Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY BLUE MOON EVE...

I am dressed all in blue and want to share something else blue with you...



 



 

This is as far as I get for uploading you'll have to wait for the rest of the story...

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON...

Happens tomorrow night!

It also happens to be a lunar eclipse and a full moon to boot!

It's also reported that it is a totally stressful time for those who are affected by the moon...



...;? 


Facts I thought you were dying to know:

The blue moon is supposed to happen every 2.72 years...the last one being in May 2007. The next one to occur will be in Aug. 2012.

The blue color is supposed to be caused from the pollution in the atmosphere.

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, there are typically twelve named full moons every year. The exception to this is, of course, the somewhat rarer Blue Moon.

Those twelve named full moons are:
  • January – Wolf Moon
  • February – Snow Moon
  • March – Worm Moon
  • April – Pink Moon
  • May – Flower Moon
  • June – Strawberry Moon
  • July – Buck or Sturgeon Moon
  • August – Fruit or Barley Moon
  • September – Harvest Moon
  • October – Hunters Moon
  • November – Beaver Moon
  • December – Cold or Long Nights Moon
These Full Moon names originated with the Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States. The full moons allowed the tribes to keep track of the seasons by giving names to each recurring full Moon. Basically, the entire "month" would be named after the full moon occurring that month.


I thought that was very interesting...especially the Cold & Long Nights were are suffering with lately! Doesn't make one want to go out and party...


There isn't any ritual that one is supposed to follow in a "blue moon" situation but some suggest one change their depression from the last year and think positively...maybe with meditation [or was it medication]?


I'd rather party...


After all it's only once in a blue moon!


BillyRoo escaped to find a party in the city...


PoD & Trebor are nursing sick children suffering from colds...


Thumber's running around the house crazy like...

Maybe I'll join her!


Now to find something blue to wear...


WISHING YOU ALL...

A HAPPY NEW YEAR


...Make It A Safe One!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

F -ING CREEPY!


Just woke [3:30am] from one of the most creepiest dream I have had in a longgggg time!


I seldom have nightmares but when I do, they can be real scary...gee, I wonder why?

This one was about an old memory of the haunted house half a block from my childhood house.

We called it the "Haunted Mansion"...it kind of looked like the run down mansion they use on the "Crypt Keeper's" TV Series/comic books.

This place was the usual rundown abandoned type building that was long overdue for removal. The kids in our neighborhood dared each other to go in there alone, after dark. The group I hung out with were no different. To my recollection none of us ever did. I know I never had the courage!

Well last night in my dream... I did!



I was all alone and was looking for this bomb [no I don't know why]. In my flashlight beam there were creepy cobwebs everywhere! As I was searching I had this horrible feeling of dread, like someone/thing was in there with me...following me! I was trying to be quiet but the floor boards were too creaky. I even felt goosebumps on my arms... the hairs standing on end.



This old place was huge...never ending, rooms kept changing. I know I didn't want to go into the basement! As my search continued this creepy feeling felt like it was getting closer & closer.

But for what ever reason I needed to find this bomb before it blew up?


Somehow I ended up in this falling down old shack out back of the place and had finally found it.

When something grabbed me from behind!

Happily I woke up!


Now as I sit here recalling this wonderful memory [sarcasm] I find that there was an actual haunted place and A BOMB in my childhood.

Why this memory...?

I don't think the house was that big, but as a child [of 11 or 12], it looked huge. It had lots of dead trees and bushes to the help with the atmosphere of being haunted. It probably had some creepy murder story to go with it but I don't remember there being one.

The true part was the bomb!

Back in the early 60's we used to be able to get 3 candies for a penny. It was pretty hard to come by that penny...if you saw one on the ground you dove to pick it up! That penny meant 3 candies...can you imagine what 5 cents was? Us kids would then take this large amount of money, get the candy then hang out in our hide-a-away to eat it. Which by the way candy was a rarity and generally forbidden! All extra money was supposed to go to buy necessary things like school supplies & such. Time were tough!

Our hide-a-way was this old shack out back of the haunted house. In this shack was this big tank that was laying on its side on blocks. It was kind of long and narrow, with a pointy end. It was long enough that 4 or 5 kids could sit on it at once. It was a great perch...easy to get off and on.

We used this place for quite a few years before we found out that it was a missle of some sort and it was still active! I remember watching them come and remove it.

Why there was a missle in this shack was a mystery and how it got there was never explained...to my knowledge.


Why this thought?

I have been watching some scary shows [re-runs of both black xmases] lately so I can see the haunted mansion...

But why the bomb?



I think I'll go back to bed...


Hopefully dream about "sugar plums" instead...


Although, that wouldn't be good for my sugar levels...;)

Monday, December 28, 2009

XMAS PHOTOS...PART 4?



 

 
This wreath is copied off of "Peaches" site and is a great way to use up an over abundance of balls [due to no big tree] or make from new. All one has to remember is to make sure the loops in the balls are firmly glued in place [right PoD] so that they stay strung together.



 
My place is always dusty no matter what I do about it so there should have been lots of "dust motes" available for a photo shoot. This is the only one that stands out as a good "maybe". The only other orb of interest was outside. The shots are one right after the other.


 

 

 

 

 

FINALLY MADE IT THROUGH!!!!

Hope it didn't make your eyes as buggy as mine!


Will be trying to upload photos of PoD's beautiful "Winter Land" decor next...?
WILL THE LUCK HOLD...?
 



 

 

 


THIS IS FAR AS I GO for now...


AGAIN...stay tuned for what ever I can manage
XMAS 2009 CONTINUING...






 
 
 
 

That's all I can do for now...


I do have a few more of the office and the movie room


Again I have uploading problems




IT'S PROBABLY ME...;(


Stay tuned...

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Attempt #2...







 

 

 

 

To be continued...not going to push my luck






THIS IS ALL THAT BLOGGER WILL LET ME UPLOAD?

MORE TO COME...

Saturday, December 26, 2009

I'M LATE, I'M LATE...
In wishing all my blogger friends and lurkers a Merry Xmas!

Like a child I couldn't sleep last night...you'd think Santa was coming to town

1:30 am, saw 2:30 roll by...still couldn't hear him

Next thing you I knew it was 5:45!

We had planned to be at PoD's place by 7 and I still had the precooked potatoes to fry up for our pot luck breakfast!

Not to mention have a shower...

The rest of the day went the same way with no time to post

Back to waking early this morning...4:30

With hopes of being able to post my Xmas pics before Valentines day...


BillyRoo did manage to have a few words with the computer and hopefully it responds...






STILLLLLLLLL NOT YET!!!!!


GETTING TICKED!





BUT YOU ALL HAVE
A MERRY XMAS ANYWAYS




and don't worry I'll find a way to bore you will all these pics soooooon [I hope]

Thursday, December 24, 2009



ITS DUCKING COLD HERE!


EVEN THE GEESE DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!


Been having a hard time downloading photos...it let me do this one but nothing else?

It sucks not being able to show my new Xmas layout this year!

I even got the decorating outside done...got pics of that to show too!


Need help from BillyRoo...who happened to get home yesterday [me happy he's safe].


Between that and the bitchin' cold here, things are all set for Santa...

So have a happy Xmas Eve Day.....


EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE 
&
HAPPY HOLIDAY

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A MEME...
22 THINGS ABOUT ME ON XMAS ...or something like that


This comes from Blue's Blog "My True Colors" 


I love these types of lists and am always willing to play...but know that there won't be too many short answers...;)




1. What is your favorite Christmas movie/s?
 


Traditional: "A Christmas Carol" ...the first one that is in black & white is my fav but I like all of the new versions because of the message that it gives. As kids we would watch this shown right before we would leave for Xmas Eve at the log cabin. It was kind of a ritual.

Scary: "Black Christmas" both versions not crazy on the gore part.

2. What is your LEAST favorite Christmas movie?
 

It's a toss up between "The Grinch That Stole Christmas" ...I hate anything by Dr. Seuss! and "The Black Christmas" cartoon

3. What is your favorite Christmas Song?


Another toss up..."O Holy Night" & "Little Drummer Boy" sung the original versions by tenors
Do love to rock to the up beat ones!
Soulful: Tunes by Aaron Neville
4. What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?


Three that drive me nuts...
"Rap Crap"
Pop groups that mess up the old sounds...I don't care if they want to do their way!
Redneck Country

5. What is your favorite Christmas drink?
 
Mott's Clamato Juice...straight up!
Any time of the year...only it's bad [high salt] for me. So I guess you can say that I  SHOULD  only drink it at Xmas...;) Hate eggnog!

6. What is your favorite Christmas memory?

Another toss up...

Old memories:

My family gathering, on my mom's side of the family, at the log cabin [on 109 st & 118 Ave which is now a historical building] Xmas eve. Which ended after my grandmother died...we drifted apart...;(

But as a child who was brought up in a low income lifestyle, it has to be the generosity of my dad's employers, Canada Packers [in Edmonton, AB] at Christmas time. They gave all of their employees a big hamper box full of food. Then hosted two parties. One at their plant which was a supper, movie, sing-a-long and a box of chocolates from Santa. Step mom made sure we didn't get many of the chocolate but when my real mom was alive she would. The other thing the company did was host a movie at the Capital Theater down town and then give out expensive gifts. 14 yrs was the last gift age. That was the only time we kids got to see the richness of the holiday.

New memories:

All of MY family together!

7. What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?

Old memory...
This real pretty red dress my mom made that didn't look like my sisters! She had a tendency to dress us like twins...which we weren't [there was 18 months between us] So something different and in the color I liked was the best. In the 50-60's toys weren't that plentiful. Neither were clothes.

Now...
The looks of happiness on my children and grand children's faces during that day!

8. What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?

One family gathering at the log cabin, when I was 7, I got a hand knitted [ugly] sweater from an aunt [name draw] who thought I was three sizes smaller when everyone else that night got a toy or something fun. The happy part was I couldn't wear Ugly sweater!

9. What do you LOVE about the holidays?

The crow in me says all the shiny decorations but mostly the good cheer everyone has for each other, including strangers.

10. What annoys you about the holidays?

Two things...

The stress that it brings to those who have no one to share it with...one is made to feel like it's not a good thing to be alone.

The greediness!

11. Do you prefer star or angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?

A Star usually...depends on my theme

12. What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?

My Exes grand mother's fruit cake. The hardest cake I have ever made...one really needs muscle to stir that cake! But Yummy! Don't dare make it now...too many things in it that are bad for me...;(

13. Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmas time?

Not sure what a Who is?
Definitely not a Grinch!
Don't like other Grinches either!

14. Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?

Love the work that some people put into them especially the one that run in time with the music. Generally hate the ones that have to light every inch of the place. Makes one want to put sun glasses on. I find them tacky.
I prefer simplicity.
I like to see the homes decorated for the daytime hours...not just at night.
I do like looking at theirs knowing that I'm not paying their power bill...;)
My all time favorite has to be the "Candy Cane Lane" in Edmonton...granted I haven't seen that many.
A favorite time is driving around town with the grand kids...maybe one year they will be interested in the lights...;)
PoD has finally joined the spirit this year...made Trebor put them up in the fall...;)


Do wished it was the same light show at Halloween...BIG SIGH!!





15. Santas at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?

Creepy for me now but as a kid he was the greatest!
As an over protective parent/grand parent it makes me wonder about the "might be creepo" lurking in that suit....:0
Great job for the good ones! Sad to say whether its wise now a days to let your kid sit on the lap of a stranger, talk to him then take a candy/present from him?

16. Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?

Depends on my mood. Don't normally receive many [probably cus I don't send] and the ones I cherish the most were from Buttons. Also depends on the finances. I prefer email.

17. What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?

This is one time in the year that people make a point to be nice to each other!

And Santa comes to town...;)

18. What is the worst thing about Christmas?

The HUMBUGS...joy should be in the giving! It's not hard to offer a smile even if you can't manage to utter a joyful sound!

19. When do you put the tree up and take it down?

Put up:
Right after Remembrance Day...now that I have no one to tell me otherwise. The Ex stressed not before Dec. 12th!

Take down:
Right after Ukrainian Xmas [Jan 7]...in honor of my friends & family in-laws.


Everyone knows that's when Valentines show up...;)


20. Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your truelove to give to you?

If I HAD a true love he would know that I need all the help that I can get...I'll take the maids! They don't need to be "a milking".
But then he would probably LIKE that idea, so I'll take the five golden rings...
for just in case he strays...;)

21. What is your favorite smell at Christmas time?

Xmas dinner! Hate the turkey but love the smell. Next are mincemeat or pumpkin pie aromas

Hate the cinamon pine cones that they sell in the stores! The ones they throw in the fireplace for that nice aroma...makes me gag!


22. What would make you happy at Christmas this year?

Two things:

Just being with my family and know that they are all safe and sound!
That would be the best present for me...


And wishing that there could be peace on earth that could last for more than just one day!



So now you know all my important Xmas facts...;)



How about YOURS!

Friday, December 18, 2009

22 YEARS!

It's hard to believe its been that long!

 Who knew that something, that was started as a hobby, would turn out to be a way to make a living [ I still wonder about that living part]! Who knew that I would even have stayed in a business that long and it has been long!

Some of it was enjoyable but mostly hard work both mentally and physically!


How did I get started you ask?


22 years ago I was paid for my first hand painted sign by the Wright friends...Nellie and her sister-in-law. It was an Xmas gift [sign] to their husbands for their seed growing operation.

With that sign and getting involved in the community/theater, lead to my being able to make this business work.


My Ex did have a hand in it in the beginning but ended up with me doing most of it alone after we computerized it in 1991. He did invent some handy machines to help make my work easier [ so he could have more time to rest ] so I guess I have to be thankful for that part of his help.


This is a two person operation.


All of the designing and estimating work is done by me. PoD helps with some of the drawings, but it isn't really one of her interests. She does the majority of the cutting and weeding [sticker preparation] and gets it ready for me to install on whatever substance being used. She is also the book keeper! I suck at that!


Numbers and me, just don't get along!

I did great in math in school [many, many, many years ago] and should be able to handle things. Apart from being able to manage the bank balancing, figuring out the tax crap goes right over my head! It doesn't help that every day that goes by it gets worse & worse...;(


I have truly enjoyed most of my work and can say that I'm please with how they have turned out. I hate the ones that last and last and last...;)

I do have ones that were made that still make me shudder! I can honestly say I do try hard to provide something the customer wants and still find it hard to talk them out of it.

I have had the satisfaction of being told that I was right...;)


WEIRD NOTE...
I wasn't good enough to work in a sign shop in Kelowna, BC?

I had once applied for a job there and was told that I wasn't any good!

My hand painted lettering sucked!

I had to agree with them. It did and still does! Never had a steady hand? AND NO PATIENCE!

In the hand painting time it was always the Exes job to do the touch-ups...me too shaky!

Boy was I happy they invented vinyl cutting machines!



The other good part of this business is the fact that I am able to draw/design in the computer!

I'm proud of the fact that I am self taught! I guess at the age of 36 one is still not too old to learn a new trick...;)

It's trying to remember how that trick went that it gets hard...;)


Do I enjoy it?


It's not only signs that I do...it just pays the most. I do enjoy the design work...application, not so much.

What I enjoy the most is decorating for events and making props for them. Theater was the best...I LOVED designing/building/decorations...that is one of my dream fulfillments. My other dream was to be a window display designer. So I love to decorate my home and work place. It's kind of like display work.


Do I want to continue for how many more years?


Not sure?



Will I continue...?



WHAT ELSE AM I GOING TO DO?


I'm from the baby boomer era so there won't be much of a pension there!


If things continue with the lack of work, I might have to resurrect my white elephant [Jeep] and get a job as a Walmart Greeter in the town south of here!


I do threaten the place by telling it that I'm going to sell it...;)




ANYONE INTERESTED......;)



BUT FOR NOW...


I will be a good little train and keep a chugging...



I CAN DO IT...I CAN DO IT....



HAPPY ANNIVERSARY....to me...:)

Sunday, December 06, 2009

"BE DARING" "BE WILD" "BE BOLD"...


I spend most of yesterday and part of today struggling to decide whether I wanted to attack the mess in my storage room...talk about procrastination!


It's depressing...


One of my biggest rules [to myself] is put the stuff in the proper containers as I take it down!
This years was a "just get it out of sight" job!


Now I have to pay for it!


I do justify my storage room mess with a whiny "I was sick" but that still doesn't justify my lack of respect for my collection...;(


The cat's complaining about there being an obstacle course to get to her litter box...and maybe when I found it, I would empty it?


The big thing is getting it done before I have to take down for Xmas!



Because...


I have been having fun while procrastinating...


I'm decking the halls!



One of my most favorite things!



I love sitting in my softly lit room watching a movie and take in all of the sparkle around me!


I know I am part crow as I LOVE sparkly things!


My kids have always grown up living in an overly sparkily atmosphere at Xmas time!
I love to call it "Santa Work Shop".


This year I have added some darkness to my Xmas. I like to think it as more Gothic like.


They have added BLACK [I got a 14"] pine trees and balls [you big city people probably have already seen them].


I will be able to use them at Halloween time...more bang for the buck...:)


My only other addition to my decor this year is foil wrapping paper. Normally I prefer to use only burnable paper to wrap my gifts...easier on the fireplaces [which I don't have so why should I care?]. But this month has started out depressing [work shortage] and we are drawing names [except for the grand kids] to help keep costs down...which is okay with me.


The thing is the lack of wrapped presents!


I've solved that issue by wrapping empty boxes of different sizes with sparkly paper/ribbons and they are spread all over the place...tactfully of course.


I even put them outside...with dirty cat litter inside for a surprise to thieves and help hold in place during storms. I just throw them in the trash when the season is over.


Will add photos as soon as the Nasty Downloader lets me!


Still procrastinating...



But I was DARING, WILD & BOLD!
While decorating!



Today's pick is

"Cat's Cradle"...
"Time to untangle the knots.
Don't put it off any longer."


It's 6:12 pm...


Supper time.......



;)

Saturday, December 05, 2009

CAT COMFORT FORTUNES...


Yesterday's prediction came true..."things went my way"...for a change...:)


- Rush Order Guy finally picked up his big rush order [Oct. 29] today...BIG HURRAY!!!!


- A potential new customer...Creepy Hollow interested him and he just had to stop to look. It pays to have the big guy out there to create interest. The funny part is, when they ask, what is it, that I do? Guess I got to make the sign that says "Sign Manufacturer" bigger?


- NO ANNOYING TELEMARKETER CALLS!


- An order for 10 window decals...


- Checks in the mail...


- AND IT WAS FRIDAY...


How much better can that be...


Oh yah...I'm on the right side of the snow!



So today's prediction for me is........"Cat Suit"
"Be daring. Be wild. Be bold."


Never talked to PoD yesterday so I'm not sure how hers went?
Today for PoD is......"Caterpillar"
"Slow down. Take time to focus on the small stuff."


BillyRoo spends most of his waking hours gaming so I don't know how his went?
Heres his anyways..."Fat Cat"
"Be generous: share your abundance with others."

Hmmm, I'll have to talk to him about that one...;)


And todays newest entry...

Wilma: [thanks for playing]....."Angel Cat"
"Know that you're loved and protected."


Great card...hope it turns out for her!



When I do a card pull for someone else I concentrate on what I know of them [personally] or by my first impression when I say their name [strangers] or if I read their blog.



Anybody else want to play...?


I would have added the pictures of the cards but it seems the uploader refuses...?

Friday, December 04, 2009

FORTUNE TELLING A DIFFERENT WAY...


I enjoy tarot card reading...


Both PoD and I dabble in it a bit [okay a lot] and like to see how accurate these reading can be, whether it's a daily card pull or a weekly thing.


We mostly do the daily thing.


I like these one the best...



 
This is today's...






Would be nice if it happened.


This is what I chose for PoD's seeing as she is not working today [no work]...




BillyRoo says were silly...?

[His is "Catkin"..."Think about the positive qualities you've inherited from your family"]
How funny is that?

Want to know what yours is?

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

CREEPY HOLLOW IN SHOCK!


Yesterday I was amazed to see that it was snowing! Had decided to try to put my Halloween decor in order so I wasn't near any windows.


I shouldn't have been amazed because I had spoken to my sister on Sunday night and she said they had snow...I was gloating that we had none, so I must of cursed us!


I have been fighting this stupid cough, which the doc told me was my asthma acting up again. I've been holding off decorating outside [inside is almost all done] because of the wind. I can't breathe through a scarf as its difficult, not to mention it fogging up the glasses!


But my biggest concern this year is the condition of Creepy Hollow!


His outer layer is slowly being deteriorated by the elements and the arms are cracking. I have to support the arms with boards so they don't break off before I get a chance to fix him. My plans were to put him in the museum but the powers to be scrapped that idea.


Anyways...


I decided this year my Xmas theme is Santa. So I had promised Creepy that he would get a Santa suit to help keep the snow out and off him.


Happily light falling snow means there is no wind so Creepy got his coat and his set of lights...



I got some rest last night knowing that he was now protected again...for awhile


Until this morning!


Being a business I HAVE to keep my walks clear for the FEW customers I MIGHT have so out I went into the WINDY cold to shovel [7:00 am]...yes I wore my scarf.


This what I saw...


A look of horror on Creepy"s face...




Some A-HOLE had sat down on my rickety bench and PUKED in front of him!


Not once but TWICE!



NOT IMPRESSED!!!!!


Drunken idiot's tracks in the snow led directly to the NEIGHBOR'S place!


Don't know if it was he or she?


Do know they had a hard time walking!


Won't be too surprised if it was her, as I got to witness her drunken behavior Sunday morning at 6:00am as her friend struggled to get her [barefooted] to the door. She almost planted her face into my front display area while doing so, but managed to catch herself.


All I know is that I'm happy that it snowed enough to know who and that it was easy to scrape into the street! Not to be too overly gross [too late], I'm glad they hadn't had much to eat...


Creepy [& me] is happy that they didn't PUKE ON HIM!




NEVER A DULL MOMENT AROUND HERE...

?