2009 Retrospective (Yes, it includes Hobbes)

This has been a good year!

It was a year full of achievements by all: Joe started a great new job, my own job blossomed, Em was Valedictorian of her class, and Colin got accepted into two great colleges with scholarships included.

Hobbes entertained us all, while Grace made faces and showed her disdain for all things orange and stripey.

The pond kept us all peaceful and calm, and while some pond pallies passed on, many new ones came to sustain the life that is the waters of our yard. There is beauty in those back 40 (feet)--it's just a matter of blocking out Weirdville and focusing on the small miracles that is life on this good green Earth.

I've made some fabulous blog friends this year and even met up with a few along the way. The kinship of bloggers has absolutely blown me away, amazing me with wonderful crafts, talents, and gifts beyond measure. My life has been blessed by the goodness of you all and I thank you.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year and a blessed, safe, and joyful 2010.

The Dead List

What year end post or recap doesn't have a Dead List? We here at the Duck and Wheel are no exception as we need to acknowledge and remember the family members that have passed on to the great beyond in 2009.

It was a relatively quiet year, thank goodness, and no cats died, which is a freaking miracle around this place. But with the pond, death always seems imminent, unfortunately, and it happens all too often with fish and frogs. It's just something you get used to and you quit naming them after awhile.

Aloysia (Orange fish right above the lily pad) - Summer 2009

This summer, we lost both Sharkbait and Aloysia. The best of friends and parents to our current fish brood, Sharkbait and Aloysia went in death as they hung out in life--together. Fish are very difficult to fix once they are sick, and Aloysia was ill for a long time. I am really sad to have lost them both, but I find comfort knowing that they are together, floating in the warm waters of that big pond in the sky.

Sharkbait - Summer 2009

These two goofs hopped off within a day of each other, looking for food and perhaps a better life somewhere else. I never did find them so I'm guessing they either ended up like Flat Stanley or living the life of Riley in some creek somewhere. Being that they'd have to pull a major Frogger win to cross a few streets to get to the creek, I'm thinking the outcome probably wasn't good.

R.I.P. not-so-smart frogs. You two cracked me up. - Spring 2009

We fondly remember those pallies who traveled to the warm waters beneath the Rainbow Bridge and will miss them in the coming summer. (Commence sniffling and gentle weeping now.)

Godspeed, little buddies.

Thoughts on a Winter's Day

My hobo buddy, Petula, ran this meme a few weeks ago. I liked it because it was a tad "deeper" than most memes and it requires some actual thought to answer. I think heading into the New Year and leaving the old is just the perfect time to reflect on this one, so feel free to steal this bad boy for your own year end reflection.

I am ......

saying no to:

things I don't want to do, drama, people who drain me negatively, bad vibes, hypocrites

saying yes to:

people who make me laugh, anything that involves my kids, eating healthy, peace

giddy about:

Hobbes, my Cumberland Falls family, college approaching for my kids, Marching Band, my pond

deeply inspired by:

my fellow bloggers, creative folks, the beauty of this earth, honest-to-goodness good people

obsessed with:

The Duck and Wheel with String, photography, beating this damn GERD, my family, writing

in love with:

Joe, the kids, life (when it is good), Cumberland Falls

scared of:

Something happening to the Joe, the kids, or me, failure, spiders

haunted by:

Stupid things I have done or said, bad decisions

saved by:

my ability to say everything I want to say at the moment, my writing, I am not afraid of confrontation


I'll be curious to see what you write.

Scenes from a frozen Weirdville

For those of you in warm places, dreaming of a cool tropical drink and some air conditioning, I send you images of living in a snow globe. The world was covered with ice on Christmas Eve, a combination dream world/nightmare depending on whether or not you had to travel somewhere.

Walking--not so easy, but clomping around the yard in boots to take photos of our personal frozen Varykino was magical.




And the best part? Not one wacky neighbor in sight.

Nanook of the North

Christmas Eve found Chicago under a thick coat of ice. Oh, it was lovely. There were icicles hanging from every peak, branch, and leaf. It was winter perfection, straight out of a scene from Dr. Zhivago--that is unless you had to drive somewhere, which we didn't. So, we just enjoyed the beauty of a frozen world, admiring the work of Jack Frost or Suzy Snowflake or whoever else was working that day.

Hobbes continues his brave quest of chasing birdies each day, going out in rain, sleet, snow, or ice. And he loves nothing better if someone comes out with him to play in the yard. So that I did. Hobbes, me, and the camera went out to crunch around in the yard for a bit. Me crunching a bit more than he, but we crunched--a lot.

We roamed every inch of the back forty (feet, not acres), admiring a frozen this or a frozen that. The grasses offered tiny frozen raindrops, while the hydrangea blossom dripped frozen icicles off its snow-covered head. The tree looked like a giant bark-flavored Popsicle, while the lawn now resembled a skating rink. The waterfall by the pond looked sadly still, and the pond itself was heavy with ice.

Hobbes and I found wonder in the stillness and laughter in our inability to stay upright. Me from the ice, he from the sheer joy in having someone in the yard with him--he just has to roll over in the snow with glee.

There is just something about that cat that makes me laugh. He never fails to make me slow down just a bit to scratch an orange head or just watch him chase snowflakes falling from the sky. It's a good message he sends: Slow down, just a bit--there is wonder and joy in this big world. Even if it is frozen.

Holiday Hangover

I'm in recovery mode, pallies. I've spent too much money, wrapped too many presents, ate too much food, and visited......well, I haven't visited enough with those I want to just yet.

Still on the schedule remains George (my neighbor with cancer who can't leave the house), some dear friends, some friends from the old 'hood, The Donahue Botanical Gardens (where we play the $100,000 Pyramid), and still more friends. Sheesh, there doesn't seem to be enough days off to see everyone we want to.

That's what I love about that week between Christmas and New Year's--all the going from house to house, laughing and visiting with everyone we hold dear. Why is it that we don't make the time the rest of the year? Seems odd, doesn't it? What is it about the holidays that we just have to be with the folks we love most?

Aw, who cares? I'm glad that we do it--whatever the reason. What a lovely time Christmas is--to remind us to contact those we love and to make that extra effort to see each other.

Gotta run--there's a party somewhere I gotta be. Hope you are doing the same, enjoying your time off and seeing those you love.

Hobbes is recovering from having all those visitors over at the house. He's got a permanent "crinkle ear" and a bit of a cranky attitude over all that fussing over him. He's more of a family guy and not much of a socializer. Funny, isn't it, for how popular he is here??!

Yeah, What Linus Said

That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. No truer words were ever spoken--by cartoon character or otherwise.

From the Kautz house--Joe, Lin, Colin, Emma, Grace and Hobbes, we wish you the merriest of Christmases. Peace and love to you all.

I-love-Cranky-The-Elf Thursday

I was thinking how nice it would be to take a sweet photo of Hobbes and I to post on the blog for Christmas well-wishes. Yeah, and people in Hell want ice water too.

Seems like Cranky The Elf and his sister, Crabby, weren't having any part of a sweet holiday photo. As I gathered the two of them under the tree (cat treats hidden behind my back), the two of them decided to start World War III. Love them. It would have been easier to get a photo of me with the two teens smiling than to get those cats to stand anywhere near each other. Sigh. I am officially jealous of Daisy and Harley and the gang over at Beaded Tail.

I'm not sure if it was the antlers that we put on his head or the fact that it is sleeting out and he can't go outside, but Hobbes is very cranky today. You can tell he's mad by his "crinkle ear"--when he lays either one or both ears flat like the Yoda. I was lucky to escape imminent death here, as right after this was taken, the ears went flat and he went running. Sheesh. So much for holiday cheer.

And Grace? She would have NO part of this.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Santa and his "helper"

I'm just going on the record saying that Joe ordered Santa and his "helper" from the train catalog. Who knew they can make cleavage that tiny?

"Yes. Yes. Can you reach that package waaayyyy at the bottom of the sack for me??"

G'ma Phyl suggested that I show you how tiny these figures truly are. Unless you are a model train aficionado, you probably don't realize that Santa is smaller than a quarter and the reindeer smaller than a dime. I mean it literally when I say it's the "little" things in life that amuse me so.

Oops, my slip is showing under my dog dress!

I stopped at the bank yesterday while I was running about 4000 errands. I dread this particular branch because they are extremely slllooooooow and it drives me crazy. I have been known to just drive out of the drive-thru out of sheer lack of patience with their inability to process a transaction in anything less than an hour and a half, and make them mail the receipt to my house. I'm not kidding when I say that I really do that.

Yesterday was no exception and we waited. And waited. And waited.

And then, finally, I received acknowledgment. "Hello" was the friendly greeting, telling me that they just now got my paperwork. Ugh.

Colin and I chatted and we sang some Christmas songs. We watched the tire store guys move some cars around next door and then we waited some more. We discussed rocket science and solved the world's peace problems and then.....we waited even more.

Then I heard a voice crackling through the speaker, "Uh, can I help you with anything else?" the teller asks before she sends back the tube.

"NO! You are too slow!" I'm taking out my frustration on the little microphone.

"Pardon me?" it says to me meekly. "Can I help you with something else?" it says again.

"NO!" I'm literally screaming at it now. "YOU ARE TOO SLOW AND I HAVE TO LEAVE NOW!" I'm yelling to the little microphone and teeny camera.

"Well, " she says all huffy, "then have a LOVELY DAY!"

"THANK YOU!" I'm still yelling, "AND YOU TOO!"

And then I grab my receipt from the little space portal that is drive-thru banking and I speed out of the parking lot. Gees, I hate that bank.

I went back home and stuck my head under the tree where things are wacky, but at least they are happening -- or at least appear to be happening.


Putting safety first is always a good idea when you build a school right next to the tracks.


Earthquake!

I love the south where everyone waves at you as you drive by. Mmmm, Schlitz!


Man on the silver crapper. Well, that's what it looks like anyway.

Why do I find this so humorous?

Weinerville Junction

Okay, you asked and I deliver.

Below are some scenes from below the tree--the village that has somewhat been spared by Hobbes and Grace. I think the train and it's noisy whizzing sound freaks the two of them out, which is a blessing for the wee plastic folk who have spent the better part of their lives inside a box in the attic. Thank you, blog pallies, for freeing them this year! It is by sheer public demand that we actually put out all of the people and the animals for the first time in a very long time.

We pull into the station----look out for the drunk hitchhiker!

"Hey, Sailor, you come to this bank often?"

"Honey, let's dress all in blue and hang out by the theater that plays wayyy outdated movies, okay?" (Check out the Salvadore Dali lampposts)

"King me!"

Santa's herd.

My personal favorite--The Pope hanging with the hooker at the KFC!
This is my life--I have way too much fun with little teeny tiny people. It's either I have lost my mind or I'm really lacking in the entertainment department. I haven't even shown you Santa and his babe yet.

Guest Post Today!

While I'm off finishing the shopping, wrapping, balancing of the checkbook, eating Christmas cookies faster than Joe makes them, and shooing the kitties away from the tree, the Dalai Lama is doing a guest post for me. Gotta love that guy--he's working the holiday.

"I pray for a more friendly, more caring, and more understanding human family on this planet. To all who dislike suffering, who cherish lasting happiness, this is my heartfelt appeal." --Dalai Lama

Yeah, I'm with ya, pally.

Peace my friends. Enjoy your day today. May you find time to blob on the couch and snuggle with a loved one. May your weary head rest, knowing that you are either ready for Christmas or too tired to care. Look for a holiday favorite on TV and take the time to enjoy it. Turn off the computer and go stare at the beauty of the tree. Breathe, pallies. Just breathe.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.....

There actually is a method to the madness that is our tree decorating. I mean, don't we all have a "way" that we decorate it each year? C'mon, admit it--you are quirky about this too.

Lights go up--tucked deep into the tree and worked around from top to bottom. We then all stand back and squint at the tree, looking for that "dark" spot. God help us all if one strand decides not to work after being applied to the tree. There is typically a lot of cursing of "Italian" lights--you know, those little ones that if one goes out, the whole freaking strand does not work. Ugh. I hate those darned things.

Ornaments are next. Icky, cheap, or just plain ones go on first--deep into the recesses of the tree and low, so that if the cats break them we don't care. All plastic ornaments are on low and within cat reach as well. Let's leave the good ones up high.

Next are the fun ones--the ones for each year of my and the kids' lives --Joe's mom didn't do that for her 5 kids. Tsk, tsk. Everyone has handfuls of ornaments to put up, which is contrary to my mother's one-at-a-time-even-if-it-takes-us-3-years-to-decorate-the-tree method. We oooh and ahhh at our favorite ornaments and admire the really cool ones. Joe makes a lame attempt at trying to stump me at what year each ornament represents--he rarely succeeds. He forgets, this is my life.

Last, and this is where we lose the kids, is the garland. Some crinkly unwrapped raffia goes round and round the tree to finish it off. I miss the old tinsel of days of yore, but I hate cleaning that stuff up. And it gets into the train tracks and shorts out the whole freaking train, which is a buzzkill at Christmas.

The kids reappear later when it is time to set up the train and village. Last year we didn't put up the village with Hobbes the Monster Kitten being new and all. I don't believe in setting the little guy up for failure, so just the train came out, much to the chagrin of two unhappy children. This year, everyone is happy again just at the thought of the whole thing being back again. I'm really hoping that Hobbeszilla doesn't destroy our humble village like some Japanese horror flick.

The village was compiled over years of free time and money by Joe and I. We would spend our winters building and hand-painting tiny HO train buildings, people, and accessories as a hobby. I'm not sure how much money is tied into that bad boy, but I can tell you it is priceless for the amount of hours that went into it all. There are tiny gas stations and farm animals, a Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a pope figurine. There is a used car lot and a hooker with silver capris. There is even a movie theater and a schoolyard with playground equipment. It's all very cool, so I'm hoping against hope that it survives 47 lbs of orange stripey curiosity.

So, while I'm away from the blog world today, know that the tree is finally becoming a "Christmas" tree. Hooray! And while we sit and admire the tree, know that the kitties are doing their best to get under it and drink the water in spite of all the above-mentioned "obstacles".

It's sneaking up on me

Happy Friday, pallies!

We are officially into finals week here at the Kautz house. Em's studying her brains off, Colin is chilling--which doesn't seem quite fair, but that's what you get when you are a Senior. If you meet the criteria (high ACT score, gpa, and I don't know what else), Seniors may opt out of finals. Yeah, hello??! Who the hell wouldn't do that??! Em is not happy about this situation.

The Christmas concert was lovely and I didn't even cry even though I felt like it. They combine the choir and the band to sing a few numbers, which sounds easy enough, but I can tell you it isn't. It takes much collaboration on each director's parts to pull it off and sound as great as it did--it amazes me every year. Colin was part of an assemble and Em had a solo--gees, I actually had a reprieve from wanting to kill those two for a couple of hours last night. What a great feeling.

Hey, we might even decorate the tree on Saturday. The social calendar is finally free and I think it might finally get done. Whew! Just in time for Santa to come.

CRAP! Christmas is next week and I'm nowhere near ready!! Arrggghh!

Okay, here is your weekend fun. Go here and type in your favorite Christmas songs for a chuckle. This had me in stitches today, hope it does you too. Here's a tip: Jingle Bell Rock--it's a good one.

Hope you have a good weekend, pallies. May you finish your shopping, send out those last cards and packages, and actually have a moment to sit by the fire (or air conditioner, Casey) and breathe a bit. Go eat some of those Christmas cookies and tune in a holiday flick or two. In other words, try to enjoy the season. I'm sure going to.

I-love-Hobbes Thursday

Criminy, I almost forgot today is I-Love-Hobbes Thursday! Thanks, Helene, for the reminder. So, I have TWO posts for today--it's like "bonus" day. Or a double whammy, depending on how you look at it.

Here is your Stripey Goodness for this week. Look, you can hardly see him when he crouches down like this in the yard, eh?


Keep scrolling, there is more......

Oh, the Old Lady.......

Okay, enough crabbiness! I'm moving on to some happiness and taking you all with me.

You have all behaved nicely this week, so I will treat you to another Chicago childhood favorite--Hard Rock, Coco, and Joe. Sit back, eat your oatmeal, and enjoy.

Pigeon Hobos

I looked out the window yesterday morning and saw something in the middle of the street in front of our house. At first glance, it looked like a large gym shoe, but I looked again, and it appeared to be a duck. Typical Gladys Kravitz move, I opened the blinds a bit wider and that's when I realized it WAS a duck--sitting in the middle of the street.

I went out and walked toward the Mallard, talking to it, saying "Uh, Duck, you're gonna get smushed". The poor thing hobbled up and I realized it's wing was broken--not a good sign.

My duck pally didn't quite understand that I would help it and it kept waddling away from me. Oh darn, if only they could understand that I could help. As I kept trying to get closer, the poor thing was stressing and trying to get under a fence, so I knew to leave it alone. It wasn't going to make it with a broken wing, but there was nothing I could do--and I had to get to work. That stupid duck made me sad all day.

I should have taken the duck as a sign--go back to bed, forget today, pack your knapsack and run away to live like a hobo. The day didn't get much better.

Colin had his gym locker broken into yesterday. He had his wallet, phone, and I-Touch stolen. I didn't mind the wallet and phone as much, it was the I-Touch that was the kicker. It was agreed on purchase, that the I-Touch would never, EVER, go to school. Yeah. Gone.

Under the tree sits a brand new IPod that I bought to replace his beat up one that he used at school rather than bring the ITouch. I reluctantly agreed to spending frivolously on it because I knew he was good about keeping the I-Touch at home. Yeah, that's what I thought. Sucker.

It's gonna be a tough Christmas when the new IPod ain't coming out on Christmas morn as planned and the new IHome Grandma bought him is gonna sit quiet. Gees, how awkward it's gonna be when the neighbor gives him that ITunes gift card--it's gonna ISuck big time.

Tough day on the home front, I'm hoping today is better.

In the meantime, I'm gonna chuckle at the memory of the pigeon hobos we spotted downtown on Sunday. Hanging out by an eternal flame, these guys were preening and keeping warm, making everyone chuckle at the mere sight of them.

Pigeon Hobos = 1, Bad Guys and Broken Ducks = 0.

Moving towards Christmas at a snail's pace

Ooooh, there's lots of things happening in these parts these days, as I'm sure there are by you too. Busy days, eh?

Here's my Tuesday list of randomness:

1. Went to The Nutcracker Saturday night for some lovely ballet and even lovelier music provided by the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. Have I mentioned Dream Kid totally rocked it out on the flute? Sheesh, I love that darned Ted. He's not only talented but a great young man. He searched the crowd for us at intermission to just come by to say "hello" and to thank us for coming. Sigh. He is definitely my favorite child--don't tell Em. Even Grandma Phyl adopted him as her new favorite grandchild. Who cares that he isn't related--we just wish he was.
2. My poor workmate Irene has been through the wringer lately. She is going through the madness that is buying her first home--fighting lenders, jumping through endless loops, negotiating and filling out forms for months, and finally closed on Thursday. She went to the house on Sunday to see if the lock box was taken off yet so that she could get possession and found the door wide open. As she slowly opened the door, she saw why someone left--the sound of rushing water greeted her and she found the basement with literally 2 feet of standing water. I'm really hoping she isn't held to the contract. Irene isn't so fun these days. Poor pally.
3. Hey, the tree is in! Okay, so it's not decorated. Don't rush me.
4. Christmas concert with the choir is on for Wednesday night. Man, I love singing the Hallelujah Chorus. It's the only time I can get away at singing at the band concert without embarrassing my kids.
5. Uh, has anyone seen my money? I used to have some--you know, before the holidays.
   
6. Can you die from GERD? I'm thinking I just might if they don't figure out some meds that I can take soon. Now I have a closed throat, an endless headache, AND a wicked stomachache. I told the kids that I want some Christmas Shoes for Christmas the other day.
   
7. Oooh, there was an accident right in front of me yesterday morning on the way to work. That starts the day off right--not.
   
8. Don't you love getting Christmas cards in the mail? I do. Why don't we send each other mail the rest of the year--it just so darned much fun.
9. I've learned that sitting on the visitor's side of the gymnasium for basketball games really gets the home team mad. But, the seats are dead center and there is lots of room! And you can see the band really well! It's also very hard to convince everyone that we really aren't confused, just big basketball fans.
10. Christmas is coming and I'm still not ready.

Will beg for Frango Mints

We went into the city yesterday for a little holiday excursion to see the lights and hob-knob with the Michigan Avenue crowd. I didn't bring the good camera because I didn't want to appear too much of a tourist, so the little dinky one with "okay" photos will have to do. It was the content I was concerned about, not necessarily the right f-stop and shutter speed. Oh, and I wanted to save my arms for packages and such, not the camera bag.

As we walked for blocks, I was amazed at the turnout of the beggars and bums for the holiday season. I can't even count the amount of sad sacks standing in doorways and on street corners begging for coin....... or more. We had more "God Bless"'s on us than a month's worth of sermons at the church and we weren't even giving.

The sheer amount of beggars was staggering and after awhile we stopped noticing them, walking by, ignoring this plea or that. It sounds hard-hearted, but you just don't know who is really in need and who is "working it" for the coin. Joe witnesses one particular beggar riding the train with him each day to go work the city streets for donations. When you hear that, you heart tends to harden a bit and you become a tad cynical. I make it a rule that we just don't give to anyone on a street corner or alleyway.

As we walked through the crowds, we kept talking, heading off to a warmer destination of an indoor mall or store. One particular sign cracked Em and I up when we pulled the door to Nordstrom. "I'm just hungry" read her sign. Hmmmm. Now that was odd--she wasn't cold, tired, broke, or looking for shelter. She was just hungry.

Another girlie stepped directly in front of us and confronted us for $1.75. Not $2. Not $1. Nope, $1.75. How she came to that dollar amount made me wonder--was $2 too much and $1 too cheap? Folks are getting creative out there in the begging world. It seems everyone's got a bit.

We had a nice day enjoying the lights and the greenery that Chicago spends way too much on, and seeing the holiday shoppers. I grabbed a few needed items, we saw the lame windows at Macy's, and the giant tree from Marshall Field's days of yore. It was a nice day for being outside--not to cold, but brisk enough to bundle up. Time flew by and soon it was time to go meet Colin after the show he was seeing.

As we sat outside the theater under the marquee, the three of us opened a package of Frango mints and munched away on expensive minty goodness. We looked like 3 bums ourselves, with hats and gloves on, swinging our feet on the bench just outside the doorway to the theater.

"Gees, we look like bums" I said the Joe and Em.

"Yeah, bums with expensive taste" Em says.

"I wonder if we can start hitting folks up for cash," I start thinking, "and our bit is that we need money for Frango mints."

"Yeah!" Em joins in. She's good for that. This is the one time this month that we agree on something.

"Please, sir. We just need $1.75 for more Frango mints. That's all we need, nothing else. Just Frango mints." I'm doing a cross between Oliver and Julie Andrews--if she were a bum. Em starts chiming in with her own "Please, sir"'s and we are giggling. Somehow, Joe doesn't think we are funny.

Folks walked by, but nobody even looked in our direction, thank goodness. Colin came out all too soon and our gig as Frango mint panhandlers was over.

I guess I shouldn't complain about having a job to go to this morning or having to be at a toasty office to pound away at the computer. This begging stuff isn't for amateurs and it certainly is tough work.

And folks don't want to give for food or a hot cup of coffee--more or less Frango mints. Sheesh.

The White City

I have to admit to liking snow. There is just something about the stillness of the world when it is gently falling and you don't have to be anywhere. I love to look out at the streetlights and see the flakes coming down like stars from the sky and the gentle whirring of the snow-blowers down the street. Gees, the earth is just quiet when it snows--I like that.

The pond froze the other day, enough that Hobbes could walk on it to check out the heater and squirrel footprints. Of course, I'm all worried about the hibernating frogs and minnows out there. I check the heater frequently to make sure it is keeping an air hole open for them, and it is all I can do to make sure they are safe for their winter of slumber. I spend the winter worrying about them, hoping everyone makes it through okay.

We are off downtown Chicago today to do some Christmas shopping and sightseeing. We'll stop to see the windows at Macy's and perhaps stroll Michigan Avenue--this city is lovely covered in white. We'll bundle up like Eskimos and brave the chills, admiring the lights and pine garland that covers the city at Christmas. It really is lovely and a fun something to do on a gloomy day.

There is beauty in cold, snow and ice. Really.

Sparks or Sparkles?

Have you noticed that the holidays are oftentimes a time of polarizing actions and reactions amongst folks? Whether it is the stress of trying to find the time for shopping and decorating, or maybe worrying about how you'll pay for all of this (or none of this) season, it just seems that everyone is either joyful or dreadful at this time of year.

Lines at the local stores can bring out the best and worst of folks. Minor things like a misunderstood glance or perhaps a real or perceived cut in line can set even the most even-keeled person off the deep end. Standing in line makes your mind wander--thinking of all you need to do or what you forgot to get, debating whether or not to get out of line to retrieve said item and that smallest infraction of line etiquette can be perceived as a major act of war.

I'm finding myself watching too much of this going on around me lately. Typically, it is me who is inpatient and losing my cool, but lately, I catch myself stopping for that brief moment and letting it all go by me without snapping. I'm not exactly sure why or what is causing me to be so darned forgiving, but I'm going with it. I have actually found myself in a few awkward positions lately, trying to soften the hard edges and smoothing over situations that are transpiring around me. It's a scary world when I'm pulling the Mother Theresa, I have to say that.

I get Sundance catalog, which is owned by Robert Redford. They have some lovely jewelry that most times I cannot afford, and some funky clothes and such that just too hip for me, but I do love looking and drooling over the catalog when it comes, and sometimes Joe will surprise me with a trinket from its pages. But my favorite part is Bob's message on the inside of the front cover--he's always writing some meaningful message that speaks of peace and love and forgiveness and such. It's only about 4 sentences long, but gees, I like his little message to me in each catalog.

His Christmas message writes of the madness that is Christmas nowadays and he sends a wish of "love, peace, tolerance, and compassion" this year. Gees, I like that message. It transpires all religions and race, and gets to the true point of the season. There isn't one person who can't say that whatever they celebrate, that they hold those four words as the pillar of the message. Four simple words that mean so much.

I'm gonna have to go with Bob on this one--I think it important to remember in all of the craziness that is the holidays to keep your cool, be patient and understanding, and to let a lot of stuff roll.

So, to you, from me and Bob, I wish you love, peace, tolerance, and compassion. And not necessarily in that order.

Thursday night concert --The Dan Band

I'm semi-NOT going to apologize for the video. I know, I've done a couple lately and while you are all riding high from "Suzy Snowflake", I have to show you this one. Although not quite as retro as Suzy, The Dan Band is something you gotta see.

Joe and I went to see The Dan Band last night. Yes, we bundled up to survive temps in the low teens, but that's what us hardy Chicago folk do--we bundle up and go. Let me tell you how freaking cold that wind is blowing across an open parking lot of a huge venue. Brrrrrr.

The actual main act was Cheap Trick, but who goes to see them?! Not me. They were old and "low energy"--yes, those were my actual words after we walked out after 3 songs. But we didn't mind that so much, we were there to see The Dan Band. They were hysterical and fun to see live, but I was bummed they were only allowed a 45 minute gig amidst the loaded set list of the night.

As there are only a few of us who actually follow The Dan Band, I have to explain that his show is made up of all songs that woman have made famous. The "I Am Woman" Tour is hilarious, if not entertaining. Gees, these boys can dance! Do a few searches on YouTube if you like what you see here--he's worth the look see.

Enjoy!

Hey, Happy Friday, pallies! We are off to a basketball game tonight, The Nutcracker on Saturday, and some Christmas shopping downtown on Sunday. I hope this weekend finds you (and me!) some time for reflection of the season, some good holiday movies, and perhaps being with those you love. Breathe deep, my friends, for this is some stressful time of year.

I-love-Hobbes Thursday

And this would be why we don't have the live tree up yet.

Yes, it is sitting outside on the patio, snow-covered and lonely. And yes, I will get around to bringing it in someday soon. Someday. I wonder if I can get away with not putting ornaments or lights on the darned thing. Perhaps I will start a new Christmas craze called "tree". You know, like "Christmas tree" but without the sparkle. It sure would take a whole lot less work, that's for sure.

Poor Hobbes is bored stiff these days. He's trying every 20 minutes or so to go outside, but he quickly forgets how brutally cold it is. Sniffing at the door, he backs up like a dump truck (you can almost hear the beeping) as he realizes going out isn't such a great idea. He wanders around our tiny house looking for something to do, someone to play with, something--anything--to pass the hours. Poor guy. I have a feeling the ornaments going up on the tree is going to be huge fun.

And taking them off and batting them around the house even more so.

Semi-Wordless Wednesday with Suzy Snowflake

When I was a kid, every Christmas we would wait for "Suzy Snowflake" and "Hard Rock, Coco, and Joe" to be played on Ray Rayner and Friends in the morning. Years later, Bozo would adopt the videos and we would all sit and wait for our annual showing of these original "music videos". Gees, we were rockin' it back then, weren't we?

So, sit back, relax, eat your cold cereal, and enjoy Suzy Snowflake. Just pretend your mom is over in the kitchen packing your lunch while you are chilling before school. If you are well-behaved, I just might treat you to "Hard Rock, Coco, and Joe" later in the week.

Random Tuesday with The Count

When I saw this photo in my camera, I knew this was a blog post just waiting to happen.

Here's me, my sleeping Count Dracula husband, Joe, and our evil-eyed dog. Isn't it hilarious??! Here I am, all smiley and cute and then there's Joe. What the hell?! Sheesh, can't even just have a nice photo of the two of us. And I don't even own a dog. Whatever. They are mere props in my life.

Tuesday is random day, so I'm going all random on ya. Batten down the hatches, pallies:

1. We had our first snow yesterday morning. When did all the drivers forget how to drive in snow? We live in Chicago, people. It snows in Chicago--a lot. Please remember to use the gas pedal.
   
2. Um, generic drugs are NOT the same as the Brand name. Can someone please tell my insurance company this news? I have officially regressed with the GERD back to 3 months ago and I cannot swallow again. I am not a happy camper. But the insurance company says that I am fine.
3. I am officially sick of spam on my blog, although I am not acknowledging it in any way. Shhhhh....
4. Do you know who I love? No, not Count Dracula Joe. Suzy Snowflake! I'm gonna have to post that video this week. Gees, she looks snappy in her snow white gown. It was nice to see her this morning.
   
5. Hobbes is a very brave stripey guy--he went out in the snow this morning!
   
6. We got our Christmas tree the other night, although we wait a week or so to put it up. Okay, it was like 8 degrees outside and it took us all of about 7 minutes to pick it out--it's a beauty though!
   
7. Does anyone else have Christmas dishes that they use the whole holiday season? I do. Although I have to have the tree facing upright before I can eat on them. I'm a tad quirky.
8. I love my remote control fireplace. Who thinks of these things that make my life wonderful?
9. Are you done shopping? I'm not. And that stresses me out.
10. Colin made it into Honor Society a week ago and that made me really happy. That and he got a sweet scholarship to his second choice school. It was a good parenting week for me, I guess all of our hard work does pay off. And yes, he says "please" and "thank you" with absolutely no prompting from me anymore. Score.