handwashing cat's paws

For those of you who see Greg on a regular basis, ask him about this. I know he'd love to tell you about it. Cats and water - nice mix.
Cats and paint - don't mix. :o)

The Eve of "The Eve"

I found this on another blog and thought it was amusing. I'm not feeling quite this bad, but must admit there have been years...

Enjoy!

Funny, Funny Mother!
See Mother.
See Mother laugh.
Mother is happy.
Mother is happy about Christmas.
Mother has many plans.
Mother has many plans for Christmas.
Mother is organized.
Mother smiles all the time.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother smile.
Mother is happy.
The shopping is all done.
See the children watch TV.
Watch children, watch.
See the children change their minds.
See them ask Santa for different toys.
Look! Look!
Mother is not smiling.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother sew.
Mother will make dresses.
Mother will make robes.
Mother will make shirts.
See Mother put the zipper in wrong.
See Mother sew the dress on the wrong side.
See Mother cut the skirt too short.
See Mother Put the materials away until January.
Look! Look!See Mother take a tranquilizer.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother buy raisins and nuts.
See Mother buy candied pineapple
And powdered sugar.
See Mother buy flour, dates, pecans,
Brown sugar, bananas and spices.
Look! Look!Mother is mixing everything together.
See the children press out cookies.
See the flour on their elbows.
See the cookies burn.
See the cake fall.
See the children pull taffy.
See Mother pull her hair.
See Mother clean the kitchen
With the garden hose.
Funny, funny Mother!

See Mother.
See Mother wrap presents.
See Mother look for the end
On the Scotch tape roll.
See Mother bite her fingernails.
See Mother go.
See Mother go to the store
Ten times in one hour.
Go Mother, go.
See Mother go faster.
Run, Mother, run!
See Mother trim the tree.
See Mother have a party.
See Mother make popcorn.
See Mother wash the walls.
See Mother scrub the rug.
See Mother tear up organized plan.
See Mother forget gift for Uncle Harold.
See Mother get hives.
Go, Mother, go!
See the faraway look in Mother's eyes.
Mother has become disorganized.
Mother has become disoriented.
Funny, funny Mother!

It is finally Christmas morning.
See the happy family.
See Father smile.
Father is happy.
Smile, Father, smile.
Father loves fruitcake.
Father loves Christmas pudding.
Father loves all his new neckties.
Look! Look!See the happy children.
See the children's new toys.
Santa was very good to the children.
The children will remember this Christmas.
See Mother.
Mother is slumped in a chair.
Mother is crying uncontrollably.
Mother does not look well.
Mother has ugly dark circles
Under her bloodshot eyes.
Everyone helps Mother to her bed.
See Mother sleep quietly
Under heavy sedation.
See Mother smile.
Funny, funny Mother!

Our winter, um,

iceland? This was the scene yesterday morning when I stepped out the front door. No snow yet, though they say maybe an inch tonight. It'll all be gone before The Big Day. At least everyone will have safe driving that way.

Happy Birthday, Baby!

The boy child turned 23 years old today. We had a nice brunch at Granite City Brewery to celebrate.
He was born on a Saturday, fifteen days overdue. (Never been one to be rushed into something!)

We took him home in a blizzard. Greg was so nervous, he put him into his carseat face-down, not knowing which side was up. :o)

I don't understand how 23 years went by so fast, but he's grown up into a funny, intelligent, kind, responsible, hardworking young man. We are very proud of him.

Happy Birthday, Nick!

A little sparkle

Started some decorating this weekend. Instead of the big tree, we put up three Alpine trees. That's all that's done inside...

Finito - for now

Took my last three tests last night.

Have until 4:00 Monday to mail my last few assignments for this semester.

Finished those tonight. The envelope is pictured here. It will be in the mail first thing tomorrow morning.

Now I can decorate for Chrismtas.

Now I can work on our Christmas letter and address cards.

Now I can make a recipe list for baking with Jessi next week.

Now I can shop and wrap and dance merrily around the house to jolly Christmas tunes! :o)

Did I mention we have tickets to see Eric Clapton in March?

Time to go to bed, I think.

Tomorrow my time is my own - yippee!

I'm SO EXCITED!

Intense research and creation of a fake in-service interuppted by this IMPORTANT BULLETIN:

Guess who we're going to see in concert?!!

Guess!

Look at the photo!

We're going to see ERIC CLAPTON!

Eric Clapton, people!

I can't contain my excitement, obviously.

Be happy for us - and if you're so inclined get some tickets and come along!

(March 31, Quest Center, Omaha)

He's a handy man

I'm always impressed with how Greg can do a little research, purchase some parts, and then repair whatever is broken around here. We save so much $$ because he likes to take things apart. :o) Here he's working on the dryer. It's close to 20 years old and died last weekend. For about $40 we'll probably get another 20 years out of it.

Yes, he's a handy guy to have around.

Edited 12/06: It's another week, $100 more dollars, and a new motor later, and I got to use my dryer this morning - Yea! He got pretty good at disassembling it and putting it back together. :o)

Edited 12/07: I told Greg last night that I used the dryer. He asked how it worked. I said it worked "alright" and shrugged. I was able to dry a load of towels in 50 minutes that used to take a 60 minute cycle and then another 30 or 40 minute cycle. He said, "Then I think that dryer worked DAMN GOOD!" :o)

New Heights

0f feline naughtiness. Tucker is pictured here on top of the very most top cabinet we have. It's higher even than the refrigerator! He knocks the baskets down, then looks at me like he's so innocent, those baskets just "jumped" down!

He's a bad boy.