? Will we get the money back? Just what is this all about? Stay tuned, and I'll let you know when I know. But don't hold your breath.

True Champions

Congratulations to Tony Stewart on winning the 2005 Nextel Cup Championship!

May he win many more.

Also congratulations to Martin Truex Jr. on winning the 2005 Busch Series Championship and also to Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Teresa Earnhardt, co-owners of the Busch team.

Both drivers truly deserved to win.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And now I begin my annual countdown to Speed Weeks 2006 in Daytona. It cannot come soon enough!

Today's Guest Blogger: Jasper

Hello ~
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Jasper and I am a lop-eared rabbit.
I was born in the Spring of 1995, so that makes me 10-1/2 years old.
My owner "rescued" me when I was a wee bunny at a very tender age.

It seems the master of the house has an older brother who knew someone that needed to find a good home for me. He immediately thought of the master's wife, her being an animal lover you know.

So one rainy day, during an electrical storm no less, the brother brought me to this house. The owners were both at work, so he found an empty 12-pack soda carton, put me in it, placed me on the ground, and then put a wheelbarrow (upside down) over me.

I was so frightened! I didn't know what I did to deserve that kind of treatment, and I missed my mommy so much. Well, there was nothing I could do about this predicament I was in, so I kept quiet and didn't move.

The owner's wife received a phone call from the brother at work telling her where I was and why I was there. (She told me all this later.) So, when she took that awful wheelbarrow away and lifted me out of that box with such gentle loving hands, I was so grateful and I knew I WAS HOME!

In those first weeks "mom" took me to a strange place to see a veterinarian. They had me spayed because I was told it would help me to live longer. The rabbit before me (that would be Shelby) wasn't spayed and she died of cancer at age 6-1/2 years, but not before we met each other. We got into a fight one day and "mom" kept us apart after that.

I am very well cared for and I couldn't find better "parents." They are so good to me. They never yell when I tear my newspapers apart in my pen. Sometimes I shred them and sometimes I make tunnels to hide under. I get all kinds of treats, and almost every night my "mom" shares her apple with me. Yummmmm. I have also just started getting Cheerios. Thank you Mr. Pratt for giving my "mom" that idea.

Well, I am getting very tired now so I am going to take my power nap. Maybe I can come back soon and write some more.

Garth, Please Come Back

I watched the CMA Awards the other night, and the main reason I did so (besides the fact that nothing else was on) was because I wanted to see Garth Brooks perform. It's been, what, 5 years he's been away from recording?

I didn't realize how much I missed him till I saw the promos for that show. So I wasn't going to miss seeing him.

He supposedly "retired" so he could be a father to his three small daughters and vowed not to come back until the youngest was 18. She is now only 9. I think he'd better take back those words.

He should be singing for us all once again! And he should be married to Trisha Yearwood so they can make music together. In more ways than one.
I know he has a single coming out for the Holidays, but I want more, more, more!

(P.S. ~ my favorite country music artists, besides Garth, are Toby Keith and Keith Urban)

What Was He Thinking?

I'm not a Kurt Busch fan. Never was and never will be. So when I found this open letter dealing with the subject of what Kurt did a couple days ago, I found it quite amusing and would like to share it. This is for my Nascar friends out there:

To whom it may concern.
Regarding the future employment of NASCAR driver Kurt Busch by Penske Racing, and the Miller Brewing Company I would implore you to re-think and re-evaluate this contract.
After so many fine years of representation of Miller Brewing's products by Rusty Wallace I can't even begin to imagine that Mr. Busch is the type of person that Miller Brewing would want as the catalyst for any advertising campaign. Especially in light of recent developments.
Arrogant, belligerent, cocky, snot nosed, and spoiled are all words used to describe Mr. Busch by the press and race fans alike even before his recent run in with the law. I have to ask if is this the type of personality you want associated with your products? The kind of person you want customers, and potential customers, to relate to when choosing an adult beverage? I would hope not. To have Kurt Busch representing your product to me is unthinkable, and no amount of 'spin' will change the way I, and many thousands of other NASCAR fans, feel about Kurt Busch. This is true now more than ever.
Yes, he's won a championship, but he's never been 'a champion'.
NASCAR fans are a notoriously brand loyal lot, as you no doubt already know. They will also abandon a product over something such as this at the drop of a hat. Even now, before even donning a Miller emblazoned driving suit, has the name of Miller Brewing been bandied about in a negative light.
Yes, Mr. Busch made an error in judgement, several errors in judgement at that. The speeding, reckless driving, running a stop sign, even the alcohol on his breath could be forgivable under certain circumstances provided that the person in question was sincere in mending his ways. But we've all seen Mr. Busch's 'sincerity' in the past. Nothing ever changes.
But the unforgivable aspect of this entire sordid incident is his disrespect for the law enforcement officers that finally managed to reign in this loose cannon. To call an officer of the law a 'wimp', and tell him that he should be 'out directing traffic' is inexcusable and an affront to all the law enforcement officers throughout America, and to all American citizens as well.
These brave men and women are sworn to enforce the laws of this great land and insure public safety. To have them treated as they were by Mr. Busch is beyond comprehension. To ask them "Do you know who I am?" shows in NO uncertain terms that Mr. Busch feels himself superior to others, and above the law as well.
In closing let me ask once again that you divest yourselves of this putrid piece of human excrement before even more damage is done to the good name that the Miller Brewing Company has built over many years.

Obviously I didn't write this. I also left off the name of the person that did. I especially like the last sentence. Kurt Busch has offended far too many people and he is finally getting his "due." And his little brother Kyle is not too far behind him.

Clueless

I wonder why my husband is so jealous of my computer. He doesn't want to know how to use it and always says computers are wrong etc. Yet, when he needs to know something he tells me to look it up on my computer.

Whenever I am on, he gets very jealous. I'm not understanding it at all.
Like this past Sunday ~ by 2:30 I was finished with what I had to do both outside and inside. It was too early for the race on TV. So I took a few minutes to check out some things and to post my Sunday scripture.

He had gone outside after sleeping very late. He needs to catch up on his sleep since he had his knee operation and cannot sleep nights due to the pain. He can't take pain pills as he still drives tractor trailer for a living.

He came inside, popped his head in the door, and said rather disgustingly "Oh, you're on the computer."

Well, duh, that was easy to see. It's not like I'm making love to it or anything.

I'm now wondering if he is jealous because he would like to learn how to use it but doesn't quite know how to ask?

Talk About Being Addle-Brained...

When I had to clean out my parents' house, one of the many things I had to do was call an auction house to sell the majority of the contents. We would have loved to had an on-site auction but there just wasn't enough available parking.

Two men from the auction came and loaded what they thought would sell. Most of the items sold the first day; however, a few items were sold the following week. Therefore, I received two checks, one very large one and one very small one.

I then composed a letter to my two siblings explaining how much money was generated less the auction's percentage, fees, etc. I addressed two envelopes (one for my brother, one for my sister), stamped them, put my return address sticker on each, and put those into a folder along with the letter.

This past Saturday we took the two checks (made out to me) to the post office where there was a copier. I made copies of them to put into each envelope. I concentrated so I would get the right check that I had written into each correct envelope.

When we left there, we went for breakfast at a diner a couple miles down the road. We pulled in, parked, and my husband asked me if he needed to lock the truck. It was then I remembered: I didn't take the checks from the auction out of the copier!

I could have died. Oh My God! How could I be so stupid? I was so worried about who got what check that I forgot to remove what were now my checks!

So, obviously, we needed to get back to the post office in a hurry. And, of course, when you're in a hurry with an emergency to boot, everyone is in your way or is going extra slow.

I figured if the checks were not there I would just call the auction people and have them put a "stop payment" on them. My husband suggested that maybe a good Samaritan found them and turned them in at the counter. I, of course, didn't believe that for one minute and just wanted to throw up.

To make a long story short, the checks were still in the copier. So, yeah, every once in a while I do have some good luck.

It's A Cruel World

Today I am very sad...

There is a man who is breathing his last breaths these past few days. I don't know how long he has to live. His whole body is ravaged with cancer. God, I abhor that word.

This man is the father of five wonderful children ranging in age from 3 to 14. They need and love their father, yet he is being taken from them. He is only 39.

I just read his wife's post today and it is very gut-wrenching. I really don't understand it when bad things happen to good people.

This horrible beast of a disease has torn apart so many families and it's just not fair or right. And I am so not understanding the why of it. Especially the little children. It just tears me apart reading their parents' posts.

What really boggles my mind is these children, who don't know anything else, truly believe that it is the way life is to be. And because of that they are not angry and just accept their fate.

All I can ask is: WHAT's WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?????

Why aren't we doing more for these people, especially the innocent babies. By now a cure should have been found. Why are we, as a Nation, so backward in these things?

Top 10 Reasons Why Horses Are Better Than Men

10. If your horse starts to stray, you can just throw a rope around his neck.

9. You can see to it that your horse is well groomed.

8. Once you break a horse, he'll always be obedient.

7. A horse can understand why you'd want to buy your shoes in sets of
four.

6. Horses are into "stable" relationships.

5. You can have horses gelded and they hardly seem to notice.

4. A horse would rather munch his wild oats than sow them.

3. You can lead a horse to water, but a man will insist on driving and get you lost.

2. Any man would have to admit that next to a horse he feels somehow...inadequate.

1. There are plenty of good horses to go around!

I couldn't think of anything to write about today, so I thought I would just post this.

Dark And Gloomy Days

Yesterday it was very dreary here in northeastern PA ~ raining and cold. Yuck! I can only take this time of the year if there is sunshine. Without that, the days suck. Makes one get very depressed. I hate that word: depressed. It's depressing in and of itself.

On another similar note...
I don't usually like being called a whiner and I have never been called that to my face that I can remember. Oh sure, I've dished it out to others and I still do. Mostly kidding. Whiners do not have my respect. And they come from all walks of life.

I'm not saying that I don't whine, I do. But my husband is the only one that hears it these days. Well, my rabbit does too, but she accepts me for what and who I am. As does my husband. He doesn't have much choice.

Isn't it funny how all pets are so understanding? They don't ask for much but they sure do give a lot in return. And they sure do lift that old depression and put it right where it belongs ~ in the trash.

At least today the sun is shining. But it is cold and windy. There I go, whining again. I think I'll go have a glass of WINE; that will put me in a much better mood! Love that wine.

Daredevil Kitten Without A Motorcycle

Yesterday when I went out to feed my 'stray' cats, I noticed one of the kittens (Junior, no less) was inside our waterless pool. He obviously jumped up on the ledge and then down to the ground inside. Or maybe he used the ladder which is only on the outside of the pool right next to it. The only thing standing right now is the walls of the pool. We haven't gotten around to putting the liner in this year. But that is a whole 'nother story.
The size of the pool is 18x33 and the walls are very high inside.

As I walked toward the 'pool' the kitten panicked when it saw me and started running around in circles very fast. I kept talking to it in a calm voice as I slowly advanced. Then he would try to run up the side but it was sort of like jumping at the side with his paws, and he could never get high enough to reach the ledge. It kind of reminded me of that motorcycle thrill ride at carnivals where the bikes go around the inside of a huge barrel in a circle.

It was comical to watch and I felt bad for him so I took the food to the feeding box with the intention of helping the little dude get out after I was finished. I thought if I put the pool ladder inside he could climb out that way.

When I went back, he wasn't there. I looked all over including the clump of weeds at the one end. He must have "settled down" with me not there scaring the bejesus out of him and he did what all cats are prone to do: he escaped on his own.

He showed up a little late for breakfast and seemed ok to me.

I guess I was more worried than he was.

Who, Me Apologize?

I recently did something that was not so nice. I'll just say it involved an e-mail to a former co-worker. It was sent in error. Instead of hitting delete, I hit send but I didn't know it at the time. OOPS! It was composed when I was mad as a hornet. I shouldn't have done it the way I did, but I needed to get it out of my system. When I was done, I walked away. When I came back much later, the wrong key was hit.

Anyway, it had to do with my husband's two days of bereavement pay, one on a Friday and one on a Monday. Neither day was included in both checks. Apparently she does not know what code to use to pay for those type days.

He is a truck driver, so it is a nice chunk of pay. I overlooked the first one, but when it happened again the following week, well...let's just say that's when the sh*t hit the fan!

I understand the recipient wasn't too happy to receive the e-mail. She left my husband know about it the next day. He knew nothing about it and I felt I didn't have to mention it because I thought I hit delete!

It wasn't malicious or nasty or anything like that. I just reminded her of the two pay days she owed him and then asked her if she hadn't figured out how to do her damn job yet. (I used to do payroll when I worked there.) She told my husband if I had anything to say to her, I should say it to her face. I think she meant on the phone because I am not allowed on the property due to the fact that I was terminated on their trumped-up beliefs.

So you can judge for yourself and see that it wasn't that bad. However, because I messed up, I felt an apology was in order. So I sent her one using my other e-mail address in case she blocked or blacklisted the original address.

Guess what?

Apparently she has decided not to accept my apology. Too bad. It just shows how petty and ignorant she is. And, no, that does not warrant any apologies.

Where I Wish I Were

Every weekday at 4:00 PM I stop whatever I'm doing and sit down to watch "Little House On The Prairie."

For some reason I hardly watched it way back when it first came on TV. I do remember catching it a few times though. Guess I had other bridges to burn at the time. But now I can't get enough of it. I guess because every show usually has a moral to the story. Any maybe because I am somewhat older and wiser now (don't laugh), I understand it better.

Also, every episode usually makes me cry. Yeah, I know, I'm such a wimpy big baby. But I am good for a least one good "cry" per episode. I try not to, but it just happens.

The thing is, these stories give me such a warm fuzzy feeling. Kinda like I wish I could've lived back then and maybe grown up with Laura Ingalls as a best friend.

But, no, I was born (stuck) in the 20th century with all this newfangled technology, half of which we could probably do without. It was so much more peaceful and quieter back then. There were no landfills, no malls, no air pollution, no smut and I could go on and on about the nasty stuff we have to deal with today.

It would be so nice to go back to times when almost everyone got along and we had fewer choices to make.

Progress. Hmph!

Continued Saga of The Mail Carrier

We finally got our certified letter. It was brought to the door personally by the postmaster. I asked him what the carrier's problem was. He said he has no problem, that he is one of his better carriers. Supposedly very conscientious. I explained to him how I had changed my routine so that I would be available when he rang my doorbell.

The carrier told the postmaster, after being questioned, that he knocked on my door three times and waited before leaving. I find that very hard to believe. We have a ranch house and I was on the computer just down the hall from the front door. I did not go outside, I did not go into the basement, and I did not take my usual shower. I have no idea what door he thought he was knocking on, but it certainly wasn't mine!

Besides, we do have a doorbell. Normal people use them before they even think about knocking. Right? Thought so. I asked why he didn't use the doorbell. He said he will address that with him.

So the postmaster and I had a nice long chat. All is well with me and the postal system. For now...

And what was in the certified letter? Exactly what I thought was in it. You see, 8-1/2 years ago our house was robbed while we were at work. Apparently it happened right after we left~he was watching us. This is a person who was in our house years prior and became a friend, if you will. When we figured out someone had been in the house earlier that day, we called the state police.

This person was eventually arrested (we weren't the only ones he had robbed), there were court hearings, depositions to give, the whole nine yards. A royal pain in the butt. Not a happy time for us. Or him, as he had also robbed a business. All in the name of drugs. He went to jail, sentenced to 19 years.

Did I mention that when he robbed us he was on parole in Maryland? Well, according to the letter he was granted parole, but he must do that in Maryland until May 2016. Yeah, that's gonna happen.

If he ever comes back here, well all I will tell him is "Say hello to my little friend." Yes, I am a registered gun carrier, thanks to him.

Totally Unbelievable

Let me preface this with the fact that I am home all day.

On Tuesday there was a slip in our mailbox telling us there is a certified letter that can be picked up at the local post office and needed a signature to do so.
I did not pick up my mail until 6:00 pm so it was too late to call the post office to inquire about it, and also to let them know it could be redelivered the next day. I thought he may have come to the door while I was in the shower, although I can usually hear the doorbell when I'm in there.

On Wednesday I did call. Yes, they had it there and yes, they can redeliver the next day.

So on Thursday, when they said they could redeliver, I changed my routine. I purposely made myself available to sign for the letter. May I add here that our mailbox is across the street and our mail is delivered via a mailtruck.

I waited until 2:00 pm before checking on the mail. Up until then no one had come to my door with any letter. Out the door, across the yard, around the huge maple tree, wait for traffic, cross the street, open the mailbox.

Why that dirty no-good S.O.B.!

What did I find? Another slip telling me I wasn't home and they could not get my signature to deliver the letter. I am ready to spit nickels at this time.

I couldn't wait to get in the house and make my phone call. And believe me, those are my best calls: when I am good and angry. I spoke to the same person and I asked her if I have to live in my mailbox in order to receive my certified letter.

Of course she was apologetic and I explained I was not yelling at her, that it wasn't her fault, blah blah blah... BUT if the carrier does not come to my door for my signature tomorrow there will be hell to pay.

She could not believe that he hasn't made an attempt to get a signature.
What carrier doesn't know that? And to make matters worse, he even circled that part on the card making me look like I'm the retarded one. Excuse me? I can't wait to see this "government worker" with the brain of a
larva.