Yes, Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus!

Some times life's little coincidences are beyond my understanding. Early last week, I was doing my periodic check of www.woot.com to see if they had something for sale I absolutely could not live without. There was an adorable little ( and I mean fit in your pocket little) camcorder that stored up to 30 minutes of video which could then be downloaded to your computer via a flip-up USB connector.

Hmmm . . . I know that I don't get much use of my bigger camcorder because although it is compact (mini-VHS), it is still pretty much a pain in the butt to use. The one at Woot would be so much lighter and more simple to use that I might just actually get some videos taken. One problem though, the user comments ran about 50/50 good and bad, and I'm wasn't sure I wanted to spend $70 for a reconditioned item. By the time I got to Laura and Tim's and asked Tim to check them out for me, Woot was SOLD OUT. 8^(

Okay, I guess the universe didn't think I needed one. But . . . I checked them out on-line. New ones run between about $100 - $200 depending on the model. Sigh. Rather expensive, especially since I am trying very, very hard not to overspend for Christmas. I have to remember that although gas prices are down now, they may not always be, and I do not see the stores lowering the prices of the things they increased when they had the excuse that it cost them more because of transportation costs. So, okay, I will be a good girl and not get one. If I want to take videos of my grandson, I am just going to have to drag out that old, clunky video recorder.

And here is the coincidence that I found to be so weird . . .

In Santa I must admit I believe! Here's hoping so do you, because I promise this story is true!

On Saturday afternoon as I cuddled down for nice little nap, what was all that noise and all that flap?

Not the prancing on my roof of dainty hooves of deer but rather the woof, woof of my dogs announcing someone was near.

Off the covers I tore and stumbled down the hall to the door.

Opening it carefully, what to my blurry eyes did appear? A FedEx truck driving away from here.

“What was that about?” I said to myself. I'm too cheap to use FedEx when acting for the Elf.

I spied then a box on my stoop, and pushing aside my wild doggy group, I reached down and got it before I forgot it.

Opening it like a delicious sugar-coated plum, I was surprised to see who it was from.

Honeyshed? Oh, that is right; I signed up for a contest one night.

To win whatever was found in my stash – something I'd filled out in a dash.

So opening the pack with scissors and care, I soon discovered my great Christmas fare.

For nestled inside was what I had needed although my defeat I'd already conceded.

A Mino Flip Video Shoot Camcorder - one I'd never had to order.

On Facebook, on YouTube, on MySpace you'll race. To see all the videos there I will place.

Now with a nod to Clement C. Moore, I will end this tale before I'm a bore.

So good night now, dear ones, and forget not to pause and write down your wishes for your own Santa Claus.

Happy Holidays to one and all! You are in my thoughts and prayers, and I am so glad to have you all in my life!!

So Happy It's Thursday!!! (Yes, that is S.H.I.T.)

I had a WONDERFULLY fun Wednesday. Returned Mr. Ray the guinea pig to his rightful home now that their move is complete. Left Karen with Larissa so I didn't have to hear about there being NO OTHER TEENS AT ALL at the Lawrence homeschool group while Kim, Alejandro, Isabella and I went to the community center. Two new moms, great conversation.

Picked up Karen and took her to look at frames for glasses in downtown Lawrence (was remarkably pleased and surprised when even Ms. Fashion Diva realised that $500 for a pair of glasses - BEFORE the "glass" was even added - was a ridiculous amount to pay). Stopped at Second Chance and found some cute clothes for Matthias for Christmas as well as a johnny jump-up to save this grandma's arms from his jumping bean tendencies. Got some of my favorite peppermint and oatmeal soap at The Merc as well as a couple of exquisitely yummy things from the deli.

Yes, I was exhausted when I got home. Yes, I had to get back up in half an hour to drive Karen to her voice lesson. Yes, I was probably overextending by following up with a visit to Laura's so she didn't have to get Matthias out in the cold. BUT STILL . . .

Pain and insomnia are not a pleasant way to spend a night. It seemed no matter what position I tried, I hurt. Additionally, I was being consulted periodically for choreography advice (since when am I Martha Graham??)

When I hurt, I want to eat. I did pretty well sticking to things on the approved list until about 4:00 am. Somehow all the turnips, corn, diet shakes in the world were just NOT going to provide the comfort I needed to work through the pain.

Three Dog Morning

Disclaimer - I thought I would be attempting to re-write "Three Dog Night" since it disappeared (or maybe misappeared as Laura used to say) somewhere last night. This morning when I signed on, there it is! Why or how it showed up is a mystery because when I did the 20 question meme AFTER I had written "Three Dog Night," it most definitely was NOT where it belonged. Did I use some word that the Blog Gods had to approve? Did I not seem serious when I pressed the PUBLISH POST button? Who knows?? I certainly do not.

The good news is that with a bit of forethought, I had a good night last night. First, I closed the gate into the kitchen, meaning the dogs could not gain access to the doggie door. So no 2:00 am barking outside. Second, I shooed everyone but Nellie out of my room and closed my door, gaining access to at least half (instead of a third or fourth) of my bed for myself. Finally, I inserted these wonderfully squishy, yellow pieces of foam into my ears so I could not hear Karen's iPod repeat endlessly her song of the night OR if the dogs decided to bark indoors.

When I awoke, I had a couple of anxious dogs meet me in the hallway. They ran with joy when I opened the gate so they could head outside to relieve their needs. A few minutes later, I had Sam and Gus join Nellie and me on the bed, happy and full of spunk. Hooray!

Three Dog Night

No matter how I look at it, I have too many dogs. I want to pretend I don't have too many, but the fact is that the four-footed critters currently outnumber the two-footed in this house, and it is this two-footed critter who is responsible for most of the care of the four-footed ones.

After much consideration, I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to dogs, two is the magic number. One gets lonely and bored (read PIP here. One gets too attached to his owner (read PIP again). One needs much attention to keep him happy (yep, PIP once more). At the other end of the spectrum, three dogs constitute a true pack. There must be squabbles to determine pack hierarchy. There must be discussions about who is getting the most treats. There must be marking of territory. And just for the record, Gus, my bed is NOT your territory.

Another problem discovered at about 2:00 am is that while two dogs will sleep peacefully throughout the night, when there are three, two of them decide to go outside and bark. Now if it were up to me, I could totally ignore the barking. However, I live in town now. I have neighbors who live closer than a mile away. They might not want to ignore the 2:00 am barking. Never mind that their little Chihuahuas bark all day long. In town, day time barking is okay.

The final straw, however, was my attempt at adding exercise to my weight loss program. Three dogs are DEFINITELY too many to try to walk at one time. They get tangled. One goes one way and two go the other. They wrap their leashes around my legs. I don't know how much exercise I got as I stumbled around trying to make it home in one piece.

So it is time for me to stop procrastinating and get serious about finding a home in the country for my extra dog. I don't want to do it. I am still hurting from the loss of my kitty cats without even having a chance to tell them good-bye. I want to find a place that is just perfect and where I can check up on Sam's well being.

Copy-cat 20 questions meme

Before I get too far: Just what the heck IS a meme?? I know I will be totally embarrased that I didn't know, but I don't, so just laugh quietly to yourself and tell me!

The rules:
A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blogs & replace any question that they dislike with a new question.
B) Tag 8 people to answer the questions. Only I'm not going to tag people. If you need fodder for you blog, go for it and leave me a comment.

1. How many songs are on your iPod?
I am not only too cheap to get myself an iPod, I find them most limiting. I have a small MP3 player that 1) accepts multiple formats of material on it and 2) uses AAA batteries so I can use rechargables and not worry that I won't have power when I need it. Now, as to what I have on it - NOT music. I use it to listen to books. The library has a multitude of downloadable books that may be listened to while walking, driving, working in the back yard, etc., etc. If I can't be actually reading a book, at least I can be listening!

2. What music would you want played at your funeral?
Well, given my two daughters, I don't think it really matters what I want to be played. They will choose music that pleases them. One the one hand, it hacks me off, but on the other, they are the ones who will be there needing comfort, so why not let them decide. I do like the sound of that "Rainbow Connection" as by Kermit. Since I would like to have my body composted (it CAN be done!), Kermit's "It's Not Easy Being Green" might also be good.

3. What magazines do you have subscriptions to?
Wow - way too many. Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Mother Earth News, Vegetarian Times, Home Education Magazine, Neurology Today, TV Guide Reader's Digest, The Week, Handy, American Baby Oprah, Real Simple to name the ones I can remember off the top of my head. I keep getting these things where I can get a year's subscription for $2.00 WHO CAN RESIST THAT?? I also have the same problem with getting Metropolitan Home even though I never subscribed.

4. What is your favorite scent?
It depends on the circumstances: Lilacs. REAL old fashioned roses. Puppy breath before they are weaned. A clean baby. A sexy man. Bread baking. The air after a thunderstorm.

5. If you had a million dollars that you could only spend on yourself, what would you do with it?
I would get a piece of land just a wee bit in the country and build a totally green house run on sunlight and wind power. I'd get all my animals back. I'd get a hybrid or electric car. I'd have my indoor exercise pool back.

6. What is your theme song?
"I am Woman" by Helen Reddy (does that date me??)

7. Do you trust easily?
Probably too easily. I tend to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and have had my share of disappointment when some have proven to be untrustworthy.

8. Do you generally think before you act, or act before you think?
I am an over-thinker. I play out a multitude of scenarios in my head before making a decision.

9. Is there anything that has made you unhappy these days?
I wish I could help my ex-husband. I wish I had a place for all of my animals. I wish I wasn't so fat or tired.

10. Do you have a good body-image?
If by good body image, you mean I have a realistic view of my body. I do. I realize it needs to be in much better shape than it currently is and have started working towards that goal. My plan is to be a lean and sexy 50 year old come next September.

11. Is being tagged fun?
Of course!

12. How do you spend your social networking (Facebook, etc.) time?
I look at pictures of my grandson that my daughter posts there. I accept invitations to the Thursday night community meals when I can attend. I have actually even caught up with a couple of old school mates.

13. What have you been seriously addicted to lately?
"Big Love" and "Weeds" - two very interesting TV shows. I also fell in love with "Dead Like Me" and was horribly disappointed to learn it was canceled after just two seasons.

14. What kind of person do you think the person who tagged you is? Original question.
I'll answer Frank's question: Why do people still believe in the supernatural? (lights just went on... Sandra must have come from the Frank branch of this meme because this was her question, too.)

I prefer the new question, too. Because the truth IS out there. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.


15. What’s the last song that got stuck in your head?
Only the ones that Karen plays on her iPod over and over and over again at night. Thankfully, I have figured out how to turn it off when it gets to be too much.

16. What’s your favorite item of clothing?
A big flannel night gown. Can't go wrong with that!

17. Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?
Ditto on the mixing with marshmallows and butter. I once had the recipe down to where I could make a small batch in a 2-cup measuring cup in the microwave and eat it while it was still warm. Yum!

18. What would you do if you saw $100 lying on the ground?
If no one was around that I thought it might belong to, I'd pick it up. Probably use it to pay for Chinese delivery and maybe a book or movie or two or three.

19. What items could you not go without during the day?
My water cup. I am thinking of having it surgically attached.

20. What should you be doing right now?
Getting to sleep! So signing off for now!

Day One

We all have to start somewhere. I thought about waiting for the usual "New Year's Resolutions" day of January first, but I decided I needed to get a jump start.

Somewhere between Psych 101 and Psychological Statistics (statistics don't lie; people do), I learned that it takes X number of days for a new habit to become fully established. Obviously, I should have been listening closer so I could remember what X stood for - but I think it is something like 14 days. By starting today, I am hopefully getting at least a bit closer to having my new good habits established by the first of 2009. If not, well, I can always blame it on the holidays, right??

My first goal is to LOSE the WEIGHT that I gained during the last horrific year of my marriage. Between blowing out my knee,* having my oldest get married, having my oldest announce she was pregnant, and the stress of my husband deciding it was time for his, hmmm . . . I believe FOURTH mid-life crisis, I ate and un-exercised myself to far too much me.

*I wish I had an exciting story to go along with the knee, but the truth of the matter is I was not skiing or deep-sea diving. I was walking across a rug when my foot decided to turn and my knee declined to follow it. The tear was just as painful but not as fun to talk about.

Now the knee has been repaired, the divorce is final, and my life is on as even a keel as it is likely to get in the foreseeable future. So it is TIME. Today I started my weight loss plan. Tomorrow I will add the exercise component (can't ask too much of myself in one day, for goodness' sake).

While I am at it, I also plan to clean up all the clutter in my house, rake and compost all the leaves in my yard, hand make Christmas presents for all of my family, and, oh, yeah, initiate world peace.

I wonder what tomorrow will bring!