SURPRISE.....IT'S CATURDAY...AGAIN!!!!

Appalled????? I think NOT!! Sexy little furry feline!!!

Ya have to start 'em YOUNG!!!! So they can master the "night attack!"

I wondered where my earrings went1!! You can "keep 'em!"

Well....you may be broke...but look at all that "cuteness!"

OK...I won't tell you again..."STOP PLAYING WITH THE CAR!"

I told you NOOOOOOOO...do not add Glenn Beck!

Now you look like my cardiologist!

You were right...what else can I say!

Well, Saturday...er Caturday is here....but Wimbledon is taking the center stage right now. We have no solid plans for this holiday weekend, but we did buy a BUNCH of fireworks to set off with the neighbors.

Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Fourth of July!! The temps are supposed to be through the roof..so we may have to be jumping in the neighbor's pool as well. I shall return.........LATER..............

*****P.S. Theson finally posted to Past the Velvet Rope, after a three month absence. It was my fault...as he has been helping me through all the hospitalizations and medical issues. Check it out, he has a lot to cover, but it will take him a few weeks. He did manage to save the links he wanted to post, so give him time. Thanks!


DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY: PAST THE VELVET ROPE (FRIDAY POSTINGS)

Thanksgiving Traditions...times past!

Growing up, Thanksgiving was, of course, a family event. The one thing about the family I speak of, is that everyone was OLD!! My parents adopted us when they were in their late 40's, and all their relatives (cousins) were elderly, single and smelled like sachet. Envision, little old ladies, dressed in black, orthopedic shoes and the handkerchief stuffed up their sleeves. They were not happy to be around small children at all, and our place was to be "out of sight" for most of the day. No problem there, we enjoyed Macy's Christmas Parade on TV, while they all bickered in the kitchen, as to how and what to do to the BIRD! I vaguely remember, each old lady taking turns with a match to singe the hairs off the turkey, each thinking the other had not done a good enough job. My mother didn't cook - she was doing good to boil a pan of water for her instant coffee, so she stood by and let the others prepare the feast.

True to tradition, there was a "kid's table", so the adults would not have to deal with our lovely selves. No problem there, we weren't overly enthused by them either.
After the feast was completed, and the dishes washed (we had a dishwasher - which no one knew how to use), the elderly, bloated cousins had gone home...we all gathered in the den, to watch Mom and Dad address all their Christmas cards. I don't remember anyone being excited about watching football then...if there was such a thing in the late 50's! This tradition lasted till I left home at 18, and I'm sure probably a few years after that too.

After I moved out, I never had a Thanksgiving dinner with them again. I celebrated with my friends and had a truly wonderful time. Thanksgiving 1974 was my first attempt at the feast, all by myself. My future husband and I were living together (oh the shock!), and that is when I discovered that you could READ my turkey when it was done baking. Aha! You have to remove this packet of "gizzards" - why didn't someone tell me that. Oh well, it was still divine.

From that time on, we celebrated the holiday with my husband's parents and his family. Usually, this event took place at his parents - and we would stay overnight the night before, so I could help my MIL with everything in the morning. **I have to note, I had the BEST mother-in-law in the entire world. My kids were her favorites - out of 11 grandchildren at the time.

My husband was one of four boys - and total grandchildren now would be 14. My MIL passed away in 1985, and the tradition stopped there. From that point on, I fixed the meal at my house, and whoever came was fine, but usually, it was just my husband and our two kids (he had 2 sons from a prior marriage).

As I stated, even if no one comes around, I still fix the entire meal - as we love leftovers, and there is plenty to give to my fellow single neighbors. I spoke with my oldest daughter this morning, and explained to her, it is not in me to just wake up like any other morning and NOT prepare this meal. It would drive me over the edge I believe. I have to perpetuate MY TRADITION. They may call this OCD I'm afraid.

So, I have successfully completed my Thanksgiving tradition for 2008 and am satisfied. I spoke with theson in Egypt via Skype - and all is well.

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all !!

Let the Christmas holiday season begin....argh!!! I can put my tree up now and start the decorating - woohoo!

...deaths and holidays - very tough

This has been a bad weekend/early week so far. Three deaths of good friends, which puts me in the kitchen and cooking more than usual. Between casseroles and cakes I am the bomb! Unfortunately one of the funerals is going to be on July 4th, which puts the end to any holiday plans. I have volunteered to drive my friend's (quadriplegic) van in order for him to attend his great uncles funeral. The usual "designated" driver had events he could not cancel. No big deal - they are good people who have been impacted by their family members passing.

Theson will be coming home today and I know he is "down in the dumps" a little as things have not been going well for him (in certain areas of his life.) But he is young, intelligent, charming and working on the social skills and there will be light at the end of the tunnel for him. So I can foresee us on the deck watching TV and me consuming "the wine" again. Love my Cafe Zin. Before he left for Salt Lake City, theson, thedaughter and I had a long gabfest on the deck. It is a lovely place to spend a cool evening. We have lights on the table umbrellas, coolers, and a TV, what more can a person ask? Maybe we will get some fireworks and set a few off later on the 4th.

To all - HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY - and stay healthy. TTFN.

It's beginning to look a lot like....EASTER?????

Every few years, Mother Nature likes to take a jab at the Easter Holiday. All those who make their once (or twice) a year church visit in the Easter finery are smacked down...BY SNOW!!!! I remember many years ago, approximately 1971 or 1972, all the "hypocrites" showing up at church in light pastel linen clothing and beautiful new hats, despite the fact that there was 4 inches of snow on the ground. People were falling on slick sidewalks and heaven forbid they would cover up their finery with a WINTER COAT!!! I found it rather hilarious and relished the hypocrisy of the entire situation. Well, here we are again! Snow is so very invigorating, but I must admit - I LOVE SPRING AND SUMMER!!!

I enjoyed a nice dinner at BDub's last night with my oldest daughter and her husband (we shall now name THEPETE), and thegrandson. Slyght and Chumpass joined us after they left the movie "Grindhouse." A very good time was had by all. I had to leave before everyone, "mother" duties such as bathing and getting thegrandson ready for bed. I just cannot get warm with this cold snap that has hit us. And being a smoker - no comments please - I hate that we are treated like pariahs and have to go out in the inclement weather to "light up!" If we are to be ostracized, then proper facilities should be available, so that we do not have to freeze or get soaked to enjoy our own vice. A separate enclosed area is not asking to much. But this is not a black and white issue and leads to other arguments about BIG BROTHER! I will save that for later.

We are all having Easter dinner at "theDonalds" today and have to get my potatoes and cake made here soon. Everyone stay healthy and hopefully Spring is "just around the corner!" TTFN.

57 days and counting.