Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve everyone!!!

The Evidence!

Here's just the quick and dirty of my gang at Christmas! I've covered their eyes to protect MY identity!! Ha! From left to right: Crazy Old Aunt (she's not really old at all, I just like to secretly call her that), her friend (almost practically hidden just over COA's shoulder), SIL, Bro, Mom's back. Next photo: SIL, niece. Last photo: well I've went ahead and labeled that one for you, and it is the only picture of me from the event (that's my brother's foot though)!


I was cleaning out my Mom's kitchen after she went to work today. I have to sneak in there and throw out all of the leftover pie, candy, ice cream, crackers, cake, potatoes, dressing, rolls, gravy, cheesecake, and cookies. Really just about everything except for the turkey, ham, and green beans. You see she is a BRITTLE diabetic. And she wouldn't be quite so BRITTLE if she didn't eat crap all of the time. I would surely find her in a diabetic coma (like I have more than a few times now) if I didn't do this, so please don't think that I am being a meanie! Anywho, back to the program....As I was going through the fridge, I found this bottle...

And let's not forget the back label...

I had heard my Aunt and SIL laughing that they had brought the same wine with them, but never paid much attention to what it was exactly (I was drinking my own concoction, of diet pepsi with a splash of coconut rum). I just couldn't help but laugh out loud when I saw this! We are a Top Rated Class Act Group I tell ya! And maybe you noticed (maybe you didn't) that yes, the bottle is now empty. It was actually not too bad!

The After Shock of Christmas!

Well, another holiday season down! I thought I would inject a little humor into the recall of my family holiday get together. That way I won't seem quite so snarky about the whole thing!

'Twas the Saturday after Christmas, and all through Mom's place

I was dreading the day, it was evident on my face.

The wind was gusting at sixty miles per hour,

I was thinking we'd have to cancel, if we lost all the power;

The noodles were boiling and the spuds they were too,

While visions of flood warnings danced on the tube;

With Mom in the front room, and me in the back,

I told her to call my brother, to keep this day on track,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away blew the trash can, it was gone like a flash,

It tore through the neighbors patio and landed with a smash.

The dog started barking at a ruckus in the street,

Three family members had arrived, so I ran around to greet,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

Was my Aunt toting gifts, even though we said "none" this year.

I took my time, I moved nice and slow,

She had brought one of her friends, and my niece was in tow.

More rapid than snails they walked in the door,

I gave a "hello", and went back to my chore;

they said "Merry Christmas, Here is more food"

"What time will your bro be here with the rest of his brood?"

"No one can tell, I prepared this food to be done at four,

So fill up your plates, or I'll chuck it out the door!"

And only twenty minutes late, through the door they did shove,

It had to be a miracle, straight from above!

We sat around and ate, and chatted it up,

Then I brewed up some java, and we all had a cup.

Soon it was time to open the loot,

Everyone had something that was small and quite cute.

We sat and watched the news, that's as exciting as we get,

Then we watched a slide show of Grandma, so we wouldn't forget.

She always loved Christmas, and without her it's not comparable,

When she looks down us now, it's probably unbearable!

Our eyes -- they grew heavy, it was time to end this night,

So I packed up the leftovers, in containers real tight.

"Who wanted this" and "What with that should I do",

"Someone pick up the trash"...and then right on cue;

"This holidays done, Christmas cheer...I just can't",

"I'm leaving right now" said my grumpy old Aunt!

With a quick little hug to each and every one,

Into the night she went, she'd had enough of the fun.

I looked at my brother, he was rolling his eyes,

And I laughed when I saw him, to me this was no surprise!

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

I knew right away, he wanted to get home to bed;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

Loading the car; then turned with a jerk,

"Sydney get going, the roads could be bad',

And giving a nod, she hugged dear old Dad;

He sprang back to the house, to his wife gave a whistle,

And towards the front door they flew, fast as a missile!

But I heard him exclaim, as he walked through the yard,

"Cass I'll call you tomorrow, Cheryl get in the car!"

Oh well...

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I spent the day making spaghetti, eating chocolate, and watching a "Rocky" marathon on TV! My small dysfunctional group gathers Saturday at the stroke of 1600. So far, it looks like it's going to be Christmas business as usual! My Mother became suddenly ill today, until I had her entire house scrubbed from top to bottom, and had the dog bathed. All of sudden she felt well enough to eat a huge plate of "garbage nachos" complete with jalapenos, and a quick trip to the store for about 4 dozen cookies. Now, I'm no fool... I invented this in middle school! My parents actually thought I had some kind of serious stomach problem, because I was always "sick" until the dishes were done after dinner. Oh well.

Then there was my brother. The conversation went a little something like this:

Brother: My shoulder hurts.
Me: Yep, you should have come over yesterday to let me sling it for you. You've hurt your rotator cuff.
Brother: I have it wrapped with a wire.
Me: What time is your Doctors appointment?
Brother: It feels better today.
Me: You're talking $25, and maybe an hour of your time....go to the doctor.
Brother: It costs me $1,000 every time I go to the Doctor and I have good insurance.
Me: Well, you should look into that, it doesn't sound right to me...go to the doctor.
Brother: Aren't we doing something at Mom's tomorrow?
Me: Yes, what time will you be there?
Brother: I'll talk to Mrs. Brother, I'll call you tomorrow.

Most people have a standard "goodbye" or "talk to ya later" or "take care" valediction. Not my brother! Whether he is on the phone or in person, his standard valediction is "I'll call you tomorrow". He Never Calls Tomorrow! Oh well.

Then it was on to my Aunt. Her truck was parked on the street outside of Mom's house. I called her because I was worried that someone would not see it and run into the back of it due to the fog. She asked if I could run it out to her house, and then she would drive me home. Sure thing. On the ride back, our conversation went a little something like this:

Aunt: How's your Mom feeling.
Cassie: She doesn't feel well today.
Aunt: We don't have to do this tomorrow.
Cassie: Fine with me, Mom's the only one it matters to anyway.
Aunt: I hate Christmas, and I want nothing to do with it.
Cassie: I don't know why we drag out the Christmas Torture every year.
Aunt: Don't expect much from me, I went to a couple...I just don't....See ya tomorrow.
Cassie: See ya tomorrow.

This is pretty normal. My Aunt must hold the world record for the fastest "getting in the Christmas Spirit and then zooming back out of it"! She called on Christmas morning and was putting up her tree, and having our traditional Christmas Eve hors d'oeuvre's (that we had when Grandma hosted Christmas). Today...Bam...Scrooge! Oh well.

Then there are the supporting characters in the whole drama. My sister in law...she's pretty much the only "normal" one of the bunch (and by normal I mean she is like me...ha-ha) with a slight problem of asking me about my brother's ex-wife nonstop. And my nieces...who probably won't show up since we made it perfectly clear at Thanksgiving that we weren't doing a big gift exchange this year. Oh well. It's the way we do Christmas, and 24 hours from now, it will be DONE!

On to the job interview! I went for the second one today, and I have to admit....it was weird just like the first one. My first and second interview were with two different people, and neither of them asked me a single question! They did however both make the standard statements "you don't have children" and "you're not married", and waited for me to acknowledge that. They both talked the whole time, while I tried to squeeze in bits of information about myself and how my experience could be beneficial in this position. It's just the strangest thing! She told me at the end of the interview that they would either be calling me back the first week in January to schedule a third interview (WHAT!), or they would call me with their decision. She told me that I was near the top of the list due to my customer service experience. So waiting....again.....Oh well!

Angel Friend!

The challenge over at Cinema Saturday this week was to create art (card, scrapbook page, or altered art) using the movie "It's A Wonderful Life" as the inspiration. It can be inspired by anything from the movie (theme, title, characters, movie jacket, etc). I just could not bring myself to do another Christmas card, I think I'm done with that theme for just a while! I chose to use the relationship between George Bailey and Clarence the Angel. I also used the colors from the movie jacket. It's pretty simple because I had to kind of hurry to get this in for the week! Thanks for having a look, and I hope that everyone is having a wonderful Holiday!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is full of shiny things

That sparkle, gleam and glow;
These holiday pleasures dazzle us,
And yet, deep down, we know... That Christmas has its special gifts,
But our year-round joy depends
On the cherished people in our lives,
Our family and our friends.
by Joanna Fuchs

A Different Christmas Poem
author unkown
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight..
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child..

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts...

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat..
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."


Please remember our troops of past and present in you Holiday Blessings.

Grinch....Who Me?

I am quite upset with myself that I didn't order this in time to wear during my families Christmas dinner day! Next year it is ON! And when I get it, I'm going to Be-Dazzle it! My family isn't having our Christmas get together until the Saturday after Christmas! (insert sarcasm here) Oh happy, joy, joy! So, like Thanksgiving day, I will have Christmas day all to myself again! I called to see if the community dinner that is held, needs any volunteer drivers (to pick people up that don't have a ride) and they have enough. Can you believe it? "Sorry, we can't accept your offer to help out, we have enough volunteers already". Whaaaaat....can you ever have enough volunteers? Oh well, I tried!



Now, on to other bloggy things! Be sure and check out my post on giveaways! I have updated it ALOT over the last few days. You can't win, if you don't play! I always feel kind of weird signing up for giveaways if I am new to a blog. But besides being so completely kind and generous, isn't it kind of a bloggers way to make new friends, and attract new readers? What do you guys think?

I have been a complete slug today. I have not gotten one single productive thing done! I am off now to do up some dishes, and start supper. There is a movie on at 6pm that I was really excited about seeing, and I can't for the life of me remember what it is! Oh well, it's gonna be good I bet! I'm sure it is a Christmas movie. And I'll leave you with this last little moment from my day. I was out on the porch waiting for the dog to get down to business. I took these pictures of the door. It was all frosted over, but there was one thing that stood out! It looks like the shape of a bell! Now, I'm not someone who sees images in their oatmeal or anything, but you judge for yourself! I had been leaning against the door, which I'm sure caused the frost to melt.


So, am I seeing things? I hope that everyones weekend went very well! Have a good week!

Just A Few Fun Christmas Things

The Legend of Robin Redbreast

From 'A Christmas Stocking' by Louise Betts Egan

On that first Christmas, it is said, the night was wrapped in a bitter chill. The small fire in the stable was nearly out, and the Mother Mary worried that her baby would be cold. she turned to the animals about her and asked them for help.

"Could you blow on the embers," she asked the ox, "so the fire might continue to keep my son warm?"

But the ox lay sound asleep on the stable floor and did not hear her. Next, Mary asked the donkey to breathe life back into the fire, but the sleeping donkey did not hear Mary either. Nor did the horse or sheep. She wondered what to do.

Suddenly, Mary heard a fluttering of little wings. Looking up, she saw a plain, brown-coloured little robin fly into the stall. This robin had heard Mary calling to the animals and had come to help her himself. he went over to the dying fire and flapped his wings hard.

His wings were like little bellows, huffing and puffing air onto the embers, until they glowed bright red again. He continued to fan the fire, singing all the while, until the ashes began to kindle.

With his beak, the robin picked up some fresh, dry sticks and tossed them into the fire. As he did, a flame suddenly burst forth and burned the little bird's breast a bright red. But the robin simply continued to fan the fire until it crackled brightly and warmed the entire stable. The Baby Jesus slept happily.

Mary thanked and praised the robin for all he had done. She looked tenderly at his red breast, burned by the flame, and said "From now on, let your red breast be a blessed reminder of your noble deed."

And to this day, the robin's red breast covers his humble heart.

Here is a pretty awesome holiday tune. I like this kind of music when I'm preparing Christmas dinner.

And if I ever wanted to be a dog, I think I would want to be this one!

Oh Christmas Tree...

Some of you may remember that my camera quit working on Thanksgiving. Well.....it's fixed! For now! Who fixed it you ask...me! I fixed it the same way that I fix my computer, VCR, DVD player, toaster, printer....I remove all of the screws, jiggle any parts that I can get my fingers on, blow REALLY hard on it, put it back together, then put it back together again (using all of the bits and pieces that were originally on it), and hit the reset button if there is one! It works occasionally, and it did this time!

So, over at Tip Junkie they are having a Christmas Tree Contest. Now, I did not put up a tree this year. There you have it. I did however sneak my tree over to Mom's and put it up while she was at work. She has a very small house, and her artificial tree is absolutely gigantic! I have an artificial pencil tree, so I plopped it up onto her end table so that it wouldn't take up any floor space. I dug and dug in the basement until I found a couple of boxes of her decorations, and used them on it. So here it is. Next year I will most likely do my regular decorations!

The tree with camera flash and without camera flash. The Angel on top is WAY too big for my skinny little tree, but Mom always wants an Angel, so I used hers.

Her nurse ornaments that I used (she's a nurse).

This is her old world Santa.

This is her Scherenschnitte Angel that she made many years ago. When she moved to California I stored it for her. She didn't want it to get ruined. I had never gotten around to giving it back to her (oops!) when she moved back. I snuck it back into her house, and thank goodness I didn't destroy it while I had it all of those years! It took her 2 days to find it!

This is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. Since I wasn't doing much in the decorating department, I brought it over to Mom's.

I hope that everyones week is going great! It is icy and cold here! I'm hoping for a thaw out this weekend.