The tribulations of resolutions

Happy New Year everyone. I know this is a time for making a few resolutions and I think I will just post them here for your perusal.

Tink's 10 New Year Resolutions:

1. Spend more time with family
2. Try to loose more weight (notice I said try)
3. Make sure I spend time writing in the journals I bought for the kids
4. Watch Pan play his XBox games
5. Get rid of some of the Princess' and Indy's toys
6. Read a new book
7. Make more Scrapbook pages
8. Say thank you more often
9. Laugh more loudly
10. Sprinkle more Pixie Dust

Experience Tribulations

Friday 12/29 Blog Prompt: Share something new that you want to experience in 2007!

A clean house. I really want to experience a clean house. Actually what I want is an uncluttered house. One free of toys and boxes, a more convenient place for all our dvds. My daughter's stuff out of my craft room so maybe I can move my printer and computer in there instead of the living room. Is this asking for too much, maybe?

Pictures from Hawaii, these in
anticipation of the wedding vow
renewals:

Honey, Scamp and Ballerina in front
of the Iwo Jima Memorial at Kanoehe
Bay Marine Corp Base.


Close-up of my beautiful
daughter-in-law, Honey.


Ballerina clowning around.

Dieting Tribulations

Thurs 12/28 Blog Prompt: Give us your best diet tips and ideas for healthy eating during the holidays.

Although I have been trying to lose weight, I don't really "diet." What I do is count calories, fat, etc. I have the Diet Power program to keep track of them as well as all those vitamins and minerals you need. So my best tip is keep track of what you eat.

And a picture from Hawaii:

Scamp got volunteered to be the chief of our group (he wasn't not too happy with his mom, hehehehe) and had to approach the head warrior of the Aotearoa (New Zealand) non-aggressively but meeting the warrior's eyes.

Word of the Week - ARGOT (n)

Better late than never right?

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

argot (n)
the specialized vocabulary and idioms of the those in the same work, way of life, etc., as the secret jargon of criminals; slang.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Tribs

Been a long week hasn't it? But Christmas is now over. So how did your holiday go? Get lots of gifts? Get what you really wanted?

Well as you well know, I got mine in advance of Christmas in the form of a new truck; new cell phone; a bluetooth earpiece and a trip to Hawaii. But on Christmas day I got a 1 quart and 3 quart pot. They were from mom, she had my name this year. This is what I really asked for so was very happy to get them. Now I can throw my old ones out.

The kids made out with lots of toys and clothes. We gave the Princess a Barbie dollhouse; a Barbie Mermaida dollhouse; and the Barbie Fairytopia Elina. She has been having lots of fun here at the house with the Mermaida dollhouse and Elina; but then so has Indy.

Indy got a Curious George; a Diego interactive backpack and a real project workbench. He has really enjoyed his workbench, which we have at our house. But then again, so has the Princess. I personally love it. The "wood" pieces are really 1" thick foam and it has directions on how to make a variety of things including a car, plane and castle. For those of you with tots between the ages of 3 and 6, I highly recommend it. I think it is by Playskool.

Pan got a gift certificate from mom and a prepaid credit card from his folks, so he is in heaven trying to decide what he is going to buy.

We went to my sister's, ddpup, house for dinner and her house was just gorgeous. She had trees in every room. (I will post pictures when I get them downloaded). Dinner was delicious (she is an excellent cook as is her husband).

Well I am looking forward to hearing what all of you did during your holiday and in the meantime... HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Narcissitic Tribulations

Blatantly stolen from Mrs. Who who swiped it from Janet's Ordinary Life and Cindi's place. And in her words feel free to tag yourself if you want.

Rules – copy the list and bold face the items you’ve done. Wait for some comments then answer the questions.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Driven anything over 100 MPH
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse of the moon.
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently Latin
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours - Good Drugs
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey in Latin
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone’s life

More Christmas Meme Tribulations

Bahumbug! Sissy tagged me with the Christmas Meme.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.

2.Real tree or artificial? Artificial. A 9 foot artificial.

3.When do you put up the tree? Christmas Eve if I had my way.

4.When do you take the tree down? The day after Christmas if I had my way.

5.Do you like eggnog? It's okay!

6.Favorite gift you received as a child? Having Santa bring Dad home for Christmas and the Barbie furniture my mom made from milk cartons and aluminum cans.

7.Do you have a nativity scene? No

8.Hardest person to buy for? Actually there happen to be two. Pan and Nuke. Pan and Nuke normally just goes out and buy whatever it is they want. Or it tends to be so outrageously priced as to make it beyond my capabilities to afford it (like the year that Nuke suggested a kit helicopter).

9.Easiest person to buy for? Indy. This year he may be getting a laundry basket.

10.Mail or email Christmas cards? E-mail. If I even remember that.

11.Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Anything from my ex.

12.Favorite Christmas movie? Any of the Scrooge/Christmas Carol movies..

13.When do you start shopping? 1 week before Christmas.

14.Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No. But thought about it for my ex.

15.Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's pork and beef stuffing!!

16.Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear; not blinking!

17.Favorite Christmas song? Darcy the Dragon as sung by Roger Whittaker.

18.Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel.

19.Can you name all of Santa's Reindeers? Yep, I think

20.Angel on the tree top or a star? Tinkerbell.

21.Open the presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning.

22.Most annoying thing about this time of year? Being back from Hawaii.

23.Do you have Jesus in your heart this Christmas? This and every day.

24.What would you like for Christmas? Can't get to greedy since I just got a new truck; a dash cell; a bluetooth earpiece and a trip to Hawaii.

5 to Tag: Everyone has been tagged so I guess I'm last one out and am turning out the lights.

Ornamental Tribulations

You Are a Tree

You love every part of the holidays, down to the candy canes and stockings. And you're goofy enough to put a Christmas tree ornament on your tree!

What Christmas Ornament Are You?

Can't let the bug be the only one stealing this.

Enjoying Tribulations?

Wed 12/20 Blog Prompt: Fill in the blank and then tell us about it.

I enjoy sleeping now, but if anyone had told me that years ago, I would never have believed them.

I never have liked to sleep. Afraid I was going to miss something. I still feel that way now from time to time, but I sure do enjoy crawling into bed, snuggling under the covers and drifting off to sleep.

Photo from Hawaii:

Here Scamp husks a coconut.He actually came in first onthis one. So now whenever Ineed a coconut husked I knowwho to call on.

Apart from My Tribulations

Tues 12/19 Blog Prompt: What sets you apart from the crowd?

It will probably depend on who you ask. One of my best friends will tell you it is because I am the only person she knows who watches science shows for pleasure. She will also tell you that I can get along with a wide variety of people, from your fast food cook to a rocket scientist. It always makes me feel good when she brings that up.

If you ask my boss' wife, she will tell you if you need anything from her husband, you have to go through me.

Pan would probably say, well, we won't go there will we.

My kids could possibly tell you that I am a fantastic mom and a great listener, NOT, LOL.

The Princess will tell you that I look just like the Disney Tinkerbell. (oh to see through the eyes of a child). Actually I look more like Ms. Frosty the Snowman.

So I reiterate, it depends on the crowd and who is involved.

Photo from Hawaii:


Samoa at the PolynesianCulture Center. Scamp wasdragged up on stage to helpwith some presentations. Thisone was to start a fire with a stick. He got some smoke.

Word of the Week - RAPSCALLION (n)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

rapscallion (n)
a rascal; rogue.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Pressures of Tribulations

Mon 12/18 Blog Prompt: Where do you go when you want to get away from the pressures of life, family, work, etc.?

It's kind of hard to get away when you have a two year old running around and you haven't had to deal with something like that for nearly 30 years. My mom is right, it is harder as you get older. Seems like there is never any time during the day and I don't remember it being like that when I was in my 20's.

Still if I can find the time to get away, a good book is always the best choice. Sometimes I will spend time playing computer games, just so I don't have to think about what is transpiring around me. Although when I try a game I am usually interrupted with pleas of wanting to play too.

Photo shot from Hawaii:


The Ballerina has been taking modeling lessons and Scamp, her dad, wanted herto show off for us. We had just gotten thereso she was still a little shy, but dad showedher the paces to go through.

Gifts and Tribulations

Weekend Blogging 12/16 - 12/17: Brought to us by Loonyhiker - Who is the hardest person to buy a gift for and why?

Gosh get home from Hawaii and get the hardest question of the year to have to try and answer. But I will give it my best effort.

Actually there happen to be two. Pan and Nuke. Pan and Nuke normally just goes out and buy whatever it is they want. Or it tends to be so outrageously priced as to make it beyond my capabilities to afford it (like the year that Nuke suggested a kit helicopter).

This year Nuke sent me a link to a site for a Tinkertoy computer (built out of Tinkertoys), so maybe I will just start buying him sets of them and eventually he will have enough to build his own. Right?

Pan will be easy this year though as our gift to each other was the trip to Hawaii.

Tribulations of Being Back

We made it home. While it was great to sleep in my own bed for a change, I still miss seeing the Ballerina. Everyone, except Pan and I, were worried about how she would react to us as she had only seen us once before about a year and a half ago.

She adored Pan and had him carry her everywhere, and she always wanted to go to Tink and Pan's house. We had a wonderful time whle we were there as Scamp and Honey had the full week planned out. I'll be posting all about it this week complete with pictures or scrapbook pages.

Well as soon as my computer is up and going again I will. I'm posting from Pan's right now.

Tink Is Back In Florida

Just a head's up. Tink has made it back. But her network is down. She'll be posting when it is all working again. Phew.

Christmas Meme and Tribulations

Friday 12/15 Blog Prompt: Let's have some fun today with a Christmas meme that's making the blogging rounds - Christmas Questionnaire

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Depends on who is making it.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? When the kids were little no wrapping, they just woke up and ran into the living room to be unindated with toys everywhere. Now that Santa doesn't really make stops here, the gifts are all wrapped.

3. Colored lights or white lights on tree/house? White lights. We have a 9' foot artifical tree and I like to wrap the lights around the post in the center and then spaced about every 6" inches apart on each branch. I don't do the lights anymore so it rarely gets done the way I like it.

4. Do you hang Mistletoe? No.

5. When do you put your decorations up? If it was me, they would go up Christmas Eve day, but since it isn't they usually go up the weekend after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? My mom's pork and beef stuffing.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Waking up and seeing the tree decked out in lights and angel hair.

8. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? One.

9. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Is there something Santa isn't telling us?

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? I would love to do a theme, but there would be too many arguments. So we have Star Trek ornaments, mixed in with those special ones that we buy each year.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love snow, but don't get to see it much anymore.

12. Can you ice skate? Probably not anymore.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Having Santa bring Dad home for Christmas and the Barbie furniture my mom made from milk cartons and aluminum cans.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending time with my family

15. What tops your tree? Tinkerbell. You need to ask?

16. What’s your favorite holiday tradition? Stockings filled with oranges, apples, pears, nuts and peppermint sticks.

17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving, of course.

18. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Divinity.

19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Darcy the Dragon as sung by Roger Whittaker.

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? I can take them or leave them.

21. What is your favorite Christmas special/movie? Any of the Scrooge/Christmas Carol movies. I believe I have them all and we start watching them a week or two before Christmas with a different one every night.

Busy Tribulations

Amazing how life can take over on occassion. Had wonderful plans on changing Tink's blog to a different background and so on. Hasn't happened and I think she'll be back before I find the time! Instead, I will put out some humor for all to enjoy:

THE BEST holiday eating tips...EVER!!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention.

Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Happy Holidays to you all!

Senses & Tribulations

Thurs 12/14 Blog Prompt: Using your 5 senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste), what will/did you experience today?

Sight: A messed up house again. It was nice to come in from the airport on Friday to a clean house. Didn't last long though.
Sound: Children playing, laughing, screeching as they ran around.
Smell: Right now, chocolate chip cookies that Pan is baking. First thing I have been able to smell in a couple of days.
Touch: The soft cheek of Indy as he laid up against me to watch Christmas shows.
Taste: Onions and tomatoes on an omelet. Yummmmm.

Peculiar Gifts and Tribulations

Wed 12/13 Blog Prompt: What's the most peculiar gift you've ever received? Describe what happened when you opened it and your reaction.

It wasn't peculiar but was unusual as it was unexpected especially from my father. The Christmas I was 16 he bought me a silk nightie and negligee. Definitely not something that I expected. It was a wonderful gift on so many levels, the most prominent being that he had started to realize that I was growing up.

Tribulations of a Favorite Holiday Song

Tues 12/12 Blog Prompt: Do you have a favorite holiday song? Which one(s) drive you crazy?

Absolutely have a favorite holiday song and it is song by Roger Whittaker. I love the song "Darcy the Dragon." On the same cd is "Tiny Angels" which is always a tear-jerker for me as when I listen to it, I think about when my kids were "Tiny Angels."

I guess the one that drives me crazy at this point is the one about Grandma getting run over by the reindeer. It was cute but has been run into the ground I think.

My kids still like Jingle Bells in latin; so I guess I can add that one to my favorites too.

Naming Tribulations

Since Tink loves words... I found THIS LIST of words over at Mary Beth's.

I didn't even know that this one had a name:

FERRULE - The metal band on a pencil that holds the eraser in place.

There are 32 more there to entertain you and drive your friends nuts.

Word of the Week - RAMULOSE (adj)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

ramulose (adj)
having many small branches.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Entry Tribulations

Mon 12/11 Blog Prompt: At what time do you normally write your blog entries? Does it make a difference in what you write?

Normally on Tuesday and Thursdays, I try to write before I go to work. Rest of the week, it is when I have a moment to sit down and think about it. I know it usually after 9 a.m., as my mother sees the previous day's post when she checks the blogs out.

I don't think it really makes a difference in what I write, but I will wait if it is something that for me requires some kind of forethought so I don't stick my foot in my mouth so to speak.

Christmas Quiz Tribulations

Had a little fun taking THIS QUIZ. I made 200... with my hubby's help of course.

The Tribulations of Having Fun

There have been some fun links going around. First you can go 'Elf yourself' which I found at Michele's place. Very funny. Next you can go practice shooting your gun, just be sure not to shoot your eye out from the Splatter Zone. ;-)

And while Happy Dog is on guard... he didn't see me sneak over and change Tink's banner. Ahhhh. The fun.

Craving Tribulations

Weekend Blogging 12/9 - 12/10: Brought to us by mom2triplets - What do I crave? (Food)

What foods do I crave? Well it really depends on the time of day, the season and how I am feeling. Most times turnip greens with loads of salt and scallions will satisfy any craving that I may have. But if I am feeling under the weather, I prefer something spicy, guacamole, tacos, etc. Like now, I would really like some guacamole and am staring at a semi-ripe avocado, as if my stare will make it ripen faster.

Lucky Tribulations

Friday 12/8 Blog Prompt: To misquote Clint Eastwood - Do you feel lucky?

Lucky or blessed? I don't know that I really believe in luck, although I will from time to time, make some mention as to how lucky I have been. More than anything, I believe that I am blessed to have such a wonderful family and a great life.

Sisterly Tribulations

What good is it to be given the keys to the blog when your sister keeps showing up?? Geeze. You'd think that while in Hawaii visiting her son and his family she would be w.a.y too busy to post. It won't stop me from having some fun this weekend. Please send your suggestions directly to happydogspeaks (at) gmail (dot) com.

Ornament Tribulations

Thurs 12/7 Blog Prompt: Do you have a favorite ornament or decoration that you display at this time of year? Tell us its story!

Epees is my favorite ornament, although he does have a tendency to wander around the house via the grandkids. Epees is what I was told meant pest in filipino. In other words, epees is a spider. I have a palm sized one that I put on the tree every year.

I'm in Hawaii so I can't dig out the paper which gives the full story on the Christmas tree and the spider but it went something like this:

On Christmas eve, a long time ago, a gentle mother was busily cleaning the house for the most wonderful day of the year... Christmas day, the day on which the little Christ child came to bless the house. Not a speck of dust was left. Even the spiders had been banished from their cozy corner on the ceiling. They had fled to the farthest corner of the attic.

The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated. The poor spiders were frantic, for they could not see the tree, nor be present for the little Christ child's visit. Then the oldest and wisest spider suggested that perhaps they could wait until everyone went to bed and then get a closer look.

When the house was dark and silent, the spiders crept out of their hiding place. When they neared the Christmas tree, they were delighted with the beauty of it. The spiders crept all over the tree, up and down, over the branches and twigs and saw every one of the pretty things.

The spiders loved the Christmas tree. All night long they danced in the branches, leaving them covered with spider webs. In the morning, when the little Christ child came to bless the house, he was dismayed! He loved the little spiders for they were God's creatures, but he knew the mother, who had worked so hard to make everything perfect, would not be pleased when she saw what the spiders had done.

With love in his heart and a smile on his lips, the little Christ child reached out and gently touched the spider webs. The spider webs started to sparkle and shine! They had all turned into sparkling, shimmering silver and gold.

According to legend, ever since this happened, people have hung tinsel on their Christmas trees. It has also become a custom to include a spider among the decorations on the Christmas tree.

Reindeer Tribulations

Some days I get shocked by the strangest things. And it happened today over at Mary Beth's. She has THIS POST up on reindeer ornaments. I didn't know whether to laugh or blush or be shocked. I think I was all three. I never thought about ornaments in quite that way before. Particularly since she pointed out my post about reindeer and their antlers. Read that first before looking at the ornament. It gives you a whole different view.

Yaa... Tink is going to kick my butt when I get back. ;-)

The Tribulations of Learning to Cook

Wed 12/6 Blog Prompt: Describe your cooking skills as a newlywed. If you're not yet married, describe your cooking skills when you first moved out on your own.

Pan lucked out in that I got to test my culinary skills on the ex. And yes, test them I did. The first meal we had together was by candlelight because I was trying to hide the uncooked steak and the over-cooked french fries.

Like I said Pan lucked out and by the time we married I was a fairly decent cook.

And Bug if you don't behave yourself, I will turn the keys over to someone more reliable next time. Which by the way is going to be universal instead of disney in May.

Newlywed Cooking Tribulations

Blogprompt: Describe your cooking skills as a newlywed. If you're not yet married, describe your cooking skills when you first moved out on your own.

Since I wasn't around when my sister got married... and she didn't tell me any of those kind of stories... I'll have to tell you about our mom. When she was baking a chicken for the very first time, she thought it was finished after it had gotten a golden brown color. Needless to say, it was pretty bloody when you cut into it. Which explained why Dad really didn't want us learning how to cook while at home. GRIN.

Keys and Tribulations

What to do? What to do? Tink left me the keys and I just don't know what I should do. Any suggestions? **snicker**

Winter Memories and Tribulations

Tues 12/5 Blog Prompt: What is your favorite winter memory?

My favorite is the year that Pan and I married. It was the first time in years that it actually snowed and waking up and seeing the white stuff on the ground was so miraculous.

I ran out and made a giant snowball. Snuck back into the house and beamed Pan while he was using the restroom (still didn't make up for the machete though). Startled him and he knew better than to take it out on me so he made snowballs and threw them at the kids while they were still in bed.

Talk about bringing the house down, LOL. It was so funny to see all of them, from Pan to the kids trying to decide whether to be angry or excited that it was snowing.

I grin just thinking about.

INDY UPDATE: Well the turd managed to get the cut infected. Bombshell took him to the doctor today, they lanced it and put him on antibiotics, but he has to go back tomorrow. If it has not improved substantially, they will be putting him in the hospital. I tell you, he is just doing this so that I will be worried sick about him while I'm gone.

You all take care for the next week and a half. Bug will be doing the guest posting for me, but I want you to keep an eye out on her. And what she doesn't know is that I will be checking in to see what she is doing as well. But be good to her as well. She does have two youngsters to chase around.

Happy Holidays all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAN

Just want you to know how very much I love you and am glad to be able to spend another birthday with you. I'll make up for it by making sure you get leied in Hawaii. (This is the real day, honest.... December 4, it is December 4, isn't it?)

For those stopping by, please wish my better half a most joyous Birthday.

Word of the Week - CLYPEATE (adj)

Disclaimer: All words that I choose come from the 1968 edition of the Webster's New World Dictionary, 2nd college edition. It's close and also nearly 40 years old so we may come across some words that are no longer in general use or have completely changed definitions. But that is part of the fun.

clypeate (adj)
shaped like a round shield.

And what in the world can you do with this word? Well, you could write a sentence using it. You could look it up in another dictionary or reference book. (several dictionary searches available in my sidebar for your use.) Use it as a jump start for a short story. If applicable, find a picture of it. Whatever you do, post a link in my comments so I can check it out and put a link back to your post. And have fun.

Tribulations of a Baobob and Cedar Tree

Mon 12/4 Blog Prompt: I think this was suggested by Trish (ArtCTiger) sometime last week - What kind of tree would you be? Take it seriously! Think about it and give us your reasonings. And after you've done that, follow this link: Tree Astrology, to see what tree your birth date says you are!

Baobob for my constantly changing girth. More exactly for storing fat. Okay they store water but you get the meaning. They also cannot be aged as they do not produce growth rings and I have been told on numerous occasions that I look younger than I am. They can endure harsh conditions in the areas they grow, as I have endured harsh conditions in my own life. Yep, that's me. Just call me Ms. Baobob Tree.

But according to tree astrology, I am a cedar. The tree of the Lord as pronounced by the Jewish Nature Center. And if you pop on over to National Arbor Day Foundation this is what they have to say:

"An excellent evergreen with graceful pendulous branches. Pyramidal form when young, wide-spreading and flat-topped in old age."

Hey, how did they know that I am wide-spread and flat-topped? Oh well, guess you can just call me Ms. BaobobCedarTree.

Celebrity Tribulations

Blatantly Stolen from ArmyWifeToddlerMom today, but had done it before via a link from VW Bug, who I noticed hasn't updated today and better do so before mom calls.

Christmas Cooking and Gifts I Need Tribulations

Weekend Blogging 12/2 - 12/3:
Part one from Ordinary Days - I'm spending the weekend making Christmas treats. I'll share a recipe or two. Anyone else?
Part two supplied by Love2Scrap - And here is one: what do YOU reallllly want for Christmas? (especially helpful if your hubby reads your blog!).

Part one: Cheesecake Squares
Cream 5 tablespoons butter, 1/3 cup light brown sugar. Add 1 cup flour and 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts. Save some crumbs and press rest into 8x8x2" pan, bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes.

Blend 1/2 cup sugar and 8 ounces cream cheese. Add 1 well beaten egg, 2 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Blend and pour over crust. Sprinkle leftover crumbs on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cool and cut.

Part two: I can't really think of much more I should ask for Christmas as I just got a new truck, a new T-Mobile dash cell phone and a bluetooth earpiece for said cellphone, add in the trip to Hawaii for 9-10 days and I think I would be pretty greedy if I asked for anything additional.

But I can put a list down for next year, just in case darling Pan wants to make note, LOL. Lets see. A new computer; 1 gig memory sticks for my camera; a digital camcorder; cork flooring throughout the house; a trip to Las Vegas; a trip to South Carolina; etc. Don't want much do I?

Board, Video or Card Tribulations

Friday 12/1 Blog Prompt: Earlier in the week, we talked about favorite cartoons. Now I want to know your favorite board game, video game, or card game. And who do you usually play with?

I can remember when we were growing up, mom and sometimes dad would sit at the dining table playing cards and board games with us. I was never that good with my own kids. Oh we played games but just not as often as I did as a child. Nuke and I always preferred to put on a Weird Al Yankovich record and make up dance moves to the songs. No wonder he eventually took 3 or 4 years of ballroom dancing.

As I aged I found that I really liked Trivial Pursuit. Something about being trivial I guess, LOL. I don't have an eidetic memory, but I have accumulated vast amounts of useless information which I can recall most times (as long as I don't need to anyway). Better yet, I know how to locate the information I need. I always liked playing games like Life, Risk and Monopoly, but I tend to be pretty competitive in them so I have to be careful who I play those games with. Down deep I really don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

I really never got into the video games like my kids and Pan did. Pan now has a X-Box that he plays the Star Wars games on, but not much of anything else, although I bought him all kinds of games to play on it. I do like playing computer games though. My favorites tend to games like Bookworm and Diner Dash. The first to keep my vocabulary up; the second to test my memory and speed.

And yes I love card games too. Growing up was Fish, War and Old Maid; by high school it was pinochle, hearts and spades, with the old stand by of solitaire. Now that the grands are around we are back to Fish, War and Old Maid.