All Good Things must End

And, so I hope, do all bad things.  2010 has not been the best of years by any stretch of the imagination, for us...It started off with a death in the family, and went downhill from there.  There have been some high points, but all in all, I am praying that 2011 starts off better, and continues uphill through the end of the year.

May your New Years Eve be a safe one, and New Years Day bring joy and friendship to you.
I know I'm a day early, but if you know me for very long, you'll find that there is only one thing I put off until the last minute...TAXES!

Merry Christmas

Happy Birthday Jesus!

And now, what gift did you get today.

Was it a new dress, new shoes,

a new car?

Breakfast in Bed?

Just what gift did you receive to celebrate

Jesus' Birthday?

What did I get, you ask.

I got the gift of Eternal Life,

that is the gift I got for Jesus' Birthday.

Do you have that gift, yet?

So....

...............
What's on tap for Christmas Dinner at your house?
Will it be traditional? Regional?  or just plain outlandish?
Several years ago, we made the decision that everyone was sick and tired of ham, turkey,
dressing, pecan pie, pumpkin pie, orange slice cake,  and green bean casserole, after about 3 different meals of it at different relatives homes. 
We decided to start our own tradition and it will continue this year, unless someone else decides differently.  If we have dinner at my house, I fix the main dish, it is my choice, and everyone else supplies the desserts and veggies. It may be mexican chicken,  spaghetti and meat sauce, fried catfish with all the trimmings, chicken fried steaks, or chicken enchilidas, whatever suits our fancy at the time we get the menu together. We've discussed the menu, and I think this year we will be having mini pigs in a blanket, chip and dip, cheese balls, veggies and dip, and whatever what is brought for dessert.  We'll be doing our get together on Christmas evening, with all the kids.  This gives everyone a chance to be home and enjoy their gifts on Christmas morning, without having to rush off to somewhere else, or start cooking right after breakfast.  So, if you are coming to my house for Christmas, and you don't like any of the above menu, call ahead, and I'll stick a couple of Banquet Turkey and Dressing TV dinners in the microwave for your dining pleasure.

AnonyaMouse ;-}

So who is excited about Christmas..

I laughed today, as grandson started shaking his present, and keeps asking if I am sure I actually put the gift inside...He shook his cousin's present, then his again, then cousins, then his.  He keeps telling us that cousin's present makes a noise, and his doesn't, they are the same size, so why doesn't his make a noise.
Four more days, and he will find out what is in that box, and I hope he enjoys it as much as I've enjoyed him shaking and shaking and wondering, and even offering to open it to see if there is actually anything inside.  'But, we can rewrap it, once I'm sure...'
AnonyaMouse

Christmas Gags

This afternoon, I had a message from my daughter in law, asking about Christmas Gift plans.  Several years ago, we all made the decision to purchase only for the 'kids' in the family, since none of us enjoyed shopping that much, and none of us have an unlimited supply of money.  She left a message asking if that was still the plan.  I called her, and when she answered, I told her no, the plan had changed, that this year, everyone was supposed to buy 'hubby and me' the gifts, instead of the kids.  We had a great laugh about it. 

The only thing I miss about giving each other gifts, is the unique way we had of of playing tricks on each other.  There is the year that we opened and washed a Campbells soup can, without damaging the label, and put a gift card in it, weighted the can,and glued the bottom back on.  When daughter in law unwrapped the package, she sat there with the strangest look on her face, but was afraid to say anything, I'm sure she thought she'd gotten the gag gift of the year.  We finally quit laughing, and told her open the can by popping the top.  After we showed her the glued on bottom, I'm sure she used the same gag on someone else.

About 12 years ago, at an auction, I ended up with with a 'velvet painting' in some other things I bought.

My son in law commented that 'it may be valuable', of course he was joking, but I went along with it, and laughed.  But there was a seed planted in my mind, so on Christmas, I got a beautiful roll of wrapping paper, and some heavy cardboard.  I wrapped that terrible picture up really really well, lots of tape, and with beautiful ribbon bows.I'd never pulled that kind of gag on him before, so son in law started ripping paper to get to the 'good stuff'. You should have seen his face, when he realized the gag I'd pulled on him, in front of the whole family.

Since that time, you never know when that picture is going to show up again.  We used it, with a nice gift card to Lowes, attached to the back, when youngest daughter purchased her house.  I received it last, for Mother's Day a year or so ago, but grandson almost let the cat out of the bag, when he said something about a picture.  It is hanging in my back room right now, waiting for the day when everyone has forgotten about it, so it can be brought out again, for other's viewing pleasure. 

Several people who know this story, always ask who got the picture this year.
So, do you have any special traditions in your family?

I tried, I really did

I've had trouble posting on here, the last couple of times that I've tried.
I'd get it all written out, then it will tell me I need to sign in, even though I'm supposed to be signed in to start posting.  By the time I get signed in, the post has gone to blogger hades, never to be seen again.
One was even a funny post, and I could hear you chuckling as I typed it, figuring it would be entertaining to you.  Well, when it disappeared, I didn't think it was too funny.

Idiot soon to be x sil is disappearing this weekend, and yes, it is his weekend....he's even leaving a day early, so I'll be taking gs to school tomorrow. And now word has drifted down that he's 'seeing' one of daughter's friends, or used to be friends.  Guess the one that got a divorce, that spurred this divorce, figured out he didn't have as much money, since daughter's paycheck wasn't paying for everything.  .

BTW, has anyone mentioned to you that Christmas will be here in just over 7 days....?  I guess that means that I'd better get out and find a couple of gifts..I've not purchased anything except some oils and butters...
May your soap float and your perfume be smelly.

Cold Colder Coldest...

Well folks, it seems that the weather is terrible even in the usually glorious south. 

My friends in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and even Georgia are all crying foul over the heavy snow and just plain cold.  Now one friend in South Louisiana invited us all down to her house, where it is in the mid 50s today.

My location has been 34 degrees for a high today and the wind chill kept it in the 20s. 

So what do you do if it is too cold to be outside?

We at lunch at our 'favorite spot' with the others who rather pay than do the cooking.

Then we stopped at the grocery store, got some peanuts to roast, and

came home, put a cake in the oven, and peanuts went in a short time later.

Now I'm waiting  for the chicken and mushroom soup to get done.

There is wood on the porch for the fire, and there is plenty of food.

Saturday, rain and deep thoughts

Or maybe they aren't so deep after all.

I mentioned a few days ago how sometimes Sisters at Heart were closer than
birth sisters. 

I have 2 birth sisters,
#1 has been a manipulator, thief, user, and drug addict for the past 35+ years.  A licensed nurse who has been caught stealing patients medications on more than one occasion. Yes, there is proof, I've read the letters from the state board of nursing when they pulled her license. She got mad because I wouldn't let her buy me groceries with her food stamps, and me give her cash. She hasn't spoken to me since. this incident.
 At the time she was living with a couple who wish not to be named, and she was paying them nothing. 
She came up behind me and aimed her car at me  in a grocery store parking lot, about 5 months ago, and missed me by inches, all the while cackling like the witch on Wizard of Oz.

I used to wish for a sibling, now I'd give anything to take that wish back.

#2 I'll talk about that, in awhile.

Whats for dinner?

Do you have Popeyes Louisiana Cajun Restaurants

in your area?  We had a little trip that we had to make today

and on the way home, we stopped to eat since hubby didn't want beef stew again, today.

So we stopped at Popeyes in a town near here. After looking at the menu, we orderd Crawfish and fries..

Have you ever had Crawfish? 

It is pretty darned good, but hubby thought it was a little spicy for his liking.

So what did you have for dinner tonight?

When was the last time you tried a new dish?

Or a new restaurant?

We've eaten at Popeyes before, but we had chicken the last time we were there, it's good, too.

I tend to like mexican, but lately, It isn't what I've been wanting, and I like chinese, but, that wasn't what I wanted tonight.

Maybe next week.

What is your favorite song?

What type music do you like?
What song, when you hear it, makes you just want to stop and listen?

I like almost every kind of music, and there is even some Rap that
is not too bad.  It isn't something I listen to often, and usually not by choice.
Some of the best Rap that I ever heard, was from some kids waiting for the bus
at one of the local schools. 

But, let's face it this old girl prefers Country, but not all country...
I like a catchy tune as much as anyone, and George Jones can sing
"He Stopped Lovin her Today" to me just any time or any place.
I also like Gospel, and our Minister can bring down the house with his
voice.  He doesn't have to preach, just give him a good song, and we'll stay
until he gets tired.  I love the old songs, Amazing Grace, Old Rugged Cross,
In the Garden.
So now, tell me what you like.

Birthdays Birthdays Birthdays

Starting with Daughter in Law, we have birthdays on the 3rd, hubby's sister is on the 5th, and hubby's birthday is the 6th of December.  That is a lot of cake.
 
Then my twin's birthday is on December 12th, you see, I am the older twin, I was born about 22 days before she was.  I'll bet each of our parents would be a bit confused over this twin thing, since our birth certificates say nothing about multiple births.  But I learned long ago, that being siblings doesn't make you close, and being sisters at heart, doesn't require 'common' parents, or even living in the same area. I'm actually closer to my sisters at heart, than I am my actual siblings. I guess some may wonder why I can feel this way, but that is a story for another day.  Today, we're celebrating birthdays, those already past, and those yet to come.  And  on December 25th, we will celebrate the most important birthday of all, the birth of Jesus Christ, So, how many  Birthday Cards will you be mailing out to celebrate Christ's birth, this year?  It really isn't about the gifts we recieve, or give, at this time of year, the only gift we can give Jesus, is loving and treating each other well.

Trying again, to post that photo

I really don't know what the issue is with

my posting photos here.

I've been posting them on another blog for years.

Anyway, I'm going to try and post that same photo again.

Same information, this photo was taken between 1848-1851.

The apparatus that is behind his head, is to hold the

person steady, while the photo was taken, as it took

quite awhile to actually take the photo. These were used until about 1850 in

large cities, but I suspect that it could have been in use later than that

in the 'boonies', where he lived.

This person is my great great grandfather, handsome dude isn't he?

He had brown hair, and blue gray eyes, and was about 6 ft tall, according to the wanted posters.

Diana, this is the photo I'd have liked to have had on the front of that book.

I'd love to have spent just a day with him and my great great grandmother.

He died December 1867.

Idiot Proof, NOT

OK, trying again, to post a photo.

As you can tell, if this picture posts, it isn't of this century, or even last century.

In fact, this one was taken around

1848-1851

And I finally found the right button, which should allow me to post a picture, again.

I'm not tellin what the problem was

let's just say that

A Mouse hit the wrong button, and it stuck

Anonya Mouse

Four letter weather word

For those of you from the 'frozen north' I'm sure this weather in the southern part of the country would probably bring out the shorts and tees. For us below the Mason Dixon Line, anything below 50 makes our blood as thin as water, and we start shivering in our heavy winter clothing.
Yes, the temp outside is 50, but it is dropping tonight and by sometime Sunday night the weather forcasters are saying 4 letter words for some areas in the region.
Go to the grocery store on a day that 4 letter word is mentioned, and you'll find people grabbing things off the shelf, as if they may get '4 letter word then add ed' in for weeks. I only remember 3 times that we got '4 l w, add ed inserted here' for more 2 days, and actually one of those was a 3 letter word, starting with I and ending with CE. It even forced Santa to delay things for a day or two when items were on lay-away, back when they actually had lay-away at stores.

Wondering why I don't have the option to insert photos on this blog, again

Have you ever gotten into something?

And no matter how hard you try, you can't get out of it?
A few months ago, a group I am in, decided to do a Recipe book exchange, I didn't sign up, but I mailed the one in charge a book I had to give away in a drawing, and she won it. Well, my name got on the list, accidentally.
for the past 3 months, I've continued to explain 'don't send me any more cook books'.. I ship the ones that arrive, off to whoever they tell me to send them to, think I'm in the clear, and then another package arrives....
I recieved 3 today...I've yet to cook a recipe from one of the books, so this is getting a little expensive. For what I've spent on shipping, I could have gone out to eat.
Not complainin, just sayin
AnonyaMouse

Christmas Cards and Roller Skates....

Have you seen the HP commercial for their printer?  Yes, the one with the baby in the walker passing everything on the highway! 
I love that song, I hate to admit I remember when it was played on the radio, but I do...
Now to do my Christmas cards while I sing this.



I rode my bicycle past your window last night
I roller skated to your door at daylight
It almost seems that you're avoiding me
I'm ok alone but you've got something I need

Well, I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together
And try them out ya see
I've been lookin' around a while
You got somethin' for me
Oh, I gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

I ride my bike, I roller skate, don't drive no car
Don't go too fast, but I go pretty far
For somebody who don't drive I've been all around the world
Some people say I've done all right for a girl
Oh yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah-yeah

I asked your mother if you were at home
She said yes, but you weren't alone
Oh sometimes I think that your avoiding me
I'm ok alone but you got something I need well

I've gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key
I think that we should get together
And try them out ya see
La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Oh, I gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Oh, I gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Oh, I gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key

La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la, la, la
Oh, I gotta brand new pair of roller skates
You got a brand new key......

Where is the line to see Jesus...

You'll have to view this as kind of like NanaDiana's Magazine Mockery, I didn't write it, I just copied it, just as she didn't take the pictures she writes about..  I'd love to hear the song, though.  I haven't clicked on the link, since I'm at the end of the earth, internet wise.

While at the mall a couple of years ago, my then four year old nephew, Spencer, saw kids lined up to see Santa Claus. Having been taught as a toddler that Christmas is the holiday that Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus, he asked his mom, "where's the line to see Jesus"? My sister mentioned this to my dad, who immediately became inspired and jotted words down to a song in just a few minutes. After putting music to the words, and doing a quick recording at home, he received a great response from friends. He sent the song off to Nashville without much response, except for a Christian song writer who suggested adding a bridge at the end of the first chorus. My dad then asked if I wanted to record the song to see what we could do with it. I listened to the song, made a few changes to the words to make it flow better, and we headed to Shock City Studios. It was at the studio where Chris, owner and producer, rewrote the 2nd verse and part of the chorus... with goosebumps and emotions high, we were all hopeful and felt like we had something special. The demo was recorded in just under 2 hours and sent off again to Nashville ... still no response. Then 2 weeks before Christmas last year, my cousins Greg and Robbie decided to do a video to see what we could accomplish on YouTube. The first day we had 3000 hits and it soared from there. We received e-mails, phone calls, Facebook messages from people all over asking for the music, CD's, iTunes, anything... we had nothin'. After a couple of meetings with Chris following the amazing response, we got serious. We headed back into the studio this past spring... this time with guitars, drums, bass, pianos, choirs... the real deal.... and here we are today. Getting iTunes set up, a website put together, and loving that thousands upon thousands of Christians have come together... remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Out of the mouths of babes come profound truths that many adults can not understand. Hopefully Spencer's observation will cause people all over to reflect on the love of Jesus, and that one day we will all stand in line to see Him. We are most thankful to our Heavenly Father to have this chance to share our music with you.  Merry Christmas everyone.

I looked up the lyrics: 

 

Where's The Line To See Jesus?

Christmas time was approaching, the snow is starting to fall,
Shoppers choosing their presents, people filling the mall,
Children waiting for Santa with excitement and glee.
A little boy tugged my sweater, looked up and asked me,

Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, why don't we see Him more?
Where's the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents, but Christ gave His life for me.

As I stood in amazement at this message profound,
I looked down to thank him, he was no where around.
The little boy at the mall might as well have had wings
As the tears filled my eyes, I thought I heard him say,

Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, why don't we see Him more?
Where's the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents, but Christ gave His life for me.

In the blink of an eye, at the sound of His trump,
We'll all stand in line at His throne.
Every knee shall bow down, every tongue will confess,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.

Where's the line to see Jesus? Is He here at the store?
If Christmas time is His birthday, why don't we see Him more?
Where's the line to see Jesus? He was born for me.
Santa Claus brought me presents, but Christ gave His life for me

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=pPViKJRHyZo&vq=medium