The Joy of Six...

Home From the Holiday…and back at it….

Hi Everyone!  I’m back from my Christmas travels to my daughter Julie’s house….and what a wonderful time we had.  From the time Jory and Jesse picked Jenna and I up from the airport until Julie packed the kids in the car to take us back to the airport on Monday…..we truly had some great fun and family time together; a time I think we ALL needed and appreciated.  We didn’t do anything outrageous….just spent time together and relaxed.  We played games and watched movies….had some delicious food and talked, hugged and laughed a lot.  We had no agenda, and I really like that.  We kind of just flowed with each day as it came.

 

Jen and I babysat the night after we got in so that Julie and Chris, and Jory and Jesse could go out for a special dinner together.  It was kind of a Christmas present to each other.  They went into New York to a fancy restaurant and had a very nice evening...they even stopped at Rockefeller Center to see the big Christmas tree; while Jen and I had a great and cozy time with Bella and Bastian.  We ate dinner and watched the movie “Up”….which we all just loved.  Then we read stories at bedtime, tucked everyone in, and just chilled and waited for everyone to come home.  Bye the way, for anyone who hasn’t seen "Up"...it's an adorable movie, but I suggest you have some Kleenex nearby.  Jen and I were crying like babies several times.  Hey, who knew?  Turns out Julie and Jory were turned into ‘mush’ when they watched it too.  Must run in the family…..

 

Christmas Eve day was slotted for Aunt Jory’s traditional Gingerbread Cookie baking day with Bella; and this year Bastian wanted to be added to the mix (so to speak)….and what loyal and 'mostly' attentive helpers they were.   I have been witness to several of Jory’s Gingerbread cookie days with Bella in the past, and I am always amazed at how beautifully she handles everything….especially the kids.  This time was a joy to behold.  She explained everything in detail, let the kids smell and sample everything, and was patient and loving throughout the whole event.  And it WAS an event!  One that Bella looks forward to with great excitement and anticipation.  We all took pictures…even me with my new digital camera that Jenna got me for Xmas.  I could wait to see what shots everyone else got, but I wouldn’t be able to post them now; so here’s a few that I took. (I’m still learning how to use my new toy.) Click on photos to enlarge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas morning was fun….and busy, with Bella and Bastian in the center of everything and making out like bandits…again. Alternating from the presents under the tree and the ones left by Santa by the fireplace, Bella and Bastian didn't know where to look first.  Santa was very good to those two little ones.  I only hope the cookies HE ate from the plate left by the fireplace helped him get through that very long and busy night.  After ‘OOOing’ and ‘AHHing’ over all the gifts to everyone, we sat back to enjoy the day and have a wonderful dinner prepared by Julie, Chris, Jory and Jesse.  I didn’t do a thing except reap the rewards.  Delicious!!  Of course there were things to put together, games to play, little bodies to hug and faces to kiss; so I was kept quite busy.  Here’s a few more photos……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Considering there were several computers around….and in use most of the time; I’m amazed I didn’t touch a computer during my whole visit.  Well, okay....I did manage to sneak a peek on my very last day there when I finally decided to check out my e-mail and my blog site, plus a few others.  In the four+ years that I’ve been blogging, I don’t think I’ve EVER been away from a computer for that many days.  It felt weird….but strangely good too.  I knew things weren’t falling apart and piling up for me regarding work thanks to Denise, the Community Manager for BlogHer.  She had my back and always does.  Thank you Denise for some very relaxing and enjoyable family time.

 

All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas and great to be with my kids and truly enjoy each other.  We all missed Joe, who had to work at the Police Department over the holidays.  He always adds his own personal brand of humor to family get-togethers…he’s outrageous, but he sure knows how to make everyone laugh.  Jen and I celebrated with Joe when we got back and exchanged presents.  We even had his Xmas stocking hanging by the fireplace filled with goodies.  Joe is such a traditionalist when it comes to those kind of things…..he loved it.  Besides, he IS my baby boy.

 

So now…back to reality.  I’m okay with that….I need my dose of daily structure.  Here we are....looking at a New Year.  I’m going with one of my oldest friends to her daughter’s house for New Year’s Eve for a night of games, goodies and goofing around. (Oh my poor diet has gone out the window.  Hello New Year's resolution.)  This will be my last hurrah!  We’re having a good ‘ol sleepover.  What a hoot!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope every one of you have a wonderful New Year…however you spend it.  May 2010 be very good to all of you and bless you with health, love and happiness.  Happy New Year dear friends and family…..  Joy ~xo

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus….

This will be my last post until after Christmas sometime.  Jenna and I are leaving for Julie’s early Tuesday morning and won’t be home until the following Monday night.  We are all very excited.  All of our presents arrived safely, have been placed under the tree for days; and have been under the watchful eyes of Bella and Bastian.  They are already guessing what’s in them.  We have a lot of things planned around the big day.  It’s become a tradition for Aunt Jory and Bella to bake gingerbread cookies, and once again I look forward to getting some good pictures of that, with Aunt Jenna possibly joining in the baking festivities with some things of her own. 

 

Bella asked me on the phone a couple of nights ago….”Grandma, will you teach me how to knit?”  Looks like we’ll be shopping for some knitting needles and yarn while I’m there and starting that little project. Now this is something I will personally love. Her mom wanted to learn to knit a few years ago….pre-Bella days….and I showed her; but she hasn’t exactly had the time to pursue it.

 

In that same phone conversation I was treated to a Xmas concert by Bella and Bastian….so cute….and very entertaining.  It was probably the longest…and best conversation I’ve had with BOTH of them on the phone EVER.  They each even read a story to me.  I think it became a competition after a while for Bastian.  If Bella was going to do it…..HE was going to do it.  And, of course if Grandma clapped and made a big deal of it…..all the better; plus it kept them up later when they should have already been in bed.  Smart kids.

 

Happy Holidays to all of you.  Stay safe, stay healthy, and be happy…….   Love and Blessings always….. ~Joy 

 

 

Santa Claus: The True Story

 

I remember my first Christmas party with Grandma.  I was just a kid.  I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big sister dropped the bomb: “There is no Santa Claus,” she jeered.  “Even dummies know that!”

 

My grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been.  I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me.  I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns.

 

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm.  Between bites, I told her everything.  She was ready for me.

 

“No Santa Claus!” she snorted.  “Ridiculous!  Don’t believe it.  That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad.  Now, put on your coat, and let’s go.”

 

“Go? Go where, Grandma?”  I asked.  I hadn’t even finished my second cinnamon bun.

 

“Where” turned out to be Kerby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything.

 

As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars.  That was a bundle in those days.  “Take this money and buy something for someone who needs it.  I’ll wait for you in the car.”  Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s.

 

I was only eight years old.  I’d often gone shopping with my mother, but never had I shopped for anything all by myself.  The store seemed big and crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping.  For a few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

 

I thought of everybody I Knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, the people who went to my church.  I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobbie Decker.  He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s second grade class.

 

Bobbie Decker didn’t have a coat.  I knew that because he never went out for recess the winter.  His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobbie Decker didn’t have a cough, and he didn’t have a coat.  I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement.  I would buy Bobbie Decker a coat.

 

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it.  It looked real warm, and he would like that.

 

“Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down.

 

“Yes,” I replied shyly.  “It’s…for Bobbie.”

 

The nice lady smiled at me.  I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

 

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and ribbons, and write, “To Bobbie, From Santa Claus” on it.  Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy.  Then she drove me over to Bobbie Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa’s helpers.

 

Grandma parked down the street from Bobbie’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk.  Then Grandma gave me a nudge.  “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “get going.”

 

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma.  Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open.  Finally it did, and there stood Bobbie.

 

Forty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering, beside my Grandma, in Bobbie Decker’s bushes.  That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were: ridiculous.  Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.  

 

This story is not about me...as some of you have already thought.  I'm sorry I didn't make that clear.  I just wanted to pass it on to you for the holidays.  ~Joy 

 

 

Happy

   

Holidays

Christmas Decorations???

I thought this was hysterical…and very inventive, and put it in my “Why Didn’t I Think of That” file…. (click on picture to enlarge) 

 

 

 

This one might be a little tacky, but it’s funny. Santa is on the ‘naughty’ list this year….

 

 

 

 

And my personal favorite….although, if I drove by something like this….it would seriously ‘freak me out!’

 

 

 

  

Good news is that they truly out did themselves this year with their Christmas decorations.  The bad news is that they had to take him down after two days.  They had more people come screaming up to their house than ever.  Great stories.  But two things made them take it down.

 

First, the cops advised them that it would cause traffic accidents as they themselves almost wrecked when they drove by.

 

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder, almost killed herself putting it against their house, and didn’t realize that it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy).  By the way, she was one of the many people who attempted to do that.  Their yard couldn’t take it either.  They had more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up into their yard.

 

'Tis the season to be crazy.  Happy Holidays Everyone!  ~Joy 

A Little Festive Fun...

Okay, last year I did this game, but with some different variations in titles than this one, and everyone seemed to have fun with it.  So, I thought I’d test my blogging buddies again…let’s see how you do.  I’ll post the answers in a couple of days….or just e-mail me and I’ll send them to you.

 

Name That Christmas Carol

 

Match the description with a favorite Christmas Carol for each of the 20 items below. (Good luck, some of these are not so easy.)

 

1.  Bleached Yule

 

2.  Castaneous-colored Seed Vesicated in a Conflagration

 

3. Singular Yearning for the Twin Anterior Incisors

 

4. Righteous Darkness

 

5.  Arrival Time 2400 hrs – Weather Cloudless

 

6.  Loyal Followers Advance

 

7. Far Off in a Feeder

 

8.  Array the Corridor

 

9.  Bantam Male Percussionist

 

10.  Monarchial Triad

 

11.  Nocturnal Noiselessness

 

12.  Jehovah Deactivate Blithe Chevaliers

 

13. Red Man En Route to Borough

 

14. Frozen Precipitation Commence

 

15.  Proceed and Enlighten on the Pinnacle

 

16.  The Quadruped with the Vermillion Probiscis

 

17.  Query Regarding Identity of Descendant

 

18. Delight for this Planet

 

19.  Give Attention to the Melodious Celestial Beings

 

20.  The Dozen Festive 24 Hour Intervals

 

 

 

 

Well, now that I’ve got you all warmed up, let’s really get your brain cells working.  I actually have passed this “Mind Bender” out in the past to friends and family.  It was such fun and thought-provoking that I thought you would appreciate it too.  I have the answers if you can’t stand it anymore.  Good luck everyone!

 

This test will give you some gauge of your mental flexibility and creativity.  In the years since the test was developed, few people were able to solve more than half of the 26 questions on the first try.  Many, however, reported getting answers long after the test had been set aside – particularly at unexpected moments when their minds were relaxed, and some reported solving all the questions over a period of several days.  Take this as your personal challenge.

 

Each question below contains the initials of words that will make it correct.  Find the missing words.  For example: 26 = L of the A   ( 26 Letters of the Alphabet )

 

1. 26 = L of the A

2. 7 = W of the AW

3. 1,001 = A N

4. 12 = S of the Z

5.  54  = C in a D (with the J)

6.  9 = P in the S S

7.  88 =  P K

8.  13 = S on the A F

9.  32 = D F at which W F

10.  18 = H on the G C

11.  90 = D in a R A

12.  200 = D for P G in M

13.  8 = S on a S S

14.  3 = B M (S H T R)

15.  4 = Q in a G

16.  24 = H in a D

17.  1 = W on a U

18.  5 = D in a Z C

19.  57 = H V

20.  11 = P on a F T

21.  1,000 = W that a P is W

22.  29 = D in F in a L Y

23.  64 = S on a C

24.  40 = D and N of the G F

25.  100 = B of B on the W

26.  31 = B R I C F

Well, I hope you love these things as much as I do.  I’ll post the answers in a couple of days at the bottom of this post; but if you just can’t wait….e-mail me and I’ll tell you before your brains burst.  I certainly don’t want anything like that happening before the holiday.  I hope you're all enjoying this time preparing for the holidays with your family and friends.  Take care everyone....   Lots of love to you all... 

 

 

Hi everyone.  How did you all do? As promised…here are the answers….

 

Name That Christmas Carol

 

1. White Christmas
2. Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
3. All I Want For Xmas Is My Two Front Teeth
4. Oh Holy Night
5. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
6. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
7. Away In a Manger
8. Deck The Halls
9. Little Drummer Boy

10. We Three Kings

11. Silent Night

12. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

13. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

14. Let It Snow

15. Go Tell It On The Mountain

16. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

17. What Child is This?

18. Joy To The World

19. Hark The Herald Angels Sing

20. The 12 Days of Xmas

 

 

 

“Mind Bender”

 

1. 26 Letters of the Alphabet
2. 7 Wonders of the Ancient World
3. 1,001 Arabian Nights
4. 12 Signs of the Zodiac
5. 54 Cards in a Deck (with the jokers)
6. 9 Planets in the Solar System
7. 88 Piano Keys
8. 13 Stripes on the American Flag
9. 32 Degrees Farenheit at which water freezes
10. 18 Holes on the Golf Course
11. 90 Degrees in a Right Angle
12. 200 Dollars for Passing Go in Monopoly
13. 8 Sides on a Stop Sign
14. 3 Blind Mice (See How They Run)
15. 4 Quarts in a Gallon
16. 24 Hours in a Day
17. 1 Wheel on a Unicycle
18. 5 Digits in a Zip Code
19. 57 Heinz Variety
20. 11 Players on a Football Team
21. 1,000 Words that a Picture is Worth
22. 29 Days in February in a Leap Year
23. 64 Squares on a Checkerboard
24. 40 Days and Nights of the Great Flood
25. 100 Bottles of Beer on the Wall
26. 31 Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Flavors

 

    ( Seems so easy now, doesn’t it? )

 

Jots from Joy

We had our first snow flurries yesterday.  Didn’t amount to much, and everything melted on contact; but as I watched them gently come down while I worked I couldn’t help thinking…here we go, is this the start of a decent or dreadful Midwestern winter?  I can only hope for the best as I just don’t take winter clean-ups the same as I use to.  I guess I don’t ‘go-with-the-flow’ quite the same way.  Or more accurately; my body doesn’t.  So when one of those nice, fresh, crisp, heavy, white snowfalls gets dumped upon us…and we’re beckoned to bundle up and go and shovel out our cars and our sidewalks; my mind and heart may be saying “Let’s win one for the Gipper,” but my body is swearing up a blue streak.  Please Mother Nature…..be kind to us this Winter.  Love, Joy

 
  
 Here’s something I’d thought you’d like.  No one can fracture a Christmas Carol better than a kid.  Sing along with these new takes on some old favorites.  What a hoot!

 

“Deck the Halls with Buddy Holly”

“We three kings of porridge and tar”

“On the first day of Christmas my tulip gave to me”

“Later on we’ll perspire, as we dream by the fire”

“He’s makin’ a list, chicken and rice”

“Noel, Noel, Barney’s the King of Israel”

“With the jelly toast proclaim”

“Olive, the other reindeer”

“Frosty the Snowman is a ferret elf, I say”

“Sleep in heavenly peas”

“In the meadow we can build a snowman, then pretend that he is sparse and brown”

“You’ll go down in listerine”

“Oh, what fun it is to ride with one horse, soap and hay”

“Come, froggy faithful”

“You’ll tell Carol, Be a skunk, I require”

“Good tidings we bring to you and your kid”

 

Kids Who Are Different

 

Here’s to the kids who are different,

The kids who don’t always get A’s,

The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers,

And noses that go on for days…

 

Here’s to the kids who are different,

The kids they call crazy or dumb,

The kids who don’t fit, with the guts and the grit,

Who dance to a different drum…

 

Here’s to the kids who are different,

The kids with the mischievous streak,

For when they have grown, as history’s shown,

It’s their difference that makes them unique.

 

Happy Weekend everyone….. Love, Joy

Pieces of Me…Revisited

 

Children

 

 

Watching eyes…

child-size,

ever-present,

ever-wise.

Always searching

with surprise.

 

Ever-twinkling,

Angel eyes.

 

In disguise,

hiding cries.

Honest, loving,

shunning lies.

Soft and brilliant

as the skies.

Truly fusing

family ties.

 

Little sighs;

Me-oh-my’s;

Never ceasing

asking “why’s?”

Cheerful “hi’s,”

Waving “byes;”

 

Unrelentless…

How time flies!

    ~ Joy

 

 

 

Angels Among Us

 

 

We all have been touched by an Angel;

by the warmth and the love that one brings.

We may not recognize them as Angels,

for they’re not dressed in halos and wings.

 

 

But, they’re there nonetheless right beside us…

mortal messengers right here on earth;

and their charity bestowed upon others

will be measured in heavenly worth.

 

 

There’s an Angel nearby when you’re troubled;

When you’re lost and cannot find your way.

It’s an “angel-in-waiting’ who’ll listen,

and show you a far brighter day.

 

 

When a tender touch has been offered;

Hopeful words that will urge you to try;

Smiling eyes softly filled with compassion;

Just the boost that will help get you by.

 

 

If you think you know an Angel, count your blessings.

They befriend us all…in every shape and size.

Note the deeds of earthly Angels here among us,

and you’ll know why wings and halos rule the skies.    ~Joy

 

 

Have a really great weekend everyone..... ~xo   

 

 

 

A Change of Plans

Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving.  I’m telling you in advance, so don’t act surprised.  Since Ms. Stewart won’t be coming, I’ve made a few small changes:

 

Our sidewalk will not be lined with homemade, paper bag luminaries.  After a trial run, it was decided that no matter how cleverly done, rows of flaming lunch sacks do not have the desired welcoming effect.

 

The dining table will not be covered with expensive linens, fancy china or crystal goblets.  If possible, we will use dishes that match and everyone will get a fork.  Since this IS Thanksgiving, we will refrain from using the plastic Peter Rabbit plates and the Santa napkins from last Christmas.

 

Our centerpiece will not be the tower of fresh fruit and flowers that I promised.  Instead we will be displaying a hedgehog-like decoration hand-crafted from the finest construction paper.  The artist assures me it is a turkey.

 

We will be dining fashionably late.  The children will entertain you while you wait.  I’m sure they will be happy to share every choice comment I have made regarding Thanksgiving, pilgrims and the turkey hotline.  Please remember that most of these comments were made at 5:00 AM upon discovering that the turkey was still hard enough to cut diamonds.  As accompaniment to the children’s recital, I will play a recording of tribal drumming.  If the children should mention that I don’t own a recording of tribal drumming, or that tribal drumming sounds suspiciously like a frozen turkey in a clothes dryer, ignore them.  They are lying.

 

We toyed with the idea of ringing a dainty silver bell to announce the start of our feast.  In the end, we chose to keep our traditional method.  We’ve also decided against a formal seating arrangement.  When the smoke alarm sounds, please gather around the table and sit where you like.  In the spirit of harmony, we will ask the children to sit at a separate table,  In a separate room.  Next door.

 

Now I know you have all seen pictures of one person carving a turkey in front of a crowd of appreciative onlookers.  This will not be happening at our dinner.  For safety reasons, the turkey will be carved in a private ceremony.  I stress “private” meaning... Do not, under any circumstances, enter the kitchen to laugh at me.  Do not send small, unsuspecting children to check on my progress.  I have an electric knife. The turkey is unarmed.  It stands to reason that I will eventually win.  When I do, we will eat.

 

Before I forget, there is one last change.  Instead of offering a choice between 12 different scrumptious desserts, we will be serving the traditional pumpkin pie, garnished with whipped cream and small fingerprints.  You will still have a choice: take it or leave it.

 

Martha Stewart will not be dining with us this Thanksgiving.  She probably won’t come next year either.

 

 

If only for that, I am thankful.

 

 

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

A Cat's Thanksgiving

 

"Thank you God for this large and flightless bird I see before me.  I will not leave my post; and in the end I will taste the spoils of victory."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I am thankful that I am not as stupid as some humans think I am.  I know that bird's under that shiny silver stuff.  Who do they think they're dealing with....a dog?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Oh dear God, I can almost smell it through this glass...the 'bird of my dreams'...just one little swipe of my paw, that's all I ask."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Some Thanksgiving...yeah, thanks a lot...they barely left me scraps - humans!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a loving, warm and wonderful holiday everyone.  Love, Joy

Turkey and Stuffing and Gravy…Oh My

I can’t believe

Thanksgiving is almost here.  What happened to the last three months?  It seems like it was just August, and here we are ready to stuff the bird.  Everyone knows it’s just a blink or two after that and BANG….it’s Christmas!

 

The end of the year goes by so fast.  For me it’s always been a time of extreme excitement, joy and anticipation followed by total exhaustion and the crashing letdown of how quickly it all is over.  Even after all these years….I still feel the same way….”Wait, what, that’s it… we’re done?”  Of course at this stage of the game my heart and head may be speaking those words; but my body is perfectly content to throw in the towel and call it a day.  I have no delusions that they all will ever meet on the same playing field again.

 

 

My two kids that live nearby, Jenna and Joe…and I, will be having a very quiet Thanksgiving this year here at Casa Del Joya.  We’ve had quiet ones since their dad passed away exactly four years ago.  This time of year gets a little reflective for us all; including my other two girls, Julie and Jory… who live on opposite coasts of one another.  They will be celebrating their Thanksgivings with friends and some of their husbands’ family.

 

I wish for them…as I wish for all of my blogging friends and family.... a really warm and wonderful holiday with your loved ones.  May you all have lots of good food, lively conversation and many, many beautiful memory-making moments.   Love, Joy

 

 

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

Just a little Turkey Humor……

 

 

Things You Can Only Say at Thanksgiving….and get away with!

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.    Talk about a huge breast!

2. Tying the legs together keeps the inside moist.

3. It’s Cool Whip time!

4. If I don’t undo my pants, I’ll burst!

5. Whew, that’s one terrific spread!

6. Are you ready for seconds yet?

7. It’s a little dry, do you still want to eat it?

8. Just wait your turn, you’ll get some?

9. Don’t play with your meat.

10.   Just spread the legs open and stuff it in.

11.    Do you think you’ll be able to handle all these people at once?

12.   I didn’t expect everyone to come at once!

13.   How long will it take after you stick it in?

14.   You’ll know it’s ready when it pops up.

15.   That’s the biggest one I’ve ever seen.

16.   Wow, I didn’t think I could handle all of that!

 

In my next life, I’m gonna be a bear.

If you’re a bear, you get to hibernate.

 

You do nothing but sleep for six months.

I could deal with that.

 

Before you hibernate, you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid.

I could deal with that too.

 

If you’re a bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you’re sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute cubs.

I could definitely deal with that.

 

If you’re a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business.

You swat anyone who bothers your cubs.

If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too.

I could deal with that.

 

If you’re a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling.

He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

 

Yup….Gonna be a bear.

Hovel Sweet Hovel….an Update

Just when I was hoping to get through the rest of the year without spending anymore $$$ on home repairs and just go broke covering Christmas presents, my handyman informs me that I probably need to get the siding of my house over my sundeck replaced because some of it’s loose and the wood is rotting behind it causing rain to run down the flat roof on my sundeck to my chimney and drip down my newly repaired tile in our office; which could lead to a leaky roof again. OH JOY!  Nothing major yet has happened….but before the bad weather comes……blah, blah, blah……you know the rest.  Whoopdie Do!  Let’s see what my ‘guilt-free’ options could be……

 

So for the last two days…and counting….I have been working to the melodious tones of excruciatingly loud hammering and shouting….lots and lots of shouting. (Rich, my handyman is a little deaf and his son, Keith, has to shout across the roof to him; and he shouts back….I’m not sure why.  I’ts  like a comedy act.)  My computer room is literally right next to where they are working…only to be separated by the stairs going down to my living room.  I can hear every whack of the hammer and every loud shout going on.  It’s not so bad when I’m just working on the computer…I can tune most of it out; but it’s really amusing when I get a phone call.  Hey, I can deal with it for another day; which is what it will take to finish.  They’re doing a nice job; and they are really nice guys that always do their best and I feel are fair.  One thing I have always trusted all my life…married or single….is my feeling for people…my intuition; and Rich and his son are really good people.  Very hard-working, down-to-earth…’what-you-see is what-you-get.’

 

So, it looks like I’ll be adding a little more $$$ to the Homeowner’s Loan my husband and I took out a few years before he passed away….the one I’ve been trying to pay off…and not add any more to; but I guess that’s what it’s there for.  God knows I’m not about to go through any more leaky ceiling days.  Been there…and done that.  Thank You.  I'm sure the siding on the rest of the house won't look quite as nice as the new stuff by comparison; but you know...somehow I think I can live with that for now.  I think it's called 'priorities';  something I'm becoming quite good at...especially with this old house.   ~Joy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PET PEEVES THAT DOGS HAVE ABOUT HUMANS

'1'

Blaming your farts on me.....not funny... not funny at all !!! 

   

 

 

 

 

'2' 
Yelling at me for barking. I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG 

 

 

 

 

'3' 
Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out.  Exactly whose walk is this anyway? 

 

 

 

 

'4' 
Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose.  Stop it! 

 

 

 

 

'5' 
The sleight of hand, fake fetch throw. 
You fooled a dog!  Whoooo Hoooooooo what 
a proud moment for the top of the food chain. 

 

 

 

 

 

'6' 
Taking me to the vet for 'the big snip,' then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back! 

   

 

 

 

'7’ 
Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests.   Sorry, but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing yet.

 

 

 

 

 

'8' 
Dog sweaters.  Hello ??? 
Haven't you noticed the fur? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'9' 
How you act disgusted when I lick myself. 
Look, we both know the truth.  You're just jealous. 

 

 

 

 

 

Now lay off me on some of these things.  We both know who's boss here! 
You don't see me picking up your poop do you? 
EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY.  A DOG ALWAYS OFFERS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.  CATS HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT! 

Origami Art

I think everyone knows what Origami is…. the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. The goal of this art is to create a representation of an object using geometric folds and crease patterns preferably without the use of gluing or cutting the paper, and using only one piece of paper.  I posted some Origami art a while back in one of my posts.

Won Park is the master of Origami.  He is also called the "money folder,” a practitioner of origami whose canvas is the United States One Dollar Bill.
 
Bending, twisting, and folding, he creates life-like shapes in AMAZING detail. (Click on photo to enlarge)

One Dollar - Fish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Butterfly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Dollars - Battle Tank

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Dollars - Chinese Dragon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Crab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Dollars – Jacket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two Dollars – Spider

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Scorpion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Bat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar - Toilet Bowl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Penguin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Shark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One Dollar – Jet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Update....I have deleted the pictures of the renovated garbage truck after finding out through a friend of Won Park's that he does not live there.  Apparently it is some kind of rumor and those pictures are not where Won lives. One of those things that happens on the internet; but nothing I want to keep generating. Thank you Joseph for this information. I appreciate it.  ~Joy