I Would Like To Share A Recipe

I just cut a slice of this yummy bread to have in the place of toast this morning.  And I thought I'd like to share the recipe with all of you.

HOLIDAY CRANBERRY QUICK BREAD

Mix together; 4 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, dash of salt, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 cup shortening.  (Mixture will resemble course crumbs.)  In a seperate bowl beat 2 eggs then add 1 3/4 cup orange juice, 2 tablespoons orange peel (you can get it dried).  Mix well and add to dry ingredients.  Then add 2 cups chopped cranberries and 1 cup chopped walnuts.  Spoon into greased loaf pans and bake at 350 degrees for approx 55 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 mins on wire rack...then remove from pans and continue cooling.  This bread can be frozen for eating later by wrapping tightly with plastic wrap and then foil.  To thaw remove wrap and let bread stand at room temp for about 2 hours.

This is a standard bread in our family during the holidays.  But really it would be good at anytime. As long as you can find the cranberries.   I've never tried it with dried cranberries but I imagine that would work too. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I was going to wait until later to post my Happy New Year greeting but then I remembered my dear journal friends in the UK.  It's getting close to dinner time over there so if I were to wait too long.......well it would be January 1st for them. So here goes;

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!          

May you have a blessed new year, with good health, happiness, new beginnings and may all your dreams come true.   Linda

    

 

The New Printer is Installed & Working

Well, it only took a couple hours but the new printer is installed and working.  What caused my panic about this whole thing was that last Saturday evening when I did my Avon order on line...I was processing a request for some items I need to return.  The packing slip and the Return label would not print.  That's when I first realized I was in trouble as far as my old printer was concerned.  After requesting the credit to my account I only have 10 days to get the items mailed back to Avon...so needless to say that's why I was out the first thing yesterday morning buying that new printer.  I now have successfully printed out the return label and the packing slip so I'm a happy old Avon lady.  

Now I must get busy and straighten up this house. There are dishes to do, Christmas gift to put away and then I need to run the vacuum cleaner. 

It's a little cooler here today, in the middle 40's but sunny.  There's lots of snow on the mountain passes and I understand the roads up there have been a mess off and on today.  Glad I'm here at home and not needing to cross the mountain. I now some of my journal friends in the U.K. are getting snowed on today.  Stay safe and warm over there, dear ones.

Is everyone recovered from the holiday weekend?  I think I almost am....and if not.... I better get it together for it's back to work tomorrow.    Until next time, Linda

 

Now It's Really Over !!

Dinner tonight went very well.  There were 10 adults, my two teenage grand kids  and my two little great nieces.  We had ham, turkey breast, fruit salad, scalloped potatoes, green bean casserole, and then pumpkin pie, apple pie and pecan pie. Yum, yum.  I took a few pictures but the picture of my daughter Julie and her family didn't come out. I feel bad about that.  So there's a picture of my brother Steve, my sister in law, Joan and their middle daughter, Jill with her hubby, Lance and their two little girls, Lindsey and Ella.   And one of my son Jim and his girl friend Carrie.  When you're busy cooking it's hard to get pictures taken.  Jim and Carrie helped Bob and I clean up (my brother and wife had a wedding to go to tonight also) and load all the stuff in my car and then followed Bob and I to my house and helped us bring it all into my house.  That made a huge difference...two extra pairs of legs and hands to pack all the stuff out of the car.  Then my poor son had to leave and go to work.  He's still on that icky night shift for at least another week.

My new printer is sitting here in it's box.  Tomorrow I'll get it installed.  My son in law doesn't have a scanner so I told him that he could have my old scanner.  He's happy and so are the grandkids.  They'll be scanning everything in the house.   Ally said this printer sounded like hers.  It's actually a HP PSC 1610v.

Anyway, that's all for today.  This old lady is tired, tired, tired. Until another day....Linda

 

Ya Hoo A New Printer !!

I called all over town this morning and found the best deal for what I was looking for at Wal Mart (good old Wal Mart)  I usually buy electronic things at Sears becuase of their fantastic warranty but they had nothing on sale and very little to choose from.  Anyway I got a Hewlitt  Packard printer/scanner/copier combination for $128.00.  It's got the little dealie bobber in the front where I can put my memory card in and print out pictures. Or I can hook up my camera with the cable thingy, too. (Sandra see how technical I am)  I'm so glad I have Tuesday off too, because since I'm doing the family Christmas dinner this afternoon, I won't be able to hook it up today.  The box says you can print video clips too..how can you print a video clip ?  That's like a mini movie isn't it?  You can't print something that's moving or can you ?  We'll see about that one.

Well, I guess I'd better start thinking about seeing how long this turkey breast is going to take to cook and get stuff loaded in the car so I can head out to the club house to cook and get ready for our dinner later today.  If anyone would like to join us, feel free to come..dinner is about 5pm today.  See ya when ya get here....Linda

Sunday Evening

I went to church with my son today.  They rent space from a local theater, so when you go there to church, you have the smell of popcorn when you walk in the building.  Anyway, it was a great service. And it was good to see all his friends again.

After church, my son came here for awhile and then left to go be with his girl friend and her family this afternoon.  I spent the afternoon getting things together for tomorrows' Christmas dinner with my family.  We have it at the clubhouse here where I  live, because it's difficult for my daughter to get into my place in her wheel chair.  And by having it in the clubhouse, we can have more people.  I just need to gather everything together to take up there.  There is a full kitchen so I do all my cooking right there.  In a way it's a lot of work but also it saves me the mess at my place.  I use the red Solo plastic plates and just throw them away.  All I have to wash is the silverware, serving dishes and the pans I use for cooking. And that's done up there and then I pack everything up and bring it back home and put it away.

Tonight Bob came by and we went up the street to the movie house and saw "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe."  The special effects of this movie are truly remarkable.   It was very good and I recommend it to all. I ate too much popcorn, however...ugh !!

We got a call from his California grandkids.  They liked their embroidered fleece throws too.  I guess I did good. 

Well, Monday is Boxing Day in Canada and the U.K.  And the beginning of Kwanzaa here in the US. And it's another big shopping day, probably everywhere.  Christmas cards & wrap 50% off, etc.

I have to call around and find a printer.  I understand they have printers now that you can either plug your digital camera into or put your memory card in and print out pictures that way.   I think that's what I'm going to be looking for.  There are several in the sales papers that came out today from $80 to $100.  So hopefully I won't have to spend too much. 

I trust everyone had a happy Cristmas and a good sleep tonight, now that Santa has come and gone.  

Until next time.....Linda

Oh my gosh, I just realized it's only 10 more days until my birthday. Another year older, oh no !!

It's warm and windy here this morning.  Woke up to the sound of my many wind chimes hanging around the perimeter of my porch.  The weather channel says it blowing 15-20 miles per hour and is 55 degrees at Seattle-Tacoma Intl airport.  I see bits of tree branches all over the street out in the front of my house.  I get concerned about the very tall cedar tree in my front yard but 15-20 mph isn't going to blow it over.  In a moment, I need to start getting ready for church but I just wanted to say to all of you.........Merry Christmas !!

Christmas Eve

We had a wonderful time at Bob's daughter & son-in-law's place.  Lots of good food, Bob's little 18 month old grandson was as cute as ever.  The kids loved their blankets and we had our own built in Santa.  They had invited a couple from their neighborhood and he came dressed as Santa, on their golf cart no less.  We were having a grand time  when all of a sudden...bam...the lights went out.  Apparently, a transformer in the area blew.  It was weird because you could see the beautiful outdoor lights all around but the houses on this one power grid were dark.  The power company came out and said it may be hours before it could be fixed, so we all set around like pioneers in the candle light, talking  and then everyone slowly drifted on home.  I need to get to bed so Santa will stop at my house...Linda

Happy Christmas Eve Day #2

What crazy weather.  I had to go put a lighter blouse on.  I turned the furnace way down and it's still warm in here, of course I'm baking, too so that heats the place up.

By the way, a postscript on my printer issue.  I bought new ink cartridges for this one on December 16th. Can you believe it? I just spent 30 minutes looking thru the recycle barrel for the receipt so I could take them back....no luck.  I must have shredded it or put it in the wood stove.  So I guess, I'll see if I can sell them on eBay.  I've checked and the printers available in the stores don't use this size cartridge. Apparently the manufacturers change the size every year or so...aren't they slick?

Well, it's back to my cookie baking....Linda

Happy Christmas Eve Day

Just a quick entry and then I need to get the oven cranked up and get some cookies baked. 

The weather guy said it was 57 degrees at Seattle-Tacoma Airport this morning.  I guess a "white Christmas" is out of the question.  This warm weather may wake up my daffodils earlier than they should be awake.  That's not good.  And it's also starting to ruin ski season again for the skiers.   The snow level is at 8,000 feet and the one area that most of them go to, is at 3,500 feet. 

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve, I'm going with my friend Bob to one of his daughter & son in laws house for their big get together.  Two of those embroidered blankets got sent to his grandkids in California and the other four will be delivered today.  Bob is also going to get the combination DVD & VHS player his kid's bought him.  They had it sent to my house and I wrapped it and it's hidden in the back of my car.  I'll have to make sure we take my car today and then they can give it to him tonight.  He's going to have a fit because he's not much for "new fangled" gadgets.  But, I promised his daughters I wouldn't let him take it back. 

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve .......until next time  Linda

Oh, I forgot to mention that my printer died last night.  I'm hoping that I can replace it with one at an after Christmas sale either Monday or Tuesday, when I'm off work.  Even though I hate to spend the money for a new one, it couldn't have happened at a better time (perhaps).

Soggy Friday Morning

It's supposed to rain all day, but the weather guy says it could get up to 54 degrees by this afternoon.  Did we skip right from the middle of December to April?  I'm off work today but not free of work.  I must catch up with a girl friend to exchange gifts (I think we are going to sneak lunch in while we are at it) and I have to go grocery shopping.  YIKES !!  That could be interesting.  Oh well, it must be done so I'll just relax (I could take my book and read while I wait in the check out line) and enjoy my day.  Thank you to those you have sent the beautiful Christmas cards.  They are all so pretty. It's been especially fun to get the cards from my dear AOL Journal friends this year. Have a good day, until later .....Linda   

 

Thursday Morning

Before I get ready to go off to work on the "modified holiday" schedule (12 noon-5:30pm Monday-Thursday this week) I wanted to share the following that I got from my long time friend, Lynnette, this morning. 

The weather has changed here in the Northwest...it's been in the middle 40's and raining off and on.  I certainly prefer that to 18 degrees or 32 degrees and raining which equals snow. OK, here goes;

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island.  He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.  Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.

One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky.  The worst had happened, and everything was lost.  He was stunned with disbelief, grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.

Early the next day he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island.  It had come to rescue him.  "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.  "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain, and suffering.  Remember that, the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground.  It just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels like their hut is on fire today.

"Before The Next Tear Drop Falls"

I survived the cold temperatures today and now am now taking a break from a bunch of last minute things I needed to do this afternoon.  Like wrapping those blankets I got embroidered a couple weeks ago.

Church was wonderful today...there was a Christmas program by the "choir"...a group of 32 people who assemble together for Christmas and Easter usually.  The church is rather small and there is no regular choir other Sunday's, just different groups who supply the special music.  Anyway, they sounded like angels today.

I've got a cup of tea I'm working on and a pot of vegetable soup is simmering on the stove.

Last night I went with my friend Bob and his brother & sister-in-law to see Freddy Fender.  It was an interesting experience to say the least.  He and his group appeared at one of the local casino's.  We went for their seafood buffet prior to the concert. Yummy, salmon, clams, prawns, crab legs, etc, etc. Everything was so good.  The casino was very smokey however and all of my clothes had to go into the wash when I got home. And that was just walking thru to get to the dinning area and then the concert hall.

Anyway, dear old Freddy is still singing...he's 68 years old, which isn't old but he's not in the best of health.  Apparently he's had to have a kidney transplant and has other health issues. He sang some of his best known songs including "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" and "Before the Last Teardrop Falls."  The group of musicians with him were fantastic !!!   One, Charlie Rich Jr sang several of his late father's songs including "Behind Closed Doors."   All in all, it was an enjoyable evening and I think I'll get myself a Freddy Fender CD just to have for my own music collection. 

Until next time.......Linda

It's what ???????

They just told us that it's 14 degrees in my area...well my big thermometer outside says 18 degrees.  Now they are talking about freezing rain tonight, sounds like big fun to me. At least for the next two weeks I'm on a modified schedule at work.  This next week I work 12 noon to 5:30pm Monday thru Thursday only.  So I won't have that early morning commute tomorrow morning to deal with.  My son has been working 3pm to 3am and has a 25 mile commute, so I feel bad for him and the others out there on the biways and highways. Have a lovely Sunday, I must get ready for church.....Linda

Santa's Prayer

Thanks to my former co-worker Yvonne for sending this to me.  The picture was included in the email.

~Santa's Prayer On Christmas Eve~
~By: Warren D. Jennings~

The sleigh was all packed, the reindeer were fed, But Santa still knelt by the side of the bed.

"Dear Father," he prayed "Be with me tonight. There's much work to do and my schedule is tight.

I must jump in my sleigh and streak through the sky, Knowing full well that a reindeer can't fly.

I will visit each household before the first light, I'll cover the world and all in one night.

With sleigh bells a-ringing, I'll land on each roof, Amid the soft clatter of each little hoof.

To get in the house is the difficult part,
So I'll slide down the chimney of each child's heart.

My sack will hold toys to grant all their wishes. The supply will be endless like the loaves and the fishes.

I will fill all the stockings and not leave a track. I'll eat every cookie that is left for my snack.

I can do all these things Lord, only through You, I just need your blessing, then it's easy to do.

All this is to honor the birth of the One,
That was sent to redeem us, Your most Holy Son.

So to all of my friends, least Your glory I rob, Please Lord, remind them who gave me this job."

Remember...
   Jesus is the reason for the season!!!

              Happy Holidays!!!

Brrrrrrrrrrrr I hate this weather !

It's 22 degrees on my outside thermometer this morning.  I want to move to Arizona....my old bones can't take this.  This mobile is so drafty and cold and I may have mentioned before there's no heat register in my bathroom where I shower.  The other bathroom has a register and it's nice and toasty in there but no shower.  Even with a fire in the wood stove last night, it seems like the furnace ran almost non-stop last night.  I keep the thermostat at 60 degrees when it's like this and I don't think that's unreasonable.  I may need to leave the country when my next electric bill arrives.   Well, I guess I better get brave and go to the shower....and then it's off to work.    Have a wonderful Thursday.........Linda

Easy Like A Sunday Morning #30 Answered on Monday

Easy -- like Sunday morning! FROM:

http://journals.aol.com/delela1/BlueSkiesandGentleBreezes/entries/1279

Winter can bring on some extreme weather in many regions around the world. Here in Idaho it is 20 degrees outside and an icy blanket of frost blankets the frozen ground. Looking out my window at this frosty landscape got me thinking.

Tell me...

What is the most extreme place you have ever visited?

Can I mention two places ?  Please ?!?  OK, Thanks..

1..Ridgecrest, California, out on the Mojave desert in June 2003.  Came thru there to visit my grandfather's grave and it was 115 degrees on the thermometer hanging inside the porch of the cemetery office.   That night it dropped to 40 degrees...that's what happens in the desert.

2..Somewhere on the Amtrak lines in the middle of Montana in February 1980...the train stopped at a station and the big thermometer hanging in the station said 25 below zero.  I started out of the train to take a picture of it and the train man said "lady, you better get a coat on."  I didn't ...just got out to take the picture and almost froze to death right on the spot. 

Those are two real opposites of extreme temperature that I've experienced.    Linda

Monday Morning Question

Here's the Monday morning question (I'm temporarily doing it for Krissy over at Sometimes I Think) while she prepares for John's bone marrow transplant. Let's remember to keep them in our prayers) FROM: http://journals.aol.com/lv2trnscrb/Ofmini-pawsandmenopause/entries/237

Question:

What was the most surprised gift you ever got (you were totally unexpecting it) or gave (the person was totally unexpecting it).

Over the years I've been given many wonderful gifts.  But the gift that will always stand out in my mind, will be the Christmas gift I got from my great grandfather in 1959.   You see, he passed away the end of November that year, but he'd already prepared gifts for everyone in the family, even had them all wrapped.  I still have the little "to" and "from" card off that gift.  The gift...it was a little tin of dimes.  He'd apparently been saving dimes all year and gave them to me for Christmas.  I would imagine there was $10-$15 in dimes, which in 1959 was a lot of money to a high school girl.  My brother (who is younger than me by 8 years) got a tin of pennies. He was as excited as I was.

Well, gotta run...it's off to work this morning.     Linda

Christmas Turkey

Thanks to my friends Linda & Rex for this one.  I remember seeing it a couple years ago and think I actually tried it for my son's benefit but it didn't work very good. 

 Just in time for the Christmas holidays! Sure to bring smiles from your guests!! Here is a new way to prepare your Christmas  turkey.  

 1. Cut the aluminum foil in desired shapes.

2. Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan, position the foil carefully (see picture)

3. Roast according to your own recipe and serve.

4. Watch your guests' faces....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    

Cold but sunny Saturday

I did an entry early this morning and just as I went to save it..something happened and I lost it all.  So now I'm taking a little break from my duties here today and will try it again. 

Our office has adopted the women and children at our local YWCA Battered Women's Shelter for Christmas this year.  The only requirements were that the items we gave be new, non-perishable and no toy guns or anything like that.  So far we've collected a huge box of stuffed animals, games, socks, towels and  personal items.  I was able to get a good deal on bottles of shampoo, lip balms and hand creams from my Avon lady (myself), so will add that to what we already have.  And I've been going thru drawers and boxes pulling out any new items I have piled up that I will never use. I am going to be delivering these things this coming Thursday after work.

Yesterday I was off and completed some errands so didn't get much done around here.  Last January at an "after Christmas" sale at Target I got some red and white fleece blankets (regular price $7.99) for 75 cents each.  I decided to use them as this years' Christmas gifts for my friend Bob's 6 grandchildren and I also decided it would be nice to have their first name's embroidered on the corner.  I started calling around several weeks ago and was so disappointed.  All of the places I called,  wanted a "set-up" fee of anywhere from $5 to $10 for each blanket plus another $15-$20 for the actual embroidery job.  Then I heard about another company that does this work and called them.  They said they would do it for $5 each with no set up fee.  So last Friday (our snow day here in the Pacific Northwest) I drove out to this place and dropped the blankets off.  Yesterday I went out to pick them up.  They were all done with the exception of one blanket..they were not sure about the name so didn't want to do it until I got there.  As it turned out, prior to taking the blankets out there last Friday, I had been to this place before, as they have another business on the same property. It is a lovely place, very beautiful and peaceful.  So while I was waiting for the last blanket I walked around the area with the lady who is one of theowners.  It was an enjoyable time. And I was also able to get another gift for my favorite grand daughter while I was there.  I am so pleased with the way the blankets turned out and will certainly go there again if I need anything like that done again.

It is very cold here today.  This morning the thermometer outside my kitchen window read 26 degrees.  I don't know how to calculate that for my UK friends but I will tell it's well below freezing.  The lawn and all the neighbors cars were white with frost.  My car is safely tucked under the carport so it rarely gets frosted.  And the saddest part is...that all the flowers in my beautiful hanging baskets from summer are finally dead.  The trailing geraniums were actually still blooming until this last week.   I have a huge cedar tree in the front yard, so still have green there.  And of course the rhody's and my big lavender plants are green. Other than that, there's not much color left outside.  I can hardly wait for spring when the daffodils and tulips pop thru the ground and then it will soon be time to plant new annuals in the hanging baskets.

Well, I think break time is over...so I guess I'd better get back to the business at hand.  I also need to go out and get some wood on the porch for tonight's fire in the woodstove.  It's been cold in here all day but my wood supply is also low so I haven't had a fire like I usually do when I'm home all day.    Until next time...Linda

Has Everyone Forgotten ?

Today is Wednesday, December 7, 2005.  It was a Sunday...December 7, 1941 that Pearl Harbor was attacked, 64 years ago.  I see there is no mention of it on the front page of my local paper (probably there's a little blurb buried deep in some section that no one reads).  There was a slight mention of it on the local Seattle news this morning.  And only one of the many calendars (yes, I'm a calendar freak) in my house mentions it.  I don't remember it either..but I do know that 4 weeks later, to the day, I was born and that 6 months after that my dad left for his basic training with the U S Army. I'm sure there are thousands of families who remember that they gave their sons and daughters to go and fight the battle that became known as World War II. And  I'm sure the relatives of those many dear people who lost their lives that day, remember it too.  How soon we forget......Linda

Monday Question answered by me on Tuesday

Good mornng all! Here's my first Monday question that I'm doing for Krissy (Sometimes I think)

From: http://journals.aol.com/lv2trnscrb/Ofmini-pawsandmenopause/entries/230

Have you ever re-gifted? (That's when you got a gift from someone, you might not have liked it so you used it for another person for a gift).

Are you planning to re-gift this year?

You can answer in your journal and link back here or answer below. Have fun!!

Before I give my answer I know from conversations at work that this is a touchy subject.  Some think it's absolutely a horrible practice and others think it's ok.  I like to shop in thrift stores such as the Good Will and Value Village.  I see items in these stores, all the time,  that I know were someone's former birthday or Christmas gift . 

So my theory is, if it's ok to toss in the box that's going to be donated to the Goodwill or put it out for your yard sale next summer, because you don't like it or need it...why not use it as a gift for someone else?   If I get a gift that fits in the category, I always write the date and who I received it from on a post it and keep it with the item.  It would be embarrassing to give it back to the person who gave it to you.         So, yes I have re-gifted...and yes this year I am re-gifting (just one item) again.  Once that gift is given to you, it's yours to do with as you wish.....right?

Just In Time for Your Christmas Baking

Thanks to someone very special to me for this recipe.

Tequila Christmas Cookies

1 cup of water

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup brown sugar

lemon juice

4 large eggs

1 cup walnuts

2 cups dried fruit

1 bottle Jose' Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality.  Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. 

 Turn on the electric mixer--beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. 

 Add one teaspoon of sugar..beat again.  At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup--just in case.  

 Turn off the mixer thingy.  Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.  Pick the stupid fruit off the floor--mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.  Sample the Cuervo to check tonsisticity.

  Next, sift two cups of salt  or something.  Check the Jose Cuervo.  Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.  Add one table.  Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink.  Whatever you can find.  Greash the oven. 

 Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.  Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

       CHERRY  MISTMAS !!

Catching Up With Some Pictures

I decided to catch up posting some of the pictures I tried to get into previous entry's.  My cable thingy from my camera to my computer still isn't working so I took my handy dandy little memory card to Wal Mart over the weekend and got some pictures developed.They have been scanned and I'll pull them up that way.  Hope everyone had a good Monday.   I hope I get some sleep tonight...the U S Air Force is flying non-stop over my house right now (7:30pm)  Sometimes this continues until after midnight and other times they quit by 10pm.  Until next time...Linda

December 4th

Today has been a big day in our family for many years.  My dear dad was born on a cold December 4th in 1913 in Idaho.  And 48 years later on December 4, 1961 my daughter Julie was born on a cold snowy day here in Washington.  For many years they even celebrated their birthday with my dad's mom (grandma Smith to me and "great great" to Julie) as her birthday was December 11th.  Both my grandma and my dad worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and Julie loved horses...so there were some birthday cakes with a little train winding thru a pasture of horses on the top. Afer grandma retired she lived on the same property as my folks, so when Julie was at their house she was surrounded by family. Anyway, dad is celebrating his 92nd birthday in Heaven and Julie is celbrating her 44th birthday with her family.   HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!!

Robin's 5'er a day late

     

Hi guys!!! 

It's Friday and it is time for what I call "THE 5'er!"     

From Robin at; http://journals.aol.com/robinngabster/Thesearethedaysofourlives/entries/1272

Let's play!!!

1.  Where is the furthest you have traveled for Christmas and will you be traveling this year?   When I was a kid we would travel across the snowy Cascade Mountains to either the aunt & uncle on my dad's side (they lived in Yakima) or the aunt & uncle on my mom's side (they lived in Sunnyside) every other year.  Not usually on Christmas day but sometime while school was out for Christmas break.  But that was years ago, in another lifetime.  No where to travel to anymore.  The aunts, uncles and grandparents have all passed away and the cousins are scattered.

2.  Do you celebrate any other holiday this month? Kwanza? Chanukah? Festivus?    Always celebrate Christmas (not Xmas) and every third year on the full moon in March,  I celebrate Festivus (you know I'm kidding, right?)

3. Who is the hardest person to shop for on your Christmas list and why do you think they are so hard to buy for?  I guess I'm pretty lucky, there is no one that's seems difficult to me.  However, maybe none of them like what I give them.

4. How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa? Extra credit if you have a picture of you with Santa!  I don't remember ever believing in Santa Claus.  Ithink my parents helped me to understand that the Santa thing was more the "spirit of Christmas & giving"  and  not a true, live human being. Look at the picture, you can tell by the look on my face that I know that man has on a fake beard.    No really, from a very early age I knew that Christmas was the celebration of the birth of Jesus.

5. Fill in the blank;   For me Christmas just wouldn't be the same without the ? the beautiful Christmas carols, outdoor lights and decorations and of course...the special services and programs at church.

What in the world?

Thanks to my dear friend Charlotte for the picture.  Actually she sent several this was my personal favorite. It was in an email titled "Visual Puns."   Look at it for a minute .....does it look like   "egg plant?"

I had a fruitful day.  Got all my Saturday errands taken care of including the couple things I wanted from Costco.  I got there about 4pm and had my choice of parking places, near the door no less.  I guess all the shoppers were on their way home to fix dinner.  I was in and out of there in no time.  It's still cold here tonight and there were some big dark clouds in the sky but I don't think snow is in the forecast. Maybe it will be a nice warm, balmy rain......Until next time, Linda

Saturday Morning

First of all, I keep forgetting to thank  AOL for the disclaimer attached to the ads at the top of my journal.  That is right friendly of them !   

 The snow is still here, there's no new in my area but up north of Seattle it's snowing as I write.  I'm thinking of Jae this morning (it's coming down heavy in her area) making her rounds (40 miles) collecting the Salvation Army bell ringer's kettles.  Be safe Jae !!. 

  I unfortunately have to go out to Costco (for two items) and they are saying on the news that the roads around here are slippery as the tempature is still at freezing and the roads were very wet from the melted snow.  I still have snow on my lawn but the roads in the park here are clear.

Well, if I'm going to get anything done today, I guess I'd better get myself ready to leave the house   Have a good day....Linda

Krissy's Monday Morning Question (on Thursday)

Monday Morning Question (Comin' at ya on Thursday Morning)

Monday Morning Question: FROM:

http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink/entries/1045

Fruitcake.  Doorstop or delicious?

Well Krissy, this is an easy one for me.  I do like fruit cake, that is some fruit cake.  I find that the fruit cake soaked in rum or brandy is too bitter and that I don't care for.  Awhile back I posted my mom's fruit cake recipe and she did not use booze in her's, she used brandy flavoring.  As I write this, there are eight mini loaves of mom's fruit cake are "aging" and will be ready by Christmas.   The new book by Debbie Macomber, "There's Something About Christmas" is a story about fruitcake.  Borders Book store even served us coffee and fruit cake at the book signing.    So I guess my verdict is as follows;                                                                      1..If it's soaked in booze=doorstop                              2..If it's not=delicious

Happy Fruit Cake to all and to all a goodnight!   Linda

YIKES !!

What is that white stuff coming out of the sky ?  It started about noon today inthe center of town where I work.  It stuck to the grass, shrubs and the car windshields but not the street.  (Thank you Lord) So I had no trouble getting home.  I'm off now until Monday and the weather guy says it's going to warm up to the middle 40's next week.  So now problem...I do feel bad for my son however, he works 10p to 6am and has a communte of 25 miles each way.  So he may run into a little icky weather the next couple nights.    They are just showing the traffic maps of the freeways up in Seattle,  there's lots of red spots on their maps (that means the traffic is barely moving).  I'm thankful I do not have to use the freeway to get to and from work.

There's good news about the victim of the Tacoma Mall shootings.  He's been moved to a rehab hospital in Puyallup.  He was interviewed from his hospital bed the other day and he's confident he'll walk again someday. He has no medical insurance so his friends are having fund raisers for him and I understand his employer is still paying his wages for the time being anyway.  Until next time......Linda 

John's Monday Photo Shoot. Letter G

Your Monday Photo Shoot: The Letter G

From-http://journals.aol.com/johnmscalzi/bytheway/entries/5129

We're getting lexographic for this week's Photo Shoot:

Your Monday Photo Shoot:  Snap a picture of something beginning with the letter "G."  Because I don't think the letter "G" gets nearly as much attention as it should.

Well John, I went back into my past to produce two of my  "G" pictures, then one postcard and one picture I took recently.

1..My great grandparents Mattie and Franklin Olmstead (on my dad's side of the family).  She passed away when I was 5 so I don't remember her.  But he lived until my junior year of high school and he lived just across the driveway from us in his later years so I knew him well. He was a dear man.

2..My grandparents Clara and John Stern,parent's of my mom.  They migrated from Kansas to Sunnyside in eastern Washington in 1920.   Grandpa was a farmer and grandma worked hard taking care of the family and feeding the farm hands. He passed away when I was in the 8th grade and she died a couple years later.   They were both wonderful grandparents and I spent a lot of time with them as a child.  I can remember grandpa used Prince Albert in the can and she was always baking cookies. 

3..Gig Harbor, WA lighthouse.  This postcard pictures the unique lighthouse in the tiny fishing community of Gig Harbor.  Just across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma, WA,  it's a great place for shopping and to have lunch while watching the boats come and go.

4..John has his Gabby and I have mine.  I think John's Gabby is a very cute young lady and I think my Gabi is cute in a different way. I'm glad  I don't have to worry about boys coming to call on my Gabi in a few years. She will always be home with me.

That's my "G" offering.    Until next time....Linda

 

Later Sunday Evening

They're done, they're done !!!  My Christmas cards and letters are done!!!  A new record for me, I must say. Now all I have to do is start wrapping the presents. I have a couple to mail, so they'll be first.   I brought my tree in from my storage shed.  It's unwrapped, everything is straightend out and the lights are plugged in and working.  My dear, smooched face cat, Gabi has absolutely no interest in this tree.  She's the first one...when my son and his two cats lived with me, they were under it sleeping and playing with the hangy down ornaments all the time.  Well, maybe she's just too tired today..maybe while I'm at work tomorrow she'll discover it.  Speaking of work...I've just had 4 days off and tomorrow it's back to the salt mines.  No !!!   Please don't make me go back !!    :)    Until next time....Linda

Meeting Author Debbie Macomber

It was a pleasure to meet local author Debbie Macomber this afternoon.  She lives locally (to me) but is a New York Times best selling author. She is a delightful lady, so much fun.  Her book "Shop on Blossom Street" has a huge following of knitters.  In fact there were several lady's knitting there today.  This afternoon she was promoting her Christmas book for this year.  I happened to be sitting in the front row at Borders and was the first one in line to get my book signed so that was fun.  I purchased the book when I first got to the store about an hour before she arrived. So..I got a head start reading the book.  It's a Christmas book for people who absolutely love fruit cake and for those who can't stand it.  Yup...fruit cake is invloved as is the local city of Puyallup (remember last Sept when I went to the Pew-all-up Fair?) I hope some of you will go out and get it. And if you do, let me know how you liked the book, also Debbie stated that she loves to hear from her readers.  All of her books are delightful. She told how she got started reading back in the 1980's when her kids were little.  Sitting at the kitchen table with a typewriter pounding out love stories. It took several years and a lot of perseverance to get her first book published.       One of the Borders staff members took a picture of Debbie and myself but my cord from my camera to my computer thingy isn't working today, so I've scanned the book and have posted that picture.  Also here's a link to Debbie's website.   Until next time....Linda

http://www.debbiemacomber.com/index.htm

Easy Like Sunday Morning #28

Easy, like Sunday morning!  FROM:

http://journals.aol.com/delela1/BlueSkiesandGentleBreezes/entries/1263

We watched CMT Crossroads last night and had the pleasure of experiencing Lionel Ritchie sing this song with Kenny Rogers!  What a treat and a most excellent show.  Throughout the song, I was grinning as I pondered between two different questions for today.  And my mind is made up.

As always, post your answer in your journal, then come back here and leave me a link in the comments.  I'll post the answers next weekend and then we'll start all over again.

Tell me...

If you dropped a penny from your pocket or purse, would you stop to pick it up, and why?

You know I think for me it would depend....I wouldn't get run over in a WalMart parking lot to pick up a penny but under normal circumstances I might.  However, if I dropped it and left it...some little kid might find it and that would make them happy. 

Sunday Morning-Snow ??

Well, they say there is snow on the ground up north of Seattle in the Everett area.  The news guy on location, was even able to build a tiny (about 3 inches high) snowman.  They say the snow is moving up into the mountains, so that's good news for now.  Although the weather guy just said that some of us in the "south sound" (that's the Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia area) could see a rain and snow mix later today.     After church I plan on going to our local Borders Books to a book signing by local author Debbie Macomber.  She's out promoting her new book "There's Something About Christmas."  She lives across the Narrows Bridge in a small town between Gig Harbor and Bremerton.  I love her Cedar Cove series because even though it's fiction it's set in our local Pacific Northwest area. Makes for fun reading when you're familiar with the locations and towns the author is writing  about.  Until later..Linda

Saturday Evening

I'm happy to say I have an update on last Sunday's shooting victim at the Tacoma Mall.  He has awoke from a coma and has been able to talk to his family and the police.  Here's a link if you'd like to read the entire update.

http://www.komotv.com/stories/40450.htm

I ventured out today, and was very surprised to find the stores I visited not real busy...no huge crowds, I guess they are all home sleeping off yesterday's shopping madness.   The weather was beautiful here most of the day, cold but sunny.  Now this evening the tempature has dropped again to about 38 degrees and it's raining.  I never did get my Christmas tree out of the shed today...maybe tomorrow. 

I'm cooking a big pot of hamburger soup this evening.  It's not done yet but I can smell it and it's making me hungary.  Maybe I'll just eat popcorn for dinner and save the soup for tomorrow and Monday and Tuesday, etc.  Since I ate Thanksgiving dinner away from home this year I had no turkey left-overs.  But, I found a half of a fresh turkey breast at Fred Meyer today for $4.25.  Not a bad price.  I put it in the freezer for now but when I'm ready.....with a box of Stove Top Stuffing and a veggie, I'll have a whole dinner.

Until next time........Linda

 

"THE 5'er!"

Hi guys!!! 

It's Friday and it is time for what I am going to call "THE 5'er!"     FROM: http://journals.aol.com/robinngabster/Thesearethedaysofourlives/entries/1254

Now for the game. If you want to play all you do is cut and paste these questions into your journal. When you have answered them come back and leave a link in my comment section.  On the following Friday I will post your links and a new set of questions! Have fun!

1. Do you already have your Christmas tree up? If so when did you put it up? If not when will you put it up?  Ok here's the deal on my tree.  In reality it's already up and decorated...in my storage shed, wrapped in plastic.  All I have to do is bring it in the house & plug it in. I plan on doing that when the rain lets up.

2. Do you have any particular theme when it comes to decorating your tree? Maybe you do all Disney ornaments? Only blue lights?  Tell us how you decorate your tree. Kudos if you have a picture and post it. No theme, other than the one I've used for the last 15 or so years. The picture is from Christmas 1991...my daughter Jools and then "baby" Harrison. (He's taller than me now). Harrison is the only one that's changed since then.  Jools looks pretty much the same & the tree definitely looks the same.

3.  What is your all time favorite ornament? Only one.  Kudos again if you have a picture and post it.   All the ornamnets are favorites, that's why they stay on the tree year after year.  My very favorite ornaments are put away and those are the handprints, etc that my kids made in school.

4. How many stockings do you hang and are any of them for pets? And...where do you hang them?  (Not everyone has a fireplace) No stockings are hung by the chimney with care...but we did that when we were a familyand the kids were young.  And yes I think Frisky the dog and Chang the cat had stockings,too. Now it's just me and my little cat, so I don't bother with stockings. Who'd stuff them?

5.  Tell us about one of your Christmas traditions. I try to go to church somewhere Christmas Eve. Other than that I guess there really are none anymore. 

Thanksgiving Evening- Recipe for Left Over Turkey

Well Thanksgiving is over for another year.  I did some laundry this morning and got a couple of my Christmas letters written.  The cards are done...just need to finish the letters. My son picked my up about 3pm and took me to his girl friend Carrie's house.  She had a house full...her mom, both of her sisters, a friend of her sister and another couple that are friends of their family.  Then after dinner her uncle came with her grandmother and a friend of his for dessert.  We really had a great time.  They are really a very nice family.

Last night I went to a Thanksgiving service at church.  It was a wonderful service and I was glad to have my grand kids join me.  The pastor gave a brief message based on the scripture found in     1 Thessalonians 5:18..."In everything give thanks"    I've been thinking about that all day....that's really a difficult thing to do at times.  "In everything give thanks"  I guess that means in the bad times as well as the good times.   I need to do better in this area.

Now I want to share a recipe  that I have used in the past to use up that left over turkey.  I love it and has been a favorite at office pot-lucks as well with my family.

Turkey/Chicken Enchilada Casserole

3 cups diced, cooked turkey or chicken, 1 cup chopped onion, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 can chicken broth, 1 small can chopped mild green chilies, 1 can diced cooked tomatoes (partially drained), 1/4 cup salsa (optional), 1 small can sliced olives, 1 small carton of sour cream, 12-15  tortillas, torn into bite size pieces (flour or corn).  Mix all ingredients and pour into 9 inch by 11 inch baking pan.  Sprinkle grated cheese liberally over all.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour if using corn tortillas and a little longer if using flour tortillas.    Yum, yum, yum !!!   

For those of you who will be out shopping at 5am on Friday......I'll be thinking about you as I'm in my nice warm bed.  I understand Target is even making wake up calls for those who registered with them for this service.  For our journal friends in the UK...the day after Thanksgiving is the biggest Christmas shopping day of the season.  Stores actually open at 5 and 6am with special sales for like the first 4 hours. The paper today was loaded with these sale flyers from the different stores.  Just to mention a few; Toy' R Us opens at 6am, Wal Mart open at 5am, J C Penney open at 5am, K Mart open at 6am, Jo Ann Fabrics & Crafts open at 6am, Mervyns open at 5am and Circuit City open at 5am.  I have never participated in this early morning adventure, the day after Thanksgiving, but I know a lot of people who do.  As for me and my cat...we'll be in bed.  Good night,  Linda

Easy-Like A Sunday Morning

EASY -- Like Sunday morning! FROM:

http://journals.aol.com/delela1/BlueSkiesandGentleBreezes/entries/1255

Here's my question of the week.  Answer it in your journal and come back here and leave me a link in the comments.  I'll post your links next weekend and we'll start over again next Sunday.

Tell me.....

When you were growing up, what did you want to be as an adult and is that what you are doing now or did your ambitions change?

Whenever we had Career Day at high school I would visit the following career booths;

1. U S Airforce-I thought it would be great to be an aerial photographer.  Well, I love to take pictures but I don't really like to fly...so it's a good thing I didn't choose that career.

2. Telephone operator-that I did...the first four years out of high school.  I started in July of 1960 and that was back in the days of the old cord switchboards, working split shifts and every holiday.  I should have stayed there...by now I'd be retired.

3. Nursing-my mom was a registered  nurse and I know that's what she wanted for me.  I could have gone to nursing school but I was really sick of school by the time I graduated from high school.  I have however, worked in clerical positions at a hospital for over 24 years.

The job I wanted more than anything (and they didn't have a booth on Career Day) was being a wife and a mother.  Since I'm divorced I guess I really didn't do well as a wife and I think the jury is still out on my mothering.

Tuesday Evening

It's been a little over 48 hours since the tragic events at the Tacoma Mall.  The news is not good regarding the one shooting victim.  I'm including a link to this story from KOMO TV in Seattle.  Please remember this fellow and his family as they wait to see the outcome of his injuries.  Until  next time....Linda

http://www.komotv.com/stories/40392.htm

Update On The Tacoma Mall Shooting

The mall remained closed today until noon.  I imagine there was still some investigating going on there.  I heard on the news tonight that the critically injured victim (a 38 year old man) is still in very serious condition with a bullet lodged at his spine.  The accused appeared in court today to be charged with 14 counts, including assault, kidnapping, etc.  And he's being held on two million dollars bail.   Of course he pleaded not guilty. 

It was another cool day in Western Washington...about 45 degrees, foggy this morning and the sun never did break thru.  I heard that this evening visibility at Seattle-Tacoma airport is about 1/2 mile.  I'm glad I'm not flying anywhere.  I wish the fog would keep the U S Air Force on the ground but they keep going out & in over my house.

Until next time.........Linda

Thanksgiving Divorce

A man in Phoenix calls his son in New York a few days before Thanksgiving and says, "I hate  to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing... forty-five years of misery is enough."

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.   "We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the father says.  "We're sick of each other and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone.  "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts.  "I'll take care of this."

She gets on the phone and calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at her father,  "you are NOT getting divorced.  Don't do a single thing until I get there.  I'm calling my brother back and we'll both be there tomorrow.  Until then, don't do a thing. DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The man hangs up the phone and turns to his wife,  "Okay," he says, "the kids are coming for Thanksgiving and they are paying their own way."

 

It's Over

Nearly four hours after the shooting began the suspect is in custody !!! Towards the end he apparently had 2 or 3 hostages with him.  It's not known at this time if there are any more people injured.  The police are in the process of debriefing the hostages and others that were still trapped in the mall. The injured still stands at 6 people with one in critical condition.  I will know more tomorrow after it's all sorted out.  The news spread across the country fast.  My cousin Betty called from Utah and my friend Claire called from Oklahoma as the news was on CNN. My friend Bob is in Pasadena, CA and he said it was on the new down there, also.  Thank God it's over.

Until later........Linda

Horrible Day At The Tacoma Mall

Right now as I write this entry, the Tacoma (WA) Mall is closed and being evacuated.  Apparently,  gun fire rang out in the mall earlier today, 6 people have been transported to area hospitals with gun shot injuries.  One critically injured is at Tacoma General Hospital per their media person. The suspect is apparently holed up in one of the stores inside the mall and a police SWAT team is headed into that area.  What an awful thing to happen.  My thoughts and prayers are with those who were there when this happened and to those who have been injured.  Concern also for those law enforcement officers who have to go in and try and get to this person before anyone else is injured.   I heard one lady interviewed on the radio say that she was just outside the Penney's store with her three little girls when the shots rang out.  She grabbed her three girls and headed for an exit.  When she got to her car, she said these 2 lady's came along, crying and asked if they could get in her car because their car was on the other side of the parking lot and they were afraid to go in that direction.  Another witness said that some people were actually running into the mall thinking that the shots were out in one of the parking lots.  They are saying now that there are still people (shoppers and employees) trapped inside the mall and families and friends are gathering on the sidewalks across the street from the mall waiting for word on their loved ones. 

            WHAT A NIGHTMARE !!!!

John's Weekend Assignment #86 Thankfully Remembered

Weekend Assignment #86: Thankfully Remembered

From John; http://journals.aol.com/johnmscalzi/bytheway/entries/5084
Next Thursday is Thanksgiving, and, frankly, I don't expect to see too many of you around here on that day, so I thought I'd post a Thanksgiving-themed Weekend Assignment this Thursday:

Weekend Assignment #86: Who are you thankful for -- who you won't be able to spend this Thanksgiving with? This is a chance to tell us about the people you care about who will be far away from you this holiday, or who have passed on but remain in your heart.

Extra Credit: Pumpkin pie vs. pecan pie -- which do you choose for Thanksgiving dessert?

I remember Thanksgivings past...when my parents were still alive and my kids were young.  We seemed to have the biggest house, so everyone came over.  My mom made these great sweet potatoes, she would boil them until tender,peel them,  then slice them horizonally, then just before dinner she  would fry them (in her electric frying pan she that always brought along) in a mixture of butter and brown sugar. And she always made the gravy, even at our house.  Frequently, my former husband  (who worked for the railroad) would have to go off on the train so dinner would be set around his departure time. If he was home for the day, he and my dad would watch football on TV.  I don't think either one of them really cared about the game but it was the thing to do on Thanksgiving afternoon.  When my grandmother was still alive (she passed away in 1979) she would always ask for her dessert to go.  She (and my dad) were retired from the railroad and when she was still working, she would take her holiday dessert to work with her.  So even after she retired, she would say "I'll take my dessert with me so I can eat at work tonight."  It was kind of a family joke that grandma always ate her dessert later.  My kids were both blessed to have wonderful grandparents and a great grandmother (great, great as Julie called her) in their lives.  We used to have such a good time at family holiday get togethers.  Oh how I miss those days.  But I know that someday we will all gather again.... around the throne of God for a family reunion.

Extra Credit question:  It has to be pecan pie (just a small slice as it's so rich).  Pumpkin pie is absolutely out !!     Yuk !  

Every Store Should Have This Sign

Thanks to my friend Judy in Arizona for this one.

It's Over For Another Year !!

With a minute and 40 seconds left in the game, the Cougars came from behind with a touchdown and ended up winning the Apple Cup 26-22.  I'm happy for them...the drive from eastern Washington is especially awful  right now.  There's a section of I-90 going over the mountain pass that's down to one lane in each direction due to massive rock slides.  So they deserve to win based on the fact they had a hard time getting here and will have an even harder time driving back this afternoon.  The news said this morning that the traffic was backed up for 30-40 miles in each direction. 

 Both of these schools are wonderful universities.  The University of Washington in Seattle has a fantastic medical school.  And Washington State has a fine educational program for teachers and a program for physical and occupational  therapists.

Now the Oregon vs Oregon State college game is coming on..I think I'll pass (a little football talk there)  and look for a good movie on the tube.

I had a great shopping trip to Trader Joes...my friend loved it and says she's going to drag her hubby over there.  It is a wonderful store and they are always handing out samples.  Today we sampled their spiral cut ham, some Christmas cookies and a holiday blend coffee. Yum !! 

Until next time.....Linda

 

Saturday Morning

The big day is here !!  Today is the playing of the 98th Apple Cup football game between our state's two big rivals.  On the west side of the Cascades (here where I live) you have the Univ of Washington in Seattle, aka The Huskies.  Then on the east side of the Cascades you have Washington State Univ , aka the Cougars.  I've noticed that it doesn't matter that I live in Western Washington, the Cougars are everywhere over here.  In fact I drove by the pharmacy at the hospital yesterday, and there was this huge inflated Cougar out front.. proudly standing there for all to see.  I know that the head pharmacist there is a Cougar and proud of it.  The funny part is, that his wife (also a pharmacist) attended the Univ of WA, so she's a Husky.  Anyway, I have no preference so I'll just say "May the best team win!" 

Meanwhile, I'm going off to Trader Joes to get my breakfast cereal supply and another jar of their great almond butter.  A friend of mine is going with me, she's never been there so it ought to be a fun trip. 

My brother and wife live very near Trader Joes so I will go by their house and drop off this years Christmas ornaments for their three daughters.  Two are married with children of their own and the other one is still single.  But Aunt Linda has been giving them a Christmas ornament every year since they were little girls.  I like to have them at my brother's before Thanksgiving, so that the girls will have them in plenty of time for their holiday decorating.

Have a good Saturday..........Linda  

GO HUS-GARS !!

In My Opinion....

Regarding those stupid banners across the top.....I think we should we should just ignore them & maybe they'll go away. 

Or....maybe we should all ask AOL for a credit on our bill each month since they are using this space, we've paid for....to advertise.  Certainly they are getting BIG money for those ads from the companies represented.  

 It was just a thought......

(Freaky) Friday's Five from Robin

The  Official Friday Five begins now!

* Ooops! That title is taken...how about...Five Fun Questions for the week? Fun Five? FREAKIN A' Five? Fiddlesticks I thought I had an original idea Five? Help me name it. from:

http://journals.aol.com/robinngabster/Thesearethedaysofourlives/entries/1227

1.  What is the one thing on your Thanksgiving table that you will NOT eat?   dark meat of the bird

2.  Did you ever play in a pile of leaves as a kid? If so do you have a picture of you or someoneyou know playing in the fall leaves? Post it if you do!  No, I don't think we had leaves.  There were just Douglas fir trees around the house and they have needles not leaves.

3. When you think of Fall what are the three things that come to mind? 1. higher electric bills to heat the house, 2. winterizing my roses, 3. the car is going to be darn cold when I go out to go to work in the morning. (Gosh am I a little negative tonight or what? All I know is that Arizona is sounding better & better for the winter as I get older)

4. When was the last time you had pumpkin pie? Was it last year or have you already had some this year?  Quite frankly, I can hardly eat pumpkin pie.  I have never really cared for it unless it's completely covered in Cool Whip.  It's been several years, I'm sure, since I choked some down.

5.Tell us something really nice about the last person you read an email from.   I got a comment from Penny (firestormkids04) She's always so upbeat and I love to read of her time as a missonary in Mexico.

I like Freaky Friday's Five also.......Linda

Friday Evening

Well, it's been a busy day off for me.  I had an appointment this morning to have an EMG on my left arm.  It's been feeling weird, heavy, with numbness and tingling in my left hand and fingers.  I thought maybe the carpal tunnel problem had returned (I had both wrists fixed back in the 80's) but they decided today it's not carpal tunnel. The doc decided to check my neck, so he stuck his needles in the muscles at the C-5, C-6 & C-7 level and found a problem there.  Now he wants me to have an MRI of my cervical spince.  I hate those things...I just had a MRI of my head on November 4th and I was a basket case for hours afterwards.  I am somewhat claustrophobic anyway and those MRI machines are not a good place for someone with that problem.  I had taken some medication before that exam but still felt very panicky.  Now I have to have another one. OH YUK !!!! Why couldn't it be of my feet ?

After that appointment this morning, I went to the grocery store and the post office and came home.  I decided to get started on my Christmas cards and I have completed them this afternoon !! Well, just the addressing part.  I still have the "letter" to write.  I usually just write one base letter in Word and then personalize it for those that get letters.  Some just get a note handwritten in the card. It depends....I traditionally do my cards Thanksgiving weekend but thought "heck that's only a week away, so why not."  

Speaking of Thanksgiving...I got a special invitation to Thanksgiving dinner yesterday.  It was from Carrie, the gal my son Jim has been dating.  She was the one with him when he had his skydiving mishap back on August 13th. They don't get to see much of each other because of their opposite work schedules but are still good friends.  Anyway, Jim and I will be having dinner with Carrie, her two sisters, her mom and some friends of her sisters.  It ought to be a great afternoon.  That means no turkey leftovers in my refrigerator and that's fine with me.  I love turkey but it's available all year long in the stores so can cook it whenever I feel the urge.

Now next weekend I can do my 20 minute decorating routine for Christmas.  I have a 4 1/2 foot Christmas tree....all decorated with plastic wrapped around it.  It's out in my storage shed just waiting to be brought into the house.  I bring it in, put it on the table in front of the window and plug in the lights (yes I take the plastic wrapping off).  Then I take the generic wreath off my front door and hang up the Christmas wreath.  I'll have to get Jim or my friend Bob (however right now he's in sunny Pasadena, CA)  to come over and put up the icicle lights on the front of my house and then my decorating will be done.

There was a time when I really went all out at Christmas.  But now.... usually it's just me here so I don't do all that intense decorating that I once did, when my kids were home.

Until next time......Linda

Something To Think About

Here's something to think about as we move into the Christmas season.

According to the Alberta Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to December.

Female reindeer retain their antlers until after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, every single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen had to be a girl.

We should have known.....only women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

International Girl Friends Week

It is good to be a woman:

1..We got off the Titanic first.

2..We can scare male bosses with the mysterious gynecological disorder excuses.

3..Taxis stop for us.

4..We don't look like a frog in the blender dancing.

5..No fashion faux pas we make, could ever rival a Speedo.

6..We don't have to pass gas to amuse ourselves.

7..If we forget to shave, no one knows.

8..We can congratulate our team mate without ever touching her rear end.

9..We never have to reach down every so often to make sure our privates are still there.

10..We can speak to the opposite sex without having to picture them naked.

11..There are times when chocolate really can solve all your problems.

12..We can make comments about how silly men are in their presence because they aren't listening anyway.

Well..I did it

Last night I mixed up the fruitcake and baked 8 mini loafs.  Today, I wrapped each one in plastic wrap and then put them back in the pans they were baked in (I did take the brown paper off the bottom of each loaf before I wrapped them).  They are now stored for thirty days.  I even wrote a note on the December page of my kitchen calendar, so I wouldn't forget them.  In the mini loaf pans it took exactly 1 hour at 300 degrees for them to get done.  Today, I went to the Post Office to mail eBay packages.  The line was so long (because of the holiday on Friday, I guess) I almost turned around and left.  But I didn't....and remarkably the Postal staff worked hard to get us taken care of as quickly as possible.  Then it was off to Safeway for a few groceries.....another quart of Light egg nog (so good in cocoa) and some hubbard squash to bake and  3 new potatoes to make a little batch of potato salad for Sunday.  For some reason potato salad sounds good.  I think I'll grill a chicken breast on my George Foreman grill to go with it and cook some broccoli.  A great Sunday dinner, I'd say. It was cold here today, never got much higher than 45 degrees.  Tonight it's raining and I'm sure the snow is really coming down in the mountains.  The skiiers are in 7th heaven, I'm sure.   I hope everyone has had a good Saturday...I think I'll take my book and my kitty and get horizontal.  Until next time.......Linda

Follow-up to the Washington State Anniversary

I had the question from  jeadie05   "how many states at the time Washington became a state?"  Here's a list of states and their order and date of admission...

1. Delaware 7 December 1787    2. Pennsylvania 12 December 1787    3. New Jersey 18 December 1787    4. Georgia 2 January 1788    5. Connecticut 9 January 1788    6. Massachusetts 6 February 1788    7. Maryland 28 April 1788   8. South Carolina 23 May 1788    9. New Hampshire 21 June 1788    10. Virginia 25 June 1788     11. New York 26 July 1788             12. North Carolina 21 November 1789    13. Rhode Island 29 May 1790    14. Vermont 4 March 1791    15. Kentucky 1 June 1792    16. Tennessee 1 June 1796       17. Ohio 1 March 1803            18. Louisiana 30 April 1812    19. Indiana 11 December 1816     20. Mississippi 10 December 1817     21. Illinois 3 December 1818     22. Alabama 14 December 1819     23. Maine 15 March 1820    24. Missouri 10 August 1821    25. Arkansas 15 June 1836     26. Michigan 26 January 1837     27. Florida 3 March 1845     28. Texas 19 December 1845    29. Iowa 28 December 1846       30. Wisconsin 29 May 1848         31. California 9 September 1850      32. Minnesota 11 May 1858    33. Oregon 14 February 1859      34. Kansas 29 January 1861     35. West Virginia 20 June 1863     36. Nevada 31 October 1864            37. Nebraska 1 March 1867       38. Colorado 1 August 1876   39. North Dakota 2 November 1889        40. South Dakota 2 November 1889      41. Montana 8 November 1889                 42. Washington 11 November 1889      43. Idaho 3 July 1890    44. Wyoming 10 July 1890       45. Utah 4 January 1896          46. Oklahoma 16 November 1907        47. New Mexico 6 January 1912        48. Arizona 14 February 1912     49. Alaska 3 January 1959  and   50. Hawaii 21 August 1959

Washington admitted as a state

Not only is it Veteran's Day it's a special day for the State of Washington.  I found this information on the web regarding this important day for my beloved home state. http://www.secstate.wa.gov/history/

Washington admitted as a state

On November 11, 1889, U.S. Secretary of State James Blaine sent a telegram to Miles Moore, the last governor of Washington Territory stating: "The President signed the proclamation declaring Washington to be a state in the Union at 5:00 and twenty-seven minutes this afternoon."

On October 23, 1889, Territorial Governor Miles C. Moore dispatched a certified copy of the Constitution of the State of Washington by courier to be delivered to the President who had to approve it before he could proclaim Washington to be a state. Days went by with no word, and finally on November 4 a message was received saying that because Governor Moore had forgotten to sign the copy the President could not approve it. Overnight a new copy was prepared in Olympia (in long-hand since there were no copying machines in 1889, signed by the Convention delegates and Gov. Moore and it was sent to the President by courier the next day.

On November 11, 1889 the President approved the Constitution and issued the proclamation declaring Washington a state. Secretary of State James Blaine sent two telegrams to Washington announcing the news.