A Perfect Week

As I may have mentioned in an earlier journal entry I am on vacation this week. This was a perfect week to take as vacation. I was able to hit all the after Christmas sales, and get all of my decorations put away until next year.  Although to be honest I didn't put out as many decorations this year as I have in the past.  Part of the reason is because I usually take the week of Christmas off and have additional time to do more decorating. 

Regardless though, what fun it is to sleep in each morning, leisurely enjoying a cup of hot coffee in the morning while reading the newspaper. I can make plans and go to lunch in the afternoons with friends or dinner in the evenings - which I have done both of already!

Basically this week I have no structure. I can do anything I want, whenever I want. It's very relaxing to say the least!

I have been able to spend extra time with my girls, who frankly seem a little stumped by my presence! They are loving the extra attention they are receiving though. I've taken them both on a couple of short jaunts about town, which they love!

I dropped in to see Madison and her parents yesterday, and took Madison a new pink clothes hamper that I found on sale. It will be perfect for her dirty clothes. (Danelle mentioned she was looking for one and I happened upon a buy of a lifetime!)

I bought a couple of bags of tulip bulbs to plant as soon as the ground thaws in a day or two. We never have really cold weather for long. Our climate is actually quite mild. Although it's been quite cold here the last day or so and snow is in our forecast for later tonight. We'll see how the local weathermen do with their prediction.

Well, that's all for now. I will write more either this evening or tomorrow. Right now, it's off to Wal-Mart!

Have a great day!

I Recommend It!

I feel compelled to let you all know about this great cold remedy that my sister, Kim told me about. 

First let me qualify Kim as an advisor of sorts.  She is a pharmacy technician - a good one, who knows her stuff.  She works for a major health insurance company and is up to date on all the latest.

If you feel like you are getting a cold, or even if you already have one try ZICAM COLD REMEDY NOSE GEL.  It's an over the counter product.  I've used the stuff a couple of times this fall/winter season and wouldn't be without it.  I keep it at work, in my purse and at home.  Once you feel like you are getting a cold or scratchy throat - USE IT! 

This stuff's the bomb!  :)

Madison's First Christmas

This was an extra special Christmas this year for my family because this was Madison's first Christmas. At 6 1/2 months old she is the apple of everyone's eye, and this proved to be a special time of year!

Christmas Eve I went to some friend's house and celebrated with their families. I've known these folks for about 30 years and my son grew up with their children. All through the 70's, 80's, 90's and now into the millenium, we have spent a lot of time together. Wonderful times, I might add. I feel so close to these people that I think of them as family. We had a big potluck dinner, and every one brought their favorite dish. Gosh, there was more food that you could imagine. We ate, we laughed, and we reminisced. What fun! I hated to see the night end.

Christmas Day I went to Steve and Danelle's house. They have it beautifully decorated for Christmas. The tree is magnificent! I supplied the dinner and we had ham, scalloped potatoes and broccoli salad. I took fresh whole Fuji apples with caramel dipping sauce for dessert.

While the ham was warming, Steve made us a cocktail and we went in around the tree and watched as Madison opened her gifts first, while we all took pictures. Oh! She got mad when Daddy took the ribbons away from her, trying to encourage her to rip open the paper on each package. It was so cute! The first sign of a strong- minded girl! Gee, I wonder who she gets that from? LOL!

After we opened our gifts I fed Maddie and Danelle set the table. Madison sat in her highchair beside me and watched patiently while the adults ate.

After dinner, we all retired around the TV and watched AMERICAN IDOL- WORLD competition. Madison fell asleep on my lap and I must admit that I dozed a bit too. After Madison was tucked into bed I made my exit.

Another Christmas is behind us, but we have a New Year to look forward to with lots of exciting times. I can hardly wait!

Happy New Year to each of you, and I hope that it is as blessed as mine is right now!

Broccoli Salad

BROCCOLI SALAD

 

3 large stalks of broccoli chopped

 ¾ cup sunflower seeds

1 bunch green onion, chopped

¾ cup chopped almonds

½ pound bacon fried, drained and crumbled

 ¾ cup golden raisins

 

 

DRESSING

1 ½ cups Mayonnaise

3 T. Vinegar

6 T. Sugar

Mix all together with dressing. Chill for several hours or overnight if possible.

 

Merry Christmas

Boy, have I been busy or what?  All that last minute shopping for little things - and the sales in some of the stores have been pretty good too.  I always think I'm done but end up finding at least one more gift for each person! 

I usually take the week of Christmas off, but I had to work it this year.  I have next week off though - so that I can rest!  LOL!

Steve, Danelle and Madison came over last evening after they finished up their last minute shopping.  Steve wanted to give Danelle his gift so that she could wear it on Christmas Eve, and he wanted me to see her open it.  He bought her a pair of beautiful 1/2 carat diamond earrings!  She was so surprised because he had her believing that he was buying her a Muppet collectible.  What a look on her face when she tore into that big box to find a small one inside!  She was so thrilled!  Madison sat on my lap the whole time trying to eat the wrapping paper - lol!

Well, I have to go into work early this morning so must be running.  I just wanted to wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas!  Be good to each other and don't forget to hug the ones you love!

Hugs to all of you!

Robyn 

Not Again!

My sister has told me for years that nothing bad ever happens to me because I am a good person and therefore have good karma. That compliment has always made me feel pretty good. But isn't karma, whether good or bad, all relative to some extent?

Yesterday was a beautiful day in the Pacific Northwest. With blue sky overhead and the sun beaming down, the temperature was in the mid-to high 50's. I put a roast on and decided to go outside and clean up some leaves. The weather was delightful and I was done before I knew it.

I had planned to go to the Mall after dinner to exchange a couple of Christmas items, but since the outdoor cleanup didn't take nearly as long as I thought, I decided to shower and run my errand now.

I found a parking place right outside the store, and figured that it wouldn't take me more than 15 minutes to exchange my two items and I'd be on my way home. I'd been so busy in the afternoon that I'd neglected to eat lunch, and now I was starved!

Throwing the car keys in my purse, I jumped out and ran around to the passenger side to retrieve my return items. Reaching for the door handle I realized all too soon that it was locked. In fact, the whole damned car was locked up tighter than a drum, with my purse sitting neatly on the front seat, the car keys lying on top of my purse as if mocking me. I couldn't believe this was happening to me again! Not more than a month ago I suffered at my own hands in much the same way. I immediately started to silently berate myself, but before I could get too emersed in my self-deprecation I saw the yellow flashing lights of Mall security!

To make a long story short, I was able to finally summon Mall security, who came to the rescue (or so I thought at the time). The young man tried to 'jimmy' the door open but to no avail. We had to resort to calling a professional.

Two hours and $46.95 later my car was open and I was walking into the store.

Trust me, karma is relative.

Rude Tranquility

I think the best time of the day is the morning. The early morning is my favorite time of day. I wake refreshed and while it seems the rest of the world is still sleeping, I am up very early making coffee and immediately start planning the day that lay before me.

I like to be the first one up because for some reason it gives me a sense of adventure, or so it seems. If someone has toilet papered someone's tree, I will be the first to see it; if a stray cat is roaming about I will be the first to feed it; if the bud of a flower begins to open I will be the first to witness it.

I'm alone for a while in my corner of the world, emersed in quiet peace and tranquility. It's a time I can pray and be one with my God; take the time to assess the world's problems without anyone interrupting me; reminisce about the joys and pain of the past or wonder about what the future holds. I can read another chapter in my book, or update my AOL journal.

And then I hear the patter of little paws, and around the corner my girls come running with their ears laid back, little bodies wriggling with excitement to greet me! They jump onto my lap, licking my face and knocking my book from my hands, vying for my full attention.

The peace and quiet was nice while it lasted, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Awesome

A friend emailed these awesome pictures to me, and I wanted to share them with all of you.  They are just breathtaking!  I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

Letter From The Heart

Yesterday I received a Christmas card from my one and only niece, Stacie. Within that card was another card in it's own little envelope neatly addressed to me. It read like this:

October 27, 2003

Aunt Robyn!

How the heck are you? I hope very well! I have been meaning to write to you for months. To tell you the truth, I did once. It never got mailed because I didn't have any stamps! It sat there so damn long I finally had to just throw it away. This is round 2. However, I still am lacking in the postage area. I am hoping this will help me remember! J Anyway, I am sure you want to know why I am writing to you-why I don't just call. That's because anybody can say thank you. I think it means more to take the time and write it. This way you will never doubt that I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

Earlier tonight, I was going through some stuff, and I came across the card you and Mom gave me from Grandma. I don't think I have ever had such a spectacular (did I spell that right?) surprise. I was not expecting that at all. Thank you. Thank you for thinking enough of me as a person, that you would trust me with something as special as Grandma's ring. I know you guys have not parted with much, if anything, of Grandmas. It just warms my heart to know that I am loved so much. Like I told my Mom, (also in a card) I think Grandma wanted me to have her ring for a reason. I think she wanted me to think of her often -and I do. That ring will never be mine. I will always consider it Grandmas. She sure does put a smile on my face a lot - I hope she can see it. I hope that I have made your day a little brighter too! It's just really important for me to let you know I appreciated what you have done for me.

Anyway, now that I have taken up half of your day with the book I just wrote to you-I should probably let you go!

Have a great day! Love ya!

Stacie

P.S.  I wasn't English major, so you will have to overlook any mistakes! And-these damn cards don't have spell check!

On the back of that little envelope read:

P.S.  I just now bought stamps - that's why it took so long!

Madison's First Christmas Picture With Santa

The Puppet

I bought the cutest hand puppet the other day!  It's a dog, wearing a Santa's hat, and he will "bark" out 3 different Christmas songs.  The cute thing about this toy is that you have to make the dog bark by moving your hand inside to the beat of each song.  It's kind of hard to explain, but loads of fun!

Anyway, I bought the thing with Madison in mind.  I thought she'd be quite taken with it, but I was wrong.  She looked at it a couple of times and back at me.  She could really have cared less.  And try as I might to get her interested, she's a girl of her own mind and simply was not impressed with Grammy's new toy.  In fact, the only impression I was making on the child was proving myself to be an idiot!  LOL!

Not to worry.  My $5.99 didn't go to waste!  My girls LOVED it!  They barked back!  They tried to bite it!  They tried to sniff under its tail!  They tried to grab it out of my hands!  They whimpered, they cried and they jumped all over trying to get closer to it!  It was a sight to see.  We had fun playing with it and they seemed genuinely perturbed when I put it up. 

I'll save it for next year and perhaps Madison will be more taken with it then.  For now I'll just have to entertain the girls with this new "toy"!   

 

The Bells are Ringing

I had grown to despise hearing and seeing those people who stand in front of the stores with their little red shiny pots, ringing loud and obnoxious bells every Christmas.

Bundled up to weather any storm, these seemingly nomadic people are at every entrance constantly ringing those bells, and trying to glean whatever attention they can from the steady stream of shoppers. Hoping beyond hope that some divine intervention will move the shoppers to open their hearts, minds and wallets, and divert some monetary support to their little red pot.

The bell ringers are rather bold and unapologetic when they look you straight in the eye and smile, calling out loudly and cheerfully a holiday greeting whether you leave a donation or not. Many will even hold the door open for you, and scurry to pick up whatever you may have dropped. And they do all this while constantly and methodically ringing their bells.

These gatherers, of sorts, are not embarrassed by their place in society. In fact they seem like a rather proud lot; like they are of a chosen few. And they are not afraid of rejection! Why, some people will walk past them as if they don't even exist! Others will dig deep into their pockets and pull out whatever they can afford to give. Some just reiterate a greeting, muttering under their breath so that it can barely be heard. But regardless of the outcome, the bell ringers do not waiver. They are always kind, considerate, thoughtful and persistent.

This holiday season I have for some unknown reason had a change of heart. The bell ringers suddenly don't aggravate me, and I don't find their bells annoying either. While I have always donated my spare change to their pots every year, this year finds me digging a bit deeper.

Last night I stopped by the grocery store to pick up a few things, and as I was leaving I dropped some money in the shiny red pot. The woman ringing the bell thanked me and wished me a Merry Christmas as usual.

It was a cold, blustery night and the thought of a Starbucks Mocha coffee sounded really good to me. There is a Starbucks shop right in the same area, so I drove across the lot and parked. Inside, I ordered my Mocha and suddenly had an inspirational idea. I ordered a hot chocolate for the bell ringer.

As I left the parking lot the bell was ringing in one hand and the hot cocoa was gratefully in the other.

Gasoline Alley

A few years ago somebody in Washington State got the bright idea to get rid of full service gas stations and go to self-service. They used the campaign ploy that if we went to self-service the price of gasoline would go down. It sounded reasonable to most people and who didn't want to save some money?  Needless to say we now have self-service exclusively. 

I miss the full service stations where an attendant pumps the gas, cleans the windshield and checks the oil. I liked that kind of service. It meant that I didn't have to weather the storm, or get my hands dirty checking oil and cleaning the windshield. I didn't mind paying the few cents extra for each gallon of gas I was purchasing for that kind of service.

I generally buy unleaded premium (the middle of the road grade) and have been paying $1.65 a gallon.

Oregon borders Washington to the south, and the beautiful city of Portland Oregon lay just across the border. I work in Portland and since my commute is long, I make sure that my gas tank never gets too low.  

The other morning I realized that I needed to stop at some point for gas. Since I was already on the freeway headed south, I decided to run out at lunchtime and fill up.

I drove into the full service gas station. (Oregon is not a self-service state) The attendant cheerfully greeted me and I asked him to fill it up. In the interim he cleaned my windshield and checked my oil.

I watched the attendant scurrying around in the blustery weather while I sat in my warm, cozy car making a mental note that I was happy to pay the extra few cents a gallon to have this kind of service.

As I was pulling out of the gas station I glanced up at the sign, and realized that I had just paid the same $1.65 a gallon for the same brand and same octane of gas I always buy in the Washington self service stations!

Who's kidding whom?

What a Difference a Day Makes

 

 

Nearly everyone now knows that Suddam Hussein has been finally captured, and the world has rid itself another evil.

Imagine going from palace to hole in the ground; from limo to camel; from rubbing elbows with world leaders to rats; from enjoying seven course meals to eating out of a can. And then to realize that all of the world is watching and can see how you had declined. That must have some serious effect on one's self esteem.  At least one with an ego like Suddam. 

I don't know that any of us can imagine how the thousands upon thousands of innocent women, children and men suffered over the decades he was in power. I've been visiting some of the Iraqi blogs to gain some of their perspective. I encourage you to do the same.

Check out http://hammorabi.blogspot.com/. The Saturday 12/13/03 entry is especially enlightening. Suddam and those who worked with him spared their victims no mercy. I think it will be interesting to find out what the Iraqi people decide is Suddam's fate.

Suddam Hussein is every bit as cruel and inhumane as Hitler was. The world stood back and watched Hitler kill more than three million Jews before stepping in and doing something, and then vowed it would never happen again. Well it did.

This endeavor should never have been left up to a few countries to stop. It should have been shared around the world with all free Nations. Those that did not enter into the coalition should be ashamed of themselves.

I would be.

Sins of the Heart............part 2

One cold day in December, I was in K-Mart picking up some cold medication for Steve. I turned down an empty aisle and to my amazement there laid a roll of bills wadded up. I couldn't believe it! I looked around quickly for a possible owner but there was no one in the immediate area. How long had it laid there? I quickly grabbed the money and stuck it in my pocket. I couldn't believe my good fortune! It was as if this roll of money just fell from the heavens!

I was already planning what I would use the money for when to my dismay I heard a woman's voice, "I can't find my money! I just had it in my hand! That money was for my kid's Christmas!"

For a moment I froze and time seemed to stand still while I mulled over my next move. I knew it was wrong to take the money, but I also knew that we needed food. Suddenly I became the judge and jury, and quickly walked out of the store with woman wailing in the background. I justified my decision by reasoning that it was more important that my son eat than her kids open a gift on Christmas.

I drove straight to the grocery store trying to put the whole incident out of my mind determined to make my son a good dinner.

That night Stevie ate steak, salad and a baked potato for dinner. He was in seventh heaven. I watched as he greedily ate the steak, occasionally looking my way with a big smile.

In between ravenous bites he looked at me and asked, "Mom, why aren't you eating steak? A look of pure innocence was on his sweet face; his big blue eyes absent of any knowledge of wrongdoing. I winced inwardly and replied with a forced smile, "I'm on a diet, honey." I couldn't eat the meat that was bought with another woman's money.

A few years later I converted to Catholicism and confessed this sin to Father Kindal, the priest that baptized me. He assured me that my sin had been absolved and God had forgiven me. But my heart wasn't so sure.

It's been well over 20 years since that incident, but it has remained fresh in my mind and weighed heavy on my heart since.

Every Christmas I dig a little deeper in my pocket than the previous year to give to others in need.

And every Christmas I pray for that woman, her children and my own forgiveness.

Sins of The Heart...........part 1

Most of us, if we live long enough, will end up with one or two skeletons in our closet.  Skeletons from our past that we are at best ashamed of; skeletons we prefer not to think about, skeletons that haunt us occasionally in the wee hours of the morning when we should be sleeping peacefully.

I have a couple of skeletons that I try to put out of my mind when they come sneaking in; skeletons that bruise my self-esteem while creating self hate every time they show up in the dark recesses of my mind.

This was a difficult decision, but I am going to share one of those skeletons with you.  Why?  Consider it another form of confession.  

I was a single mother when I lost my job in March of 1980.  For those of you who either don't know or don't remember, those were the lean Regan years and the country was deep into a recession.  Unemployment was at an all time high and jobs were extremely hard to come by.  1980 found many a college graduate waiting tables or pumping gas.  

I had been able to establish a meager savings account for emergencies, but certainly nothing that we could depend to live on for any length of time.    

Luckily, I qualified for unemployment.  Not very much, but enough for us to eke by. Thankfully, Regan realized the unemployment problem and offered several extensions.

Needless to say by December 1981 our savings account had long since been exhausted.  The unemployment checks were just paying the rent and utilities with a bit left over for food.  However, it was winter and because of huge heating bills our food was at an all time low.  

I remember my 10 year-old son asking if we could have steak for dinner one evening.  I could make a package of hot dogs or a can of tuna stretch for a good week.  But that was in good times and now we were down to some potatoes and a couple boxes of macaroni and cheese.  Period.  Steve was unaware of the financial problems at the time.  I smiled and ruffled his hair, mumbling something about next week.  

These were desperate times and I was a desperate young mother.

Return To Sender

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am getting tired of opening my mailbox every day and pulling out a stack of credit card offers. Not just one or two, but a stack! It's ridiculous and unwarranted.

Think about this for a minute: We have to pay to have the junk mail recycled or hauled off as garbage. These companies are spending our money for us!

I've tried calling each company and asking them to kindly take me off their mailing lists. Companies have to take you off their mailing list if you request it.

I still get the junk mail. Of course that's because my name, along with yours is sold from one company to another. There is lots of money to be made selling mailing lists. Today you may request to have your name removed from a list, but it can show back up on another tomorrow. It's a vicious cycle.

Imagine the millions of dollars that are spent marketing this stuff. Perhaps I should buy a rubber stamp that says, "RETURN TO SENDER". Maybe if the perpetrators started getting their unwanted solicitations back in return mail they'd stop sending it to begin with and wasting their money - and mine!  But that's doubtful.

Perhaps if the post office had to deliver it back they'd take a closer look and appeal to the government for some kind of direction in the form of a law banning such garbage. That's doubtful too.

The Internet hasn't been around long at all and already there are spam controls filtering out unwanted junk mail. People are even being arrested for sending spam via the Internet! 

The post office has been around for a long, long time.  When are they going to figure out a spam control? But then there is big money to be made on the postage, so that probably isn't going to happen any time too soon either.  

Bordering on Stupid?

The debate is on over whether or not countries that have not sent troops to Iraq should be entitled to share in the $18 billion dollars U.S. taxpayers are putting up to rebuild Iraq. Bush's policy excludes countries such as Russia, France, Canada and Germany.

Bush made this comment at a recent Cabinet meeting regarding the situation: ''What I'm saying is, in the expenditure of the taxpayers' money ... the U.S. people, the taxpayers, understand why it makes sense for countries that risked lives to participate in the contracts in Iraq. It's very simple. Our people risked their lives, friendly coalition folks risked their lives and therefore the contracting is going to reflect that.''

Well, I agree with President Bush. Why would the United States citizens and taxpayers agree to let a bunch of yahoos from countries that did not support the cause share in the windfall the U.S. citizens are going to pay for? They shouldn't! In fact, they should be ashamed of themselves for even asking! My God, the audacity!

Don't misunderstand me though. I'm not even sure that I agree that U.S. citizens should be financing this. But since we are, the contracts should be offered to U.S. companies first and then our allies.

Senator John Kerry, campaigning in his home state of Massachusetts for the Democratic Presidential nomination said: ''I think limiting contracts is an enormous mistake. I think it borders on the stupid.''

Senator Kerry, what in God's name do you think you are celebrating? It sure doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that most U.S. citizens don't want to hand money over to people who wouldn't stand beside us in this situation. I think YOU border on stupid!

This morning I listened to a woman crying her eyes out over a son who was just killed in Iraq. It was heartbreaking. There is no way that I can even imagine what that woman is going through, and I think God that I don't. But I can't get her voice out of my head.

I wonder if she'd agree with President Bush or Senator Kerry?

What do you think?

Bud's Light Show

 

I don't put up outdoor Christmas lights. It seems like too much work for such a short time, and besides I wouldn't know where to begin. But I appreciate those that do.

My neighbors, Sally and Bud put up lights every year. Every year I watch as he drags out all the boxes of lights, and stands in the cold and sometimes even the rain hanging them. It takes him most of the day to finish, but when he's done they stand back and appraise his work while he makes small adjustments until everything is perfect. Every year I stand by and watch, waiting for that moment when he throws the light switch and the house is ablaze in beautiful splendor.

Usually right after Thanksgiving Bud will put his Christmas lights up, but this year Thanksgiving came and went and no lights. I was beginning to think they were going to forego adding their personal touch to the neighborhood. After all, he is getting older and it can't be easy work. It saddened me because I looked forward to those lights. Unknowingly and very subtly over the years they had taken on a special meaning, and I looked forward to Bud's lights. They cheered up an otherwise dreary neighborhood for a few short weeks, and the spirit of Christmas was reborn each year.

But Sunday morning found Bud dragging out the boxes and ladder, and even though it rained most of the day he diligently hung his Christmas lights. And I secretly watched. Waiting for "that" moment that would make me feel like a kid again. As always I was not disappointed! Suddenly the whole neighborhood lit up, and I felt that holiday lighthearted feeling once again!

Last night I took the girls out, and while I waited for them to finish their "business" I stood gazing over at Bud's light show that dazzled before my eyes. What a magnificent sight!  Now it really FELT like Christmas and suddenly it didn't feel so cold and damp outside.

What a wonderful way for Bud and Sally to spread the Christmas cheer through the neighborhood and to keep the spirit of Christmas lit inside of us all!

On the Fritz

Just when you think there is smooth sailing ahead, life throws a little sucker punch and brings you back to reality- quick like.

Last night when leaving work I got in my car and started it up.  While it was warming I plugged my headset into my cell phone.  I needed to call Kim because we'd made tentative plans to do a little shopping that evening.  

Suddenly out of nowhere my car starts sputtering and dies.  I look at the dashboard and sigh impatiently, while turning the key in the ignition again.  The car starts right up.  I remember thinking to myself that my first stop would be Starbucks.  I could really use a cup of joe.  Monday's are always hectic at my job.

No sooner did I realize that thought than the damned car died again.  Oh brother!  Please don't start this tonight, I think to myself.  I turn the key again and give it some gas and the sputtering stops.  I put the car in gear and pull out of the parking lot. 

But all was not well.  The whole trip home my car was sputtering any time I let up off the gas or when I accelerated.  Just get me home!  And that it did. Funny thing about this car.  Regardless of the problem it has always got me home safe and sound.

Well, it goes without saying that all evening I was planning what I was going to do this morning in my mind:  I've got to call the mechanics; run my car in - hopefully with no problem;  call the rental car agency.  I figure I'll only need a car for a day or two.  No problem, I get a good deal through a rental car agency because the company I work for has a contract of sorts with them, and being an employee it's a nice little perk that I have enjoyed for several years.  I still have to pay for it, but at a reduced rate. 

I hope all of you are having a blessed day because regardless of the little hurdles that life throws at me, I will!

 

   

A Day With Sunshine

Saturday morning I awoke to sunshine streaming through my curtains.  It was such a welcomed pleaure that it put an immediate smile on my face.  I made coffee and walked out onto the sun drenched patio and stood basking in its warmth, grateful for the lightheartedness I felt.

It was such a beautiful day!  The girls played outside off and on all day enjoying the warmth of the sun. They sniffed every square inch of the yard while longing to catch a glimpse of a neighborhood squirrel that occasionally tease as they dance across the fence top.  The were disappointed this fine day because the squirrels obviously had their own agendas. 

I walked around in the yard, drinking my coffee and taking notice of the subtle changes that were already taking place; a prelude to spring.  

The Paper Whites that I planted in two big terra cotta planters on my patio are already 10 inches tall.  They are very hardy and love the cool weather.  The Dutch Iris that dot the landscape have sprouted up as well, along with some other little miscellaneous early spring bulbs that are peaking up from the cold ground.  In a few short months they will all be blooming.

The Magnolia tree outside my living room window has finally cast off its old leaves, and is now sporting the huge buds that will one day bloom a beautiful deep pink, and not long after the leaves will give way to the best possible shade tree one could ask for. 

My beautiful pink Dogwood tree is loaded with blooms too, and I look so forward to it blooming this coming spring.  It is my favorite! 

But alas!  The rains have returned this evening and Mother Nature is nurturing and feeding her own.  And while I sit in the wee hours of the morning listening to the soft rain and reciting some of the wonders I witnessed today, I realize two things:  1)  I am blessed beyond belief, and 2) my gutters need to be cleaned! 

It's a wonderful world!

 

The Girls and Doctor Burton

I took Friday off work so I could take the girls to see Doc Burton.  Just routine stuff, but I wanted to get it taken care of before year end.  Our appointment was scheduled for 12:45pm.

After breakfast and my morning cofee, I gave the girls a bath. I wanted them to look spiffy for the fine Doctor.  Around 12:30pm I loaded them up for the drive in to town.  Katie must have sensed something was up because she started fretting nervously, and by the time we arrived she had Sophie worked up a bit too.

I took Katie in first since she was already in a dither, and once she had her yearly physical, nail trimming and booster shots, it was Sophie's turn.  I peaked out Doc Burton's office window before I went out to the parking lot to fetch Sophie, and there she was with her head thrown back and howling like a little wolf!  She was so upset that her sister was out of her sight.  To make a long story short they were tickled to death to get back out to the car and on the way home. 

The good Doctor said that they are in excellent condition and was very impressed with their coats.  Apparently many Westies have skin trouble which make for poor coats.  He said that a lot of them have patches of missing hair and scabs!  Poor babies!  My girls look great though, but I only shampoo them with Johnson's Lavender Baby Shampoo.  It's mild and doesn't bother their skin.

Once home they lunched on roasted chicken breast and then climbed up on their respective blankets for a nap.  

They live a dog's life for sure!

A Random Act of Kindness

It seems that I no sooner am appalled when I read in the newspaper about some heinous act one individual has perpetrated against another, and suddenly my faith is restored in society when I witness someone bestowing a random act of kindness toward another.

Case in point: A month ago Jerry, a neighbor of mine came by and asked if he could pick some of my grapes. As you may have read in earlier journal entries, I have an arbor and this year the grapes were especially abundant. I was thrilled for him to take some of the grapes off my hands because I hate to see them go to waste.

Jerry and I have only talked on a few occasions, but through the course of our conversations I have learned that he is a Master Gardener. Since I love to garden, whenever we talk I have tried to glean as much information from him as I can in regards to my own yard. He is very informative and appreciates the hard work I put into my yard and gardens.

My grape arbor and a few dwarf sized fruit trees are located on a rectangular shaped piece of property that is fenced in, but was lacking a gate. It was on my "things to do" list, but I had just never got around to installing one. I had a make shift gate propped up to keep stray dogs out. Jerry's property butts up against this rectangular portion of my property.

While he was back there picking grapes he noticed my 'gate' or lack thereof, and said that he thought he had a gate laying around that would fit that spot. Nothing much more was said about it and he eventually thanked me for the grapes and left.

The next day Jerry was back with the gate, poles and cement. I was so surprised, but secretly thrilled at the same time. I had wrestled with that make shift gate for so long, and it was such a hassle every time I wanted access to that piece of my property. Jerry was right, the gate did fit perfectly, and it hardly took him any time at all to get it up either. Before he left he cautioned me about not using it until the cement had dried, and told me to let him know if I needed help with anything else. How often does that happen in today's world?

Now I go out almost daily to admire my new gate! It almost feels like Christmas - do you know what I mean? I doubt he realizes what a wonderful gesture that was. What a nice man and good neighbor to take time out of his day to help me.

My faith is restored in mankind once again.

In The Name of Justice

A local retired Superior Court judge who was cited this summer for driving under the influence of alcohol pleaded guilty Monday to the reduced charge of negligent operation of a vehicle.

Retired Judge Lodge, 67, served for 20 years on the bench and was known as being sharp, plainspoken and impatient. Not the kind of judge you'd want to go up against if charged with drunk driving.

Lodge was given a suspended 90-day sentence and ordered to pay $796 in fines and fees, and will be on probation for two years.

Lodge was pulled over after a police officer noticed the 1980 truck he was driving  cross the centerline.  Lodge's blood alcohol level was not measured because he declined a breath test.

His defense was, of course that he had not been drinking, and the poor driving was caused by his unreliable vehicle, not drunkenness. His attorney also cited that Lodge had been working in his yard all day and suffered from allergies and his daughter-in-law's cat, hence the red, bloodshot, watery eyes. His attorney also mentioned he had taken a cold-flu medication that was 10 percent alcohol.

Additionally the vehicle he was driving was deemed not road worthy, which was documented by a local auto shop earlier in the year.  Crossing a center line is pretty serious.  Just this past weekend another local accident occurred just the same way killing 3 people!  Of course alcohol was deemed a contributing factor in that one.   

Lodge's attorney went on to say that since Lodge had served his community for 20 years he should not be forced to sit out the mandatory 1 day in jail.

Why? The local garbage man who has served his community for 20 years wouldn't get such a break, and neither would the volunteer fireman. Who says that they haven't contributed just as much to this community as the Judge? 

Washington State law dictates that the penalty for declining the breath test (and we'll give him the benefit of the doubt here), with no prior DUI'S is an automatic 48 hours in jail, fine of $500 to $5,000, and revocation of driver's license for 1 year.

The only penalty that Mr. Lodge received was the $796 fine, per the local newspaper.

Makes one wonder now, doesn't it? If it doesn't it should. The Judge is one of my uncle's close, personal friends.

Sausage and White Bean Soup

Fall is the best time of year for good soup.  The weather is cool and brisk, and a hot steaming bowl of soup just hits the spot!  I don't usually try recipes that are featured in the newspaper, but I gleaned this one recently from a local newspaper and it is without a doubt one of the best I have ever tasted.  I hope you try it and agree!

Sausage and White Bean Soup

2 Tbs. pure olive oil

1  1/2 lbs. sweet or hot Italian sausage, in the casing

2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto ham, minced

2 medium onions, in medium dice

2 medium carrots, peeled and in medium dice

2 medium celery stalks, in medium dice

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves

3  15.8-ounce cans navy beans, undrained

1 quart chicken broth  (carton or can)

Heat oil in a large, deep saute pan or soup kettle over medium-high heat.  When pan is hot, add sausages; cook turning once or twice, until well browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.  (sausage will not be fully cooked at this point)

Remove from pan.  When cool enough to handle, cut into clices 1/4 inch thick.  Add prosciutto, onions, carrots, celery and thyme to the empty skillet; cook, stirring often, until well browned, 8 to 10 minutes.  In a small bowl, mash one can of beans with a fork into a chunk puree.  Add broth, whole and mashed beans, and sausage; cover and bring to a simmer, partially covered, to blend flavors, 20minutes.  Let rest 10 minutes; serve. 

This soup is fast to prepare and is absolutely delicious served with crusty bread. 

Let me know if you like it!

Trouble In Neverland

Did you know that Michael Jackson was listed in 2000 in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world record holder for ''most charities supported by a pop star''?

Now, as the singer faces new allegations of child molestation, charities, schools and even cities that benefited or hoped to benefit from his largesse are reconsidering their affiliation with the ''King of Pop.''

I have a problem with ANY charity taking a stand like this. Who died and left them God? Who are they to decide that a donation should be accepted or not? That money is going to help people in need who probably could care less about Michael Jackson. In many cases these are people who need the very basics in life to survive and if Michael Jackson is good hearted enough to contribute then everyone should keep their opinions to themselves and take the money to better the lives of those it is intended for.

Look, I don't know if the guy is guilty of child molestation or not. And to be honest with you, when there is a lot of money up for grabs I believe some people would say or do anything to get their hands on some of it, including prostitute their own children. But if Michael Jackson is guilty it seems to me that the parent(s) of this child is too. Who would let their child go off somewhere with a man they really don't know, and especially when 10 years previously it was alleged that he molested another boy?

I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure this one out.

Regardless of the situation, charities should refrain from making any moral judgements. That's not what they get paid to do.