Well, I have a new cat. He picked me, I did not go out and actively look for a new cat. He is an orange tabby with a white stripe under each eye. I have decided to name him Oswald.
He has been hanging out in my yard/carport for several weeks, but yesterday was the first time he let me get within 2 feet of him. He seems really sweet and I can tell he wants to let me pet him but he is just to wary right now. My next course of action is to distribute flyers to make sure that he is not owned by someone. I really doubt it but I have to try. We tend to get stray animals out where I live. It is rural enough for people to leave animals out there (that is how we got Bunnie) but Target is right down the road. Once I have determined that he is not owned I will try and trap him so he can be neutered and have shots. I am not a person that likes to leave my animals outside to the elements. However, in the case of my now 2 cats, this is what they want. Well at least I know that is how Flounder likes it. So, I do the best I can to provide shelter for them. In the winter I have beds and fleece cubes etc for them to sleep in and there is access to the laundry room if they want to get in there. I also have a dog house that is full of cedar chips that they like to burrow in. I spend time with them each night, especially Flounder who likes to be pet…well sometimes. I can't wait to see what Oswald's personality is like. So far I know he likes to eat. ALOT!
So, Oswald welcome to the tribe! I love you already! I hope to post pictures soon.
12/18/06
"I am not a cook"!
That’s right. I said it. I am a terrible cook. Well, maybe not TERRIBLE but not incredibly good. Partly, it is because I haven’t had a lot of practice. Even when I was married my ex was always the cook, and he was good. Another part of it is that I don’t have a lot of patience for cooking. All the prep work drives me nuts. The gathering of ingredients, the chopping, the measuring, you get my drift. I would rather throw a sandwich together, garnish with some potato chips and Wala! dinner!
With the holidays approaching, there is always a flurry of cooking activity at my mom and dad’s. My mom is always baking cookies or bread or something. It is tradition that one Sunday in December we all get together at my parent’s house and make pierogi. (About 20 dozen. That is a lot of pierogi.) I am the filler and the crimper. I am good at this. But ask me to mix up the dough or the filling NO WAY! I will mess it up for sure. No question. And then there is Christmas Eve dinner where everyone helps out and brings the side dishes or the dessert. I ALWAYS bring hash brown casserole. It is good and it is the one thing that I can make without fail. But this year, I guess everyone is tired of hash brown casserole because I have been asked to bring the rolls. Yep, the rolls. That is definitely what people ask the bad cook to bring when the bad cook asks “Can I bring something”? So, I am going to buy crescent rolls and try not to burn them. Wish me luck!
With the holidays approaching, there is always a flurry of cooking activity at my mom and dad’s. My mom is always baking cookies or bread or something. It is tradition that one Sunday in December we all get together at my parent’s house and make pierogi. (About 20 dozen. That is a lot of pierogi.) I am the filler and the crimper. I am good at this. But ask me to mix up the dough or the filling NO WAY! I will mess it up for sure. No question. And then there is Christmas Eve dinner where everyone helps out and brings the side dishes or the dessert. I ALWAYS bring hash brown casserole. It is good and it is the one thing that I can make without fail. But this year, I guess everyone is tired of hash brown casserole because I have been asked to bring the rolls. Yep, the rolls. That is definitely what people ask the bad cook to bring when the bad cook asks “Can I bring something”? So, I am going to buy crescent rolls and try not to burn them. Wish me luck!
12/14/06
Christmas Past
Some of my favorite things from Christmas Past
1. When we went to bed on Christmas Eve, we did so in new pajamas!
2. That restless feeling you got when you went to bed knowing that when you woke Santa would have been there!
3. Going through my stocking. That is still my favorite part of Christmas morning.
4. That my mom put the puppy ornament that I made in preschool on the front of the tree. (And she still does! Right next to the Chris Radko’s!)
5. Seeing all the wrapped presents and wondering what was in them.
6. Going to United Fabrics (that was our Hallmark store back then) with my brother and dad to pick out an ornament for my mom. We bought her a tin Santa one year and a teapot with a Squirrel inside another year. She still hangs those too!
7. Decorating our Christmas tree as we watched whatever Christmas special was on the year.
8. Singing for Santa Claus at the Wiglia Celebration at my great-grandma’s house. After we sang loud enough, Santa would come and pass out everyone’s presents. Just fabulous.
9. All the Christmas crafts we used to make in school.
10. I hate to admit it (because I used to complain constantly) but hanging the 20 or more strings of lights on our old Christmas tree. My mom and I would act so goofy. It was fun.
1. When we went to bed on Christmas Eve, we did so in new pajamas!
2. That restless feeling you got when you went to bed knowing that when you woke Santa would have been there!
3. Going through my stocking. That is still my favorite part of Christmas morning.
4. That my mom put the puppy ornament that I made in preschool on the front of the tree. (And she still does! Right next to the Chris Radko’s!)
5. Seeing all the wrapped presents and wondering what was in them.
6. Going to United Fabrics (that was our Hallmark store back then) with my brother and dad to pick out an ornament for my mom. We bought her a tin Santa one year and a teapot with a Squirrel inside another year. She still hangs those too!
7. Decorating our Christmas tree as we watched whatever Christmas special was on the year.
8. Singing for Santa Claus at the Wiglia Celebration at my great-grandma’s house. After we sang loud enough, Santa would come and pass out everyone’s presents. Just fabulous.
9. All the Christmas crafts we used to make in school.
10. I hate to admit it (because I used to complain constantly) but hanging the 20 or more strings of lights on our old Christmas tree. My mom and I would act so goofy. It was fun.
12/13/06
Angel Tree and Volunteering
I have said here before that Christmas is my favorite holiday. Today I started thinking about why. Yes, I love the decorations, the cards, the wrapping paper, the gifts, the carols and the TV specials. But one of my most favorite things is the “Angel Tree”. The Angel Tree is a Christmas tree in the vestibule of my church (We also have one at work for the Salvation Army) that contains paper ornaments with the name and need of a child or adult. You take an “angel” and buy the gift that is listed on the ornament, wrap it and leave it under the tree. The people whose names are on the tree are all needy people from our area and some from our church. This year, I took 4 names all from a nursing home in Wake Forest . Usually all the names are children and I love shopping for them, but this year, something directed me to the Senior Care Center names. Maybe it is because my grandmother is an Alzheimer's Unit in a place much like that one and it makes me think of her. I am really not sure but I was really drawn to them and so I picked 4 names. Once I studied the cards and found out what they wanted, I noticed that they asked for such basic, humble things. I don’t know why but I got all teary.
I have always wanted to help people. I remember when I was younger and my grandmother(the one in the Alzheimer's Unit) would take me downtown Chicago to work with her on the train, we would always see homeless people pan handling. But there was one that I will always remember. She was a blind lady but what drew me in was her dog. She had a guide dog, a German Shepherd I think and I saw her several times over the years. She was always in the same spot in the underground tunnel to the train. My grandma would never give me money to give them when I asked and told me that I was not allowed to give them anything. So, I used to bring change with me and when my grandma was not looking I would put the change in her cup. One time she caught me and she got upset. I started to cry and ran into the bathroom in the train station. She asked me why I was crying and I remember plainly telling her that I felt sad for the lady and her dog and that I did not understand why she was so “mean” and would ont give them anything. She never said anything about it but the next time I went downtown with her she gave me a quarter to give to the lady with the dog. She never explained why she felt that way, I imagine it was because she saw the lady Monday through Friday and was not affected by it anymore. Even now when I see a panhandler on the side of the road or where ever, I have to at least give them a dollar. Whether they really are poor, I don't know but I feel compelled to give them something. Some people would call me a sucker. I call it being soft-hearted!
During this time of year, it is easy to remember those beings (human or animal) who need our help. What I try to do is help those during Christmas but I also try to help through out the year. Whether it is through donating what little extra money that I have, things that I have extras of (blankets, clothes, canned goods etc) or my time, I try to help. I doubt it makes a huge difference in the over all scheme of things, it matters to me. It also reminds me how good I have it even though there are days when it is hard. Since me divorce, I have struggled to make it financially and this really weighs on me sometimes. but then I think about that I have a house to live in, a car to drive, a job to go to and a family that loves me. I think I am about the luckiest person around! So if you can, do something for someone else human or animal. I promise you won't regret it!
I have always wanted to help people. I remember when I was younger and my grandmother(the one in the Alzheimer's Unit) would take me downtown Chicago to work with her on the train, we would always see homeless people pan handling. But there was one that I will always remember. She was a blind lady but what drew me in was her dog. She had a guide dog, a German Shepherd I think and I saw her several times over the years. She was always in the same spot in the underground tunnel to the train. My grandma would never give me money to give them when I asked and told me that I was not allowed to give them anything. So, I used to bring change with me and when my grandma was not looking I would put the change in her cup. One time she caught me and she got upset. I started to cry and ran into the bathroom in the train station. She asked me why I was crying and I remember plainly telling her that I felt sad for the lady and her dog and that I did not understand why she was so “mean” and would ont give them anything. She never said anything about it but the next time I went downtown with her she gave me a quarter to give to the lady with the dog. She never explained why she felt that way, I imagine it was because she saw the lady Monday through Friday and was not affected by it anymore. Even now when I see a panhandler on the side of the road or where ever, I have to at least give them a dollar. Whether they really are poor, I don't know but I feel compelled to give them something. Some people would call me a sucker. I call it being soft-hearted!
During this time of year, it is easy to remember those beings (human or animal) who need our help. What I try to do is help those during Christmas but I also try to help through out the year. Whether it is through donating what little extra money that I have, things that I have extras of (blankets, clothes, canned goods etc) or my time, I try to help. I doubt it makes a huge difference in the over all scheme of things, it matters to me. It also reminds me how good I have it even though there are days when it is hard. Since me divorce, I have struggled to make it financially and this really weighs on me sometimes. but then I think about that I have a house to live in, a car to drive, a job to go to and a family that loves me. I think I am about the luckiest person around! So if you can, do something for someone else human or animal. I promise you won't regret it!
12/10/06
That Girl
This weekend TVLand had a "That Girl" Marathon. I have not seen this show in years. I love this show! I can hear the theme song now: "Diamonds, Daisies, Snowflakes, That Girl Chestnuts, Rainbows, Springtime... Is That Girl She's tinsel on a tree... She's everything that every girl should be! Sable, Popcorn, White Wine, That Girl Gingham, Bluebirds, Broadway... Is That Girl She's mine alone, but luckily for you... If you find a girl to love, Only one girl to love, Then she'll be That Girl too... That Girl!" When we lived in Indiana , I used to watch this show when I was little and got to stay home sick. Even though I was too young to know anything about fashion or being a single woman and living in New York City, I thought this show was fabulous! Ann Marie (Marlo Thomas) was so cute and she had the most beautiful clothes. I have one coat, That Girl had one for every outfit! Her hair was styled in this amazing flip, her makeup was perfect. And she had the greatest boyfriend, Donald Hollinger (Ted Bessel). Cute, smart and so attentive. I still have a bit a of a crush on him. (Sadly he died in 1996.) Staying home from school was considered fun. I would get to lay on the couch, eating peanut butter toast and watching tv. That Girl was my favorite but I also liked Bewitched and Father's Knows Best. Those were great shows.
What shows did you get to watch when you stayed home sick?
12/8/06
Wrapping Gifts
This weekend my main chore is to wrap some Christmas presents so I thought I would share what it is like at my house. I don't have a grand room dedicated to wrapping like Martha Stewart does with all the rolls of wrapping paper hanging on lovely rolls right in front of a huge table that is well stocked with ribbon and pens and tape. So here is what I do:
How I Wrap Presents With Dogs In The Room
1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, tape, etc. in middle of the floor.
2. Get tape back from Otto as it is stuck to his leg.
3. Remove scissors from Chloe's mouth.
4. Open box.
5. Take Bunnie's paws off of box.
6. Remove tape from Otto's mouth.
7. Beg dogs to quit walking all over the roll of wrapping paper.
8. Put present in box.
9. Remove dog hair that floated on to the present somehow.
10. Take Otto's paws out of box and off of present.
11. Take page of name tags from Chloe & sit on them.
12. Remove Bunnie's nose from box & tape it shut.
13. Take tape away from Otto who thinks it is a toy.
14. Unroll wrapping paper from the roll.
15. Take all three dogs OFF wrapping paper.
16. Cut paper off roll -- being careful not to cut Bunnie's nose that is getting in the way as she "helps".
17. Tape all the small holes Otto poked through the paper when he walked across it.
18. Wrap paper around box & secure in place with tape.
19. Take roll of wrapping paper from Chloe who thinks she is supposed to carry it off for me.
20. Beg dogs to stop growling at one another and that the roll of wrapping paper is not something that they need to fight over.
21. Find Scissors under Bunnie who is trying to lay in my lap.
22. Cut excess paper from "ends" so you're left with just enough paper to tuck in neatly.
23. Let Otto eat scrap paper from the ends because you just can't say "Leave It" anymore.
24. Find tape under Bunnie.
25. throw first bit of tape away as it is covered in dog hair.
26. Tuck in paper neatly on the other end and fold shut like an envelope.
27. Fend off Chloe and Bunnie from trying to steal the roll of wrapping paper.
28. Take bow from Otto and throw it away as it is soggy and get another bow.
29. Give dogs empty tube from a roll of wrapping paper to play with.
30. Take pen from underneath Chloe, address tag & affix while Otto sniffs the pen to see if it is a treat.
31. Put present away before any of the 3 dogs drools on it.
32. Clean up mess the dogs made playing tug-of-war with empty roll of wrapping paper.
33. Put away rest of wrapping supplies & tell dogs what good helpers they are.
34. Take a nap!
How I Wrap Presents With Dogs In The Room
1. Gather presents, boxes, paper, tape, etc. in middle of the floor.
2. Get tape back from Otto as it is stuck to his leg.
3. Remove scissors from Chloe's mouth.
4. Open box.
5. Take Bunnie's paws off of box.
6. Remove tape from Otto's mouth.
7. Beg dogs to quit walking all over the roll of wrapping paper.
8. Put present in box.
9. Remove dog hair that floated on to the present somehow.
10. Take Otto's paws out of box and off of present.
11. Take page of name tags from Chloe & sit on them.
12. Remove Bunnie's nose from box & tape it shut.
13. Take tape away from Otto who thinks it is a toy.
14. Unroll wrapping paper from the roll.
15. Take all three dogs OFF wrapping paper.
16. Cut paper off roll -- being careful not to cut Bunnie's nose that is getting in the way as she "helps".
17. Tape all the small holes Otto poked through the paper when he walked across it.
18. Wrap paper around box & secure in place with tape.
19. Take roll of wrapping paper from Chloe who thinks she is supposed to carry it off for me.
20. Beg dogs to stop growling at one another and that the roll of wrapping paper is not something that they need to fight over.
21. Find Scissors under Bunnie who is trying to lay in my lap.
22. Cut excess paper from "ends" so you're left with just enough paper to tuck in neatly.
23. Let Otto eat scrap paper from the ends because you just can't say "Leave It" anymore.
24. Find tape under Bunnie.
25. throw first bit of tape away as it is covered in dog hair.
26. Tuck in paper neatly on the other end and fold shut like an envelope.
27. Fend off Chloe and Bunnie from trying to steal the roll of wrapping paper.
28. Take bow from Otto and throw it away as it is soggy and get another bow.
29. Give dogs empty tube from a roll of wrapping paper to play with.
30. Take pen from underneath Chloe, address tag & affix while Otto sniffs the pen to see if it is a treat.
31. Put present away before any of the 3 dogs drools on it.
32. Clean up mess the dogs made playing tug-of-war with empty roll of wrapping paper.
33. Put away rest of wrapping supplies & tell dogs what good helpers they are.
34. Take a nap!
12/4/06
A Chirstmas Quiz
I "borrowed" this from my sister-in law’s sister’s blog because I thought it would be fun!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? No question, Hot Chocolate. I think Egg Nog sounds icky.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Well when Santa came to visit me he always wrapped all the presents. When Santa comes to see Chloe, Bunnie and Otto he wraps theirs too!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored lights on the tree and outside! White lights are too plain for me! Plus, on the tree I like how it makes the ornaments look.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. I am always afraid it will fall and the dogs will eat it. Plus, who would I kiss? the dogs get enough kisses without mistletoe!
5. When do you put your decorations up? The weekend after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Cheese Periogi that we make!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going to my Great Grandma’s house for Wiglia (the Polish Christmas Eve Celebration). We would get to play with our cousins and sing for Santa….
8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I still believe in Santa Claus! In fact I am reading his Autobiography by Jeff Guinn right now. A great book.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We open our “family gifts” on Christmas and Santa gifts and stockings on Christmas Day. Yes, I am 36 and Santa still brings me a stocking!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I pile all my favorite ornaments on the tree until there is no more room!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love it but only if I don’t have to drive in it!
12. Can you ice skate? Well, sort of. I am not great but I can stay up for a bit!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, I have 2, my doll house and a box of rings. You know the bubble gum machine kind of rings. There were about 12 of them and I still remember how excited I was. My friend Missy Wilson and I played with those rings FOREVER!
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Seriously, spending time with my family. Frivolously (Is that even a word?), shopping for presents and wrapping paper.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My sister-in-law makes these chocolate cookies with powder sugar on them. I love those. I am not a huge dessert fan but I love cookies.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Our Wiglia celebration.
17. What tops your tree? I don’t have one . I need to get one at the after Christmas sale!
18. Which do you prefer? -- Giving or Receiving? Well I think both. I love finding what I think is the perfect present for someone and I also love opening presents to see what someone thought was perfect for me!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? See previous Blog!
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Well yum. but I have to be in the mood. Now Candy Cane Bark I love!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? No question, Hot Chocolate. I think Egg Nog sounds icky.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Well when Santa came to visit me he always wrapped all the presents. When Santa comes to see Chloe, Bunnie and Otto he wraps theirs too!
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored lights on the tree and outside! White lights are too plain for me! Plus, on the tree I like how it makes the ornaments look.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No. I am always afraid it will fall and the dogs will eat it. Plus, who would I kiss? the dogs get enough kisses without mistletoe!
5. When do you put your decorations up? The weekend after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Cheese Periogi that we make!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Going to my Great Grandma’s house for Wiglia (the Polish Christmas Eve Celebration). We would get to play with our cousins and sing for Santa….
8.When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I still believe in Santa Claus! In fact I am reading his Autobiography by Jeff Guinn right now. A great book.
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We open our “family gifts” on Christmas and Santa gifts and stockings on Christmas Day. Yes, I am 36 and Santa still brings me a stocking!
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? I pile all my favorite ornaments on the tree until there is no more room!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love it but only if I don’t have to drive in it!
12. Can you ice skate? Well, sort of. I am not great but I can stay up for a bit!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Yes, I have 2, my doll house and a box of rings. You know the bubble gum machine kind of rings. There were about 12 of them and I still remember how excited I was. My friend Missy Wilson and I played with those rings FOREVER!
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Seriously, spending time with my family. Frivolously (Is that even a word?), shopping for presents and wrapping paper.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? My sister-in-law makes these chocolate cookies with powder sugar on them. I love those. I am not a huge dessert fan but I love cookies.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Our Wiglia celebration.
17. What tops your tree? I don’t have one . I need to get one at the after Christmas sale!
18. Which do you prefer? -- Giving or Receiving? Well I think both. I love finding what I think is the perfect present for someone and I also love opening presents to see what someone thought was perfect for me!
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? See previous Blog!
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Well yum. but I have to be in the mood. Now Candy Cane Bark I love!
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