New Years Eve!!

Yikes-a-roonie!! I cannot believe it is New Years Eve 2005!! Tomorrow is 2006. Who'da thunk that we would be here to see this?
Oh...this picture shows how Seattle does New Years Eve. Lots of crazy people pack downtown at Seattle Center to see the spectacular light show, but me? I like to sit home with my trusty police scanner and television and watch the New Years celebration around the world and listen to rookie drinkers being pulled over by our trusty police!! hehehehe (see ya at the next AA meeting sucker!! How much did that cost ya? Was it worth it??) hehehehehe
I spent too many New Years Eve's Bartending and being the last (drunk) to leave the premesis in broad daylight!! I seemed to get drunker after hours cleaning the bar than the patrons did during the night. My ex-husband refused to be out on that night and would stay home while I worked. The old fuddy duddy!!
Well I don't get to stay home, our Church decided to have a 'game' night and we all are going to drink sodas and eat fattening snacks and play silly games like 'guesstures' or something like that. Whoo Hoo!! Oh, it'll be fun, 'cause I like everyone there. We will be together and pray the New Years in asking for Blessings of 2006.
2005 was a fabulous year for me, and I am looking forward to the year to come.
I pray everyone has a safe and sane night and if you drink, PLEASE don't drive!! PLEASE!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! May all your dreams come true and give you a healthy happy prosperous 2006.
Before you criticize someone,
you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

What's your next move?

Elliott seems to be telling me I am about to make the wrong move! He just LOVES to help me at the computer! I have to leave and go to the recliner and give him his 'special time'. Punkin seems to be tolerating him.

Well Christmas is over and I am ready to put away all the decorations and clean house!! Well ok, I am getting my hair done in Bellingham tomorrow while my house cleaner cleans my house! She comes in every two weeks to deep clean and I stay much cleaner that way! I am off work until next Tuesday so I will get alot done by then.

Mary Lou is having problems with her server, so she started a temporary new blog. Go visit her here.
I have absolutely nothing to blog about, just wanted to renew my site before everyone thinks I deserted this.

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead.
Do not walk ahead of me,for I may not follow.
Do not walk beside me either.
Just pretty much leave me the hell alone.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas fom my house to yours!
The Stockings are hung by the...ummm...Christmas tree with care in hopes that...umm...Sandy Claws will fill them with care!!
I hope that the gift of Christmas spirit fills your hearts with love and joy, and that everyone has a SAFE and happy Christmas!!
For all my other friends...Happy whatever it is you celebrate!!
I am off to spend the afternoon with my 90 year old friend Hannah, and then to Church at 7, then home at 9 with my family, then tomorrow to my sis's house for Prime Rib!! NUM!!! She better have taken the roast out to thaw!!

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.

My Helper

This blog is turning into "Elliott's" blog!!
When he wants attention, he gets it! He keeps trying to crawl on my keyboard so I lefted the board and he laid down so I put the board on him. He stayed like this the entire time I was blogging!
Well I see it is time to run to my meeting so I just wanted to say hi to everybody. I need two more days before Christmas!! Ah well, it will work out, that's all there is to it!

If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple ofcar payments.

Party Animal

We had our first annual Christ the King Coupeville Christmas Party last night. As usual I just had to be the party animal! I don't need to be drinking to be the fool. Stand in line guys!! Whooot!!
We had a white elephant gift exchange which was hilarious! We gave each person a number and the first one gets to choose what gift to open. The second one gets to choose #1's gift or another wrapped gift, and so on. It can get pretty mean if someone really wants the gift they opened and someone else takes it!! HAHAHAHA All in fun!!
I ended up with a boom box, but I left it for the Church and kept the pretty silver bow I was wearing. I left at 7:30 to get to my AA meeting and partied more! I got home at 11:30 and listened to my police scanner giving out DUI's!! Egads, if I knew when I was 18 that I would be doing this at 56, I think I would've jumped off the bridge, but actually, I really enjoy my life now.......really!

Always remember that you're unique........ Just like everyone else.

What a character!

Elliott loves to stare at me upside down. He runs around the house then comes to a stop and jumps on the chair next to me and stares like this. He is such a character!!

I had the day off and made a huge 'Miss Maudes Spaghetti Casserole' for our Church potluck tonight. My little Mexican boyfriends came over and played computer games while I was working in the kitchen.

I love this time of year, the parties and all the pretty lights! I hope everyone has a great Christmas and is safe!! I know, it is a week away, and I will more than likely say it about 8 more times, but heck, I love it!!

Give God what's right
not what's left.

Waiting for "Sandy Claws"

Elliott has found a new favorite spot to sleep!!
I'm glad I don't have twinkling lights, or he'd be chasing them!! So far he hasn't bothered the ornaments, but he has knocked over the boxes a few times!!

This is now Christmastime!! EGADS, 13 more days!! Hmmmm, I wonder if anyone will receive a partridge in a pear tree tomorrow??

Well I'd better sign off and get to crocheting!!
Hope everyone is keeping calm and happy!!


Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

December Sunset

I was driving home yesterday and had to stop and get a picture of the beauty of this place to share with you.

This is taken on Madrona Way looking Northeast across Penn Cove and the Mussell raft farm. If you like mussells for dinner then they more than likely came from here. They hang long ropes under the rafts and mussells grow on the ropes. They pull the ropes out of the water and harvest them from a little boat.

If you look really really close, you can see Mount Baker in the background. It is a volcano that they are watching for future eruptions. Actually we thought Mt. Baker would blow instead of Mt. St. Helens. But then nature has a way of surprising us and letting us know who is boss and that we have no power whatsoever when it comes to natural catastrophies. Some people get hurricanes, tornadoes & Tsnamies but we get high winds and earthquakes.

I Hope everyone is almost done for Christmas. Actually if you believe in Jesus Christ and that He was brought here to give His life for us that we can be forgiven and allow us to go to Heaven to live eternity, then you are ready. Just pray to God that you know that Jesus is your saviour and that you ask forgiveness for your sins. Then you are ready for Christmas. You can go buy gifts to celebrate if you want to, and feel guilty if you forgot someone on your list, but those simple words from your heart is all you need. The rest is just gravy. I think Christmas is too commercialized anyway. I love Christmas, don't take me wrong, but I think there is much too much stress involved. It takes away from the meaning of Christmas. If you want to give a gift, and cannot afford one, make one from old scraps of yarn, or bake a batch of cookies.
I like to live the spirit all year long. Do random acts of kindness whenever possible, even if it is just letting a car in front of you in heavy traffic. (That drives my sister CRAZY) hehehehe
Well I took a nap this afternoon and woke up at 5:00. Now it is time to get ready for work again.
I hope everyone has a great week and stay safe!!

Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.
Your home is your refuge.

Watoto

I saw this group Wed night.
Watoto means "the children" in Uganda, Africa. They are orphans because of the Aids virus. Some of these orphans were found on the street wandering, or rescued from horrible abuse situations. They have lived a nightmare!! The Orphanage is raising money for houses for them. One mother will have 8 children in her small home. Go to their website to read about them.
I cried through half of the concert. They are FULL of energy bouncing around that stage yelling out their chants.
I signed up to sponsor a girl. Ok Leslie, between you and I we are going to help the world!! HAHAHAHA
If you ever get the chance to see these children, do yourself a great favor and go see them!! There is no charge for the concert, but they do pass the basket and then have a table to "sponsor" children if you'd like. (I liked). If I could, I would've taken two home with me right then and there!! Someone said I had no room for them, but heck, they have nothing now, my place would be a MANSION to them!
They were GREAT!!

The tears happen:
Endure, grieve, and move on.
The only person who is with us our
entire life, is ourselves.
LIVE while you are alive.

All decked out

 

I love my little Christmas tree!
I love sparkle. Leslie calls it my "inner crow"! I buy little sequined boxes I find and put them under the tree for more sparkle. I have made most of my decorations, and they all have sequins and sparkle! I have sparkly Christmas Earrings, and scarves and blouses. I guess I should have been in show business, only I have no talent!
I stayed home from work again because of my cold. It landed in my chest and I have been hacking and blowing my nose all day.
I'll be better tomorrow. I better be! 

 
 

Injured Seagull

 


While I was out training some new Drivers, I came across an injured seagull.

The poor gal had a wing broken nearly off, and she was hobbling around. We saw an immature eagle swoop down to get her, and she hobbled to a log. Well I couldn't sit there and watch, so I grabbed my camera and jumped off the bus to try and save her. Of course I couldn't get near her, but I got pretty close and started yelling at the eagle! The eagle started to dart at me then decided I was a bit too big to pick on, so he flew away to the nearest telephone pole.
I called the police department to report it to the wildlife resuers, and they were too busy to call around and they told me that the animal control was off today.
So I decided to call my sister to see if she could call around for help because I didn't have a phone book. I guess I woke her up, because she sounded drousy, and when I told her the story, she chuckled and hung up! Hmmmpppfff! Fine, she feeds all those cute little critters in her back yard, but she wouldn't come help a poor injured seagull! In her defense I talked with her tonight and she said she fell asleep this afternoon and dreamt that I called her and told her there was a sick bird or something like that. When I told her, she felt bad.

In the picture you can barely see the Eagle right at the top of the tree lin hovering to swoop down to the seagull. 

Forgive now those who made you cry.
You might not get a second time.

What month are you?

I saw this over at CJ's

Your Birth Month is February

Peaceful and harmonious, you seek the gentle side of life. Your warmth and consideration touches many. Your soul reflects: Purity, modesty, and faithfulness Your gemstone: Amethyst Your flower: Iris Your colors: Purple, yellow, and light blue

What Does Your Birth Month Mean?

Well They didn't get my colors right at all!
I love black, red, teal, white, kelly green!

Laugh often, long and loud.
Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh,
spend lots and Lots of time with HIM/HER.

Oooops!!

Step Ten:
Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Well I am totally embarrased!
I was going out of my house and looked to my right and there it was!!
My bag with the red scarf in it!
I looked everywhere when I came back last night but it wasn't there! But of course it was, I just didn't see it!
I am really glad I didn't jump to conclusions and make a scene and blog about how MAD I was or wanting revenge for the little thief! heeheeheehee
I guess it was an eye opener for everyone to be careful this shopping season and hide the parcels and lock your doors. I thought it was too unreal to happen so smooth and so quick!!
EGADS, what will I be like in another 10 years??!!

I woke up this morning feeling HORRIBLE! I have a really sore throat, into my ears, and took some Theraflu, now I am going to eat some soup and garlic bread then Teraflu and back to bed!!

Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,whatever.
Never let the brain get idle.
"An idle mind is the devil's workshop."
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

SNOW!!!

We got SNOW!!
Not this much, but about 1/2 inch. Just enough to be cold and white, and it hasn'r melted.
It will more than likely be gone by tomorrow. I hope so anyway. I am training 4 new bus drivers and I would feel alot safer on regular pavement and not icy and snowy!!

I went to Walmart tonight to buy a quick something on the way to a birthday party, and locked the car and went in the store. I got to the register and realized I left my wallet at home so I had to drive back to Coupeville (10 miles) to get it. When I got in the car I noticed the gift bag wasn't on the seat where I left it (like a dummy)! I DID lock the car, and it DOES have an alarm, but this person was quick and slick! They stole the pretty gift bag with a hand made red sparkly scarf in it and a hand made birthday card with a photo of my kitty wearing a stick-on birthday hat. Total value about $10.00. So it wasn't a big loss, but it makes me feel very vulnerable to have someone steal something out of a locked car with an alarm within 10 minutes!!!
SHEESH! I don't wish bad things to the person, in fact I sure hope the person that gets the red scarf appreciates the love that was put in to making it, and I sure hope it keeps that person warm on a cold wintry night! In fact I giggle thinking that I could very easily see that scarf on the street. It wasn't made from a pattern, and I haven't seen one like it anywhere.
If I see it, I will go up to that person and tell them what a beautiful scarf that is, and someone must really love them to make it for them!! hehehehe
I just pray that the thief will repent and not steal from anyone again.
I forgive that person.
Maybe someone saw that person and scared them straight.
I pray God will intervene and have something nice happen to that person to give that person guilt and do nice things from now on. (That'll serve them right)!
Y'all stay warm and enjoy FRIDAY!!

Man's way leads to a hopeless end --
God's way leads to an endless hope.

Another Dentist visit!

I had a Dentist appointment today and they asked where the Monkey was! I forgot about Monkey Nuts!! I went into the room and was wearing my pony tail clip on hairpiece and it would hurt if I laid my head on it so I said don't laugh, and whipped the pony tail off. I thought the assistant was going to choke to death!! The Dentist came down the hall and asked what the commotion was all about, and we told him. He said he wish he could wear one as he was nearly bald. I told him he couldn't because he needed hair to clip it on to, and he proved me wrong! I told Char to get my purse, and I got out my camera!! We all had a laugh on that one!! I made a bunch of copies and I made a Christmas card out of one of them and I am sending them to him. I used the one that does not show his face to ensure privacy! But....I have the original!! Mwahahahahahaha!!
This is a small town, so I could have much fun with this!!
We were in the Fire Department together for about 15 years, so we are used to joking around.
Nothing like being in the Dentist chair and having your pagers go off and the patient AND the Dentist take off!! Well those days are over. I cannot move that fast anymore!!
Tomorrow is hump day! Humptydumpty!!

Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(keep this In mind if you are one ofthose grouches;)

This is so wrong!

Well Monday morning is here and I make my bed and get dressed and trudge around the house and walk into my bedroom to put my makeup on and see THIS!! How RUDE!! at least he can wait until I go to work to do this! He is just rubbing it in that I Have to go to work so he can have this life of luxury while he just SLEEPS all day! HMMMMPPPFF!!






I got this email this morning and thought it was hilarious!!
An old couple were having dinner at a restaurant.
Toward the end of their meal the husband leaned over and asked his wife, "Do you remember the first time we had sex together over fifty years ago? We went behind this very tavern where you leaned against the back fence and I made love to you.""Yes, she said, "I remember it well.""Ok," he said, "How about taking a stroll around there again and we can do it for old time's sake?""Oh Charlie, you old devil, that sounds like a crazy, but very good idea!"A police officer sitting in the next booth overheard the couple's conversation and, having a chuckle to himself, thought, "I've got to see these two old timers having sex against a fence. I'll just keep an eye on them so there's no trouble." So he followed them.They walked haltingly along, leaning on each other for support, aided by walking sticks. Finally they got to the back of the tavern and made their way to the fence. The old lady lifted her skirt and the old man dropped his trousers. She leans against the fence, the old man moved in. Suddenly they erupted into the most furious sex that the policeman had ever seen. The spectacle continued for about ten minutes.Finally, they both collapsed, panting, on the ground.The policeman is amazed. He thought, for sure, he had learned something about life that he didn't know.
After about half an hour of lying on the ground recovering, the old couple struggled to their feet and put their clothes back on.The Policeman, still watching, was truly amazed. "I've got to ask them what their secret is, he vows.
As the couple passed him, he said to them, "Excuse me folks, but that was something else. You must've had a fantastic sex life together. Is there some sort of secret to this?
"The old man said, voice noticeably fatigued "Well, fifty years ago that wasn't an electric fence".

The Day after Thanksgiving...

I was washing my linens and when I was making my bed my two cats decided to help me as usual! I finally shooed them off and put the comforter on and Elliott was a pounce ahead of me! He thinks this is so much FUN!!




I am sitting around not doing a danged thing! I was going to go shopping but it is stormy today so sitting around the house doing chores and nibbling on turkey sounded like the thing to do! 'Cept I am having turkey farts! You know the kind....silent and sneaky! I better stay home from my AA meeting tonight. WAIT!! I'll go and because they are silent, no body will know it was me...'cept probably everyone there will be doing the same thing and we all will die of asphixiation! HAHAHAHA "Mysterious natural gas kills 40 in Oak Harbor"!!

Well time to go nibble some more!

Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam)
she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it
both times!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

My two kitties helping me blog!!

Well it is 11:30 on Thanksgiving Eve.
I went to Church tonight and took my Mexican friend Maria and another friend Sheryl. Maria said she wouldn't understand anything, but I told her to go and feel Jesus in her heart. As we were singing our Praise songs, I noticed she was swinging and clapping louder than I was and she was smiling! The Pastor asked for any testimonies of anyone that had anything to be thankful for this year. My friend Steve (Sheryl's husband)told about his healing of a stroke he had in March then I told about my healing of getting off of insulin in march! We had communion, and she understood what that meant. On the way home Maria said with tears that she loved me and so does Saul (her husband)and her two sons Aaron and Chris. She said they love me like a mom! We all got to crying happy tears.
I got home around 9:00 and noticed a package on my doorstep! It was a card and a coffee mug with a picture of a darling little kitten with a butterfly on it's nose and a butterfly in the mug. The card was signed "For all that you do, we are thankful for you". It was signed by the buswash guys!! I was their supervisor for years and someone else took over their supervision this Summer because I have way too much to do. Well that got more happy tears flowing!!

How cute is this!!??

I am sitting here feeling full of love!! I remember so many other Thanksgiving Eve's when I was bartending and everyone in the bar was neglecting their chores and running to Safeway for pumpkin pies!! Whew, I am so glad I am not a drunk any more!
I have alot to be thankful for this year!!
I have my Faith!!
My sobriety!!
I have my health back
I have a sister that loves me
I have a brother that loves me
two nephews and a niece that love me and they all are healthy!
Numerous friends
a great Church
a great job
a house that is paid for
two loving healthy cats
a great car
a boss that loves me
people that work with me actually LIKE me!
All my friends on the blogging world!
sigh, life is goooood!
I sure hope everyone has a Happy and safe Thanksgiving!!

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST
PHILIPPIANS 4:13

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Does anyone have their favorite leftover turkey recipes they want to share? Or for that matter, what are your favorite Thanksgiving recipes???
I'm taking a spiral ham to my sister's, and I am to bring the sweet potatoes (which nobody likes) and deviled eggs.
I like to make the deviled eggs mixing the yokes with mayonnaise, dry mustard, a dab of rice wine vinegar, a wee sprinkle of curry powder, salt, pepper and celery salt.

My sweet potato casserole is:

Filling
3 Cups cooled mashed sweet potatoes
1 Cup Splenda for Baking (I cut calories when I can)
1/2 Cup Butter
2 Eggs
1 teaspoon Vanilla
1/3 Cup Milk
Topping
1 Cup Brown Sugar (no substitute yet)
1/2 Cup Flour (I use whole wheat pastry flour)
1/3 Cup Butter
1 Cup Chopped Walnuts

Mix separately.
Pour filling greased baking dish
cover with topping
bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degree oven.

This tastes more like a dessert than a vegetable.

I might try a new one:
layer cooked and sliced sweet potatoes with peeled and cut tart apples, 1/2 cup diced dried apricots, 1/2 cup crushed pineapple w/juice, 1/2 cup brown sugar, sprinkle a little lime juice and zest and sprinkle top with bread crumbs.
Bake for 1 hour at 375 degrees.

Anyone have any better ideas?

PASSING
SCHOOL
ZONE
TAKE
IT
SLOW
LET
OUR
LITTLE
SHAVERS
GROW

Burma Shave

Was it good for you?

Well that went FAST!!
Did we just have a weekend? Hmmm, I went to my meeting on Friday then to the retreat and came home about midnight. I woke up Saturday feeling like crap, so I decided to stay home from the rest of the retreat. I did my laundry and house chores, then cooked the ham and went to the banquet (Mary Lou didn't go like I knew she wouldn't).
There were about 100 people there and we had a BLAST! Two great speakers.
I got home about 10:00 then went to Church this morning and came home and lay down to read about 1:30 and woke up about 7 tonight!!
It is now 11:00 and time for bed. WHAAAAA?
Have a great Monday!

CAR
IN
DITCH
DRIVER
IN
TREE
THE
MOON
WAS
FULL
AND
SO
WAS
HE.

Burma Shave

Ahhhh, it's Friday evening!!

Whew! It's been a long week, and I am home for about 20 minutes then I run into Oak Harbor to meet a friend for dinner, then AA, then drive to Greenbank and join some Church gals for a mini retreat, then run home to sleep about midnight, then back there in the morning, then run to Mary Lou's to take her to an AA banquet. WHEW!!
That picture is kinda how I feel. I love my life, the things I do, and I cherish my alone times for rest!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!! 

BOTH
HANDS
ON
THE
WHEEL
EYES
ON
THE
ROAD
THAT'S
THE
SKILLFUL
DRIVER'S
CODE
Burma Shave

Helping out at the Transit Office.

 
 
Monkey Nuts got to go to work with me today with his new hat and scarf I made for him because it is COLD today!!
Helping Craig in Dispatch.

 
 
Giving Frank, the Operations Manager some advice.

 
 
Terry the Dispatcher is smitten with him.

 
 
Showing the technician how to fix the copy machine.

 
 
Helping with the layout of a new schedule.

 
 
Martha the Director showed him how to read the new schedule.

 
 
I took him out to drive a bus.

 
 
He likes riding the bus.
 
 
He met Frenchy and learned how to change the oil in the buses.

 
 
With all the excitement of the two days Monkey Nuts just cannot sleep wondering where he will go to next!!