Suggestion

If anyone is interested in more information about sending stuff overseas, check out

http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm

I found this while looking for something else. It gives a lot of good ideas and lots of do's and don't's.

Have a great weekend everyone. They're saying we might get snow here Sunday night - AUGH! Not on my new car!!!!!

/shennie

car

Check out my post on www.thebigmacs.blogspot.com for the latest on my new car.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Yes, today Daddy would have been 88 ~ the same as the number of keys on a piano. And I can remember Daddy trying to play the piano. Most folks use their index fingers if they're not proficient, not Daddy, he used his baby fingers. It was too funny for words.

Miss you, Poppo!

I'm sure you would like my new car - though if you knew how much it cost, you'd have a fit! But, it's a RED, RED car. They'll see me coming with this one.

Back to work today - UGH! 1814 days until retirement! But who's counting?

Miss you very, very much.

Car

For those of you on BigMacs, this is a repeat.

Well, folks, that you to all who have been following my new car/car dealer saga. I think I bought a car this afternoon. Notice I didn't say new. Actually it's a 2007 Toyota Camry. I went back to one of the dealers that I went to on Friday and today they were standing on the sidewalk just waiting for me to show up. I test drove a 2008 Camry and a 2008 Rav4. Both had their pluses and minuses. But, they had a 2007 on the lot that was one of their rentals - it had 26K miles on it. It had just about everything I wanted except the automatic start feature ~ I'm getting lazy in my old age. So we started talking $$$ and cents and I got them to add that into the package for my price. Then, they made the big mistake, they brought in the "manager". What would it take to sign this afternoon? ...yahda, yahda, yahda! I pushed back and said that I was not going to be pressured and that I had to think about it plus check with my brother-in-law (thanx, David for the help). "But what if someone comes in and buys it today?" Well, guess it wasn't meant to be, was it. I will never be that emotionally attached to any car. Sorry, folks, its just not in my genes! So I'll check with the DCU tomorrow and see what kind of rate they can give me for a loan and hopefully by the end of the week I'll be driving this car......

My one major complaint was that the headrest hit my head right smack dab in the middle of the back of my head and I felt like it was pushing my head forward - it wasn't comfortable at all. So, for those of you who aren't that observant, I'm short! Yup, I know that's hard to believe, but it's true. The poor salesman and I tried to figure out how I could get to feel comfortable with the headrests that were in the car. We tried every scenario. Finally, the light dawned. We took the headrest from the back seat and put it on my seat and it works perfectly! As a matter of fact, tomorrow I am going to call the salesman and ask him if he has 2 extra backseat headrests that I'll use instead of the standard issue ones. That way I'll be able to see around the passenger seat headrest.

The salesman is even going to take the car to my mechanic and have Russ give it the "papal blessing". So the next time you see me, I could very well be driving a car that looks just like the one pictured above.

Am I my father's daughter?

Happy 60th Dennis

It was a fun day tho' almost 5 hours of it was spent in the car. I drove to Morris to participate in Dennis' 60th birthday party. It was very nice. Lisa and Sheila did a great job. The food was delicious. His big present was a GPS system. He's like a kid in a candy store with it. I don't know why he needs it - he's not directionally challenged the way yours truly is.

It was a close call coming home. Lots of traffic going down and back. I just LOVE being on the road with 2000 of my closest idiots. Oh, BTW, New Yorker drivers should not be allowed out of state. They are complete morons behind the wheel of a car. They drive they way they live - in your face ~ arrogant, rude, obnoxious, check your thesaurus for other synonyms. I almost took one out in Farmington. They're ALL morons. (Read between the lines.)

I'm listening the the Celtic Women sing the Christmas Carols. I love their music.

My knitting is calling. So is something to eat.

Happy Birthday, Scooter!

KYHD!

Black Friday

Did the merchants ever stop to think that they might be hurting their business rather than helping it with all this Black Friday hype?

What about us poor souls who want to just go shopping? I don't mean beat out 250 of our closest friends for the 1 Dell laptop for $200, or 3700 mothers who insist that their precious brat cannot live without Doodoo Dolly? I mean, I would like to be able to go to ACMoore's or Walmart's or Linens 'n' Things to get regular, normal, ordinary stuff; instead, on my one weekday off, I am relegated to either staying home or fighting with these maniacs. Instead, I have decided that I am going to go looking for a new car - hopefully the idiots will be at Circuit City and not the nearest Toyota dealer. I'm willing to bet that there are a lot of folks like me who would like to be able to do their regular shopping but refuse to contend with the morons who are fighting over everything from an IPOD cover made out of macrame to the ONE 72" flat screen that was advertised in every paper and online popup within a 75 mile radius. Don't get me wrong, I love to shop just as much as the next person; but I said shop - not fight, jostle, elbow and/or paralyze!

When I woke up in the middle of the night last night I was listening to the radio and folks were calling in from their cars that were in the parking lot usually known as Route 495 at 2:00 in the morning! Out of all the callers, only 2 'fessed up to being there of the own free will. All the other idiots claimed to have been roped into going with their mother, aunt or cousin. If my mother, aunt or cousin was that stupid, I'd find a new family!

So, off I go. Wish me luck. If there are more than 6 customers in the Toyota showroom, I'm coming home!

Happy Black Friday to Everyone!

Mike Lowell

Hooray! Mike is staying with the Red Sox for 3 more years. He was MVP of the World Series and is a great 3rd baseman. Phew! I was worried we might lose him and get A-Rod. That's hardly a trade - doesn't trade mean you swap items of equal value?

Turkey Day is creeping up. Lots to do. At least I have all my shopping done - except for 2 things and I can grab them at the grocery store in 2 minutes. Now to figure out how to get everything done in time. Oh well. I'll get there.

I mailed 2 pkgs to my nephew today. Those flat rate boxes from the PO are the best. No matter how heavy the box, it's $8.95 to ship. I got my money's worth on one of the boxes - it weighed over 7 lbs! The boxes are free and all it costs is $8.95 whether it weighs an ounce or 10 lbs. The fellow at the PO thanked me for thinking of the troops - even after I had told him my nephew was over there.

Then, after I went to the PO I stopped at DD. Great deal going on: 2 lbs. coffee for $9.99 in Framingham. As I was leaving, 2 GI's were going in. Had they been there 3 minutes earlier, I would have picked up the tab. But, I greeted them warmly. I think they were from Natick Labs.

The Pats are 10 and 0! No one better accuse them of running up the score in yesterday's game either. What are they supposed to do - just sit down and let the other team run over them when the point differential is 40+ points? The bad thing is that because they are so hot, the network puts them on in "prime time" - kick off at 8:15 p.m. That's bedtime, not prime time. I'd much rather have them on at 4 p.m. Boston sure has a winning way this year (we won't mention the Bruins). The Celts are making a huge comeback this year but then I knew they would once they signed Ray Allen - a former UCONN Huskie! It's once again a good thing to be a sports fan in New England. I even heard on the news this morning that the folks in Connecticut (my home state) have always been pretty evenly divided between the Red Sox and the Evil Empire. However, the Nutmeggers are finally beginning to see the light of day and many are coming over to Red Sox Nation.

Pray for our Soldier(s).

Who Cares?

So I'm working around with the TV on in the background and I have the food channel on. I decided to flip around and see what else is on during a commercial. I find the KC/IND game. Unfortunately KC lost; I have no respect for the Colts after the pulled out of Baltimore under cloak of darkness - no guts Colts. They deserve to lose every game! I'm not a huge KC fan (but who is) , but I was cheering for them. What's happened to Adam Vinateri? Must be something in the Indianapolis water/air? When he was in NE, he NEVER missed a kick. But then, I flip the channel and what's on but the Red Skins vs. the Cowboys. Now there's a game of who gives a r**'s a**? I hate it when they play each other - I don't get to cheer for the opposing team cuz I'm not going to cheer for either one of them. That's what I call a bye week for those teams!

The dining room table is just about empty - I can almost dust it and put the table pads on it to get ready for Thanksgiving. What am I going to do with the huge plant that's the centerpiece on it. I want to move it so that I can put my Thanksgiving pumpkin (or punkin as my Grandma Mitchell used to say) on it.

By the way ~ happy 60th to my cousin's husband, Dennis.

The Patriots are calling - time to watch a GOOD football team. Go Tom and Tedy!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad.

Today would have been your 61st wedding anniversary. But, as Daddy always claimed - only Mom got married - just check the wedding announcement in the paper. EVERYTHING was about her and at the end of the article, it casually mentioned that the groom had graduated from Crosby High School and was a U. S. Army veteran.

I don't care what the paper said, you were BOTH married for 59 years before Mommy passed away. Today, you are back spending your anniversary together. Cheers!

I miss you both very, very much.

Mind Boggling

It absolutely boggles my mind that some people can go through life, not work a lick and get paid twice as much as those of us who DO work. In my next life, if in fact I do have to work then, I want that kind of job. Some people just show up, take up space, breathe other people's air, look like they're busy, pretend to care, grunt at all the right times, and get paid mucho dinero for doing that. AND, they somehow manage to get other people to do their work! Obviously, they're not stupid - I'm the stupid one for doing what they are getting paid not to do. And I'm the one that gets the high blood pressure and ends up slamming doors while they calmly go back to polishing their toenails and planning their weekend events. What is wrong with this picture? And you wonder why I'm counting down the days to retirement. 4 years and 364 days! Chin up, Shennie, just do your job and shut your mouth.

Ok I've vented enough for one day.

Count Down

Only 1827 days until retirement - but who's counting? I should probably set my sights a little closer - like only 41 days until Christmas.

Don't forget to adopt a soldier, say a prayer for them (I mentioned them again during prayer concerns at church yesterday) and to send them cards. Let them all know that we are thinking about them, praying for them, and appreciate everything they are doing for us back here.

Two Important Things

The holidays are fast approaching and while we are racing around trying to get everything bought, baked, wrapped, shopped for, decorated and trimmed, please take a moment to remember our troops overseas. While you're shopping, pick up some items (go to www.operationshoebox.com) and adopt a soldier. I'm adopting DavidAndrew ~ my nephew ~ but there are many more who would be thrilled to get a box from "home".

The other important thing - today is my baby sister's 5%?!^&*th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MIKE!

Asleep

I'm not firing on all 8 cylinders this morning. I went to a reception last night in Connecticut. It was a 2-hr. drive each way. It was worth it, however. It was hosted by an SMS '69 alumna at a new resort that she owns. The reception was to honor 2 donors/volunteers of Chase Collegiate previously SMS-McT. One was a current student's parent who has single-handedly taken on landscaping the campus (her husband owns a nursery) and the other was a "lifer" at McTernan and has donated endless hours and $$$ to the cause. Actually, his father grew up with Daddy and his grandmother was a good friend of Grandma Mitchell's. It's a small world. The place where it was held was amazing (check out www.winvian.com). The reception was in the barn. The ladies room in that place cost more than my house!!!!! I got to see several folks that I hadn't seen in a while and a fellow that I had dated after I graduated from SMS. Hadn't seen him in at least 35 years. He's now president of the Alumni Association. Wish I could remember what he looked like 35 years ago! The drive down and back wasn't too bad - going was worse than coming. I hit Hartford at 4:30 - guess that's when the insurance companies let out. Coming back home from 8 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. wasn't bad at all. Lots of trucks, but I made good time.

A LONG WEEKEND COMING UP! I can't wait. Friday is little sis' birthday. 54 ~ but who's counting?

It sound like "Little David" is trying to adjust to desert life. God bless him.

Knitting for our Troops

For those who knit or crochet, please go to the Lion Brand website and check out the pattern for helmetliners.

http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/

http://cache.lionbrand.com/Newsletters/47012.html

I'm going to try to get some done soon; the only drawback is that they want them made in wool. It makes me itch, but if I do a little at a time, it might not be too bad. It's worth it for our troops. Check out the approved colors as well. Dark colors only!

Let's do what we can!

Hurricane

Well, we survived Hurricane Noel. I've been through a lot worse. It was rainy, raw, and windy on Saturday. The surf on York Beach was spectacular. I drove out to Nubble Light Saturday afternoon and had to wait in line for a parking spot there were so many folks out there to see the surf. There were even surfers out there on Saturday and Sunday. Crazy folks! The one good thing was that the storm kept a lot of the shoppers away so we didn't have to fight the crowds as much as usual.

Tomorrow I'm going to Ct. for a reception sponsored by SMS/Chase Collegiate. I'm sure the only reason I got the invitation was because I happen to know the owner - she was 2 years behind me at SMS. She's a hoot. She's so enjoyable. The place is amazing. Check out www.winvian.com. I can't believe I'm driving down for a 2 hour reception, but what the heck. If the weather turns bad or there's a problem, Sheila and Dennis live about 5 minutes away.

A long weekend is coming. Hooooooray! Two weeks from this Thursday is Thanksgiving! Lots to do.

KYHD, Scooter!

It's Thursday!

One more partial day and I'm off to Maine for the weekend. I can't wait.

Unfortunately, I have to take my car into the mechanic before I go. I started noticing some leakage under the front end of the car after it's sat there overnight. Also, the same stuff is showing up where I park at work. What a pain. I hope it's only a minor thing - a hose with a leak or something like that. Cars are such a necessary evil. If only they would do what I want them to do when I want them to do it. Cars are designed and built to work a certain way. Forget this built-in obsolescence. I will acquiesce to putting gas into the car and even windshield washer fluid. After that, I shouldn't have to do anything until I trade it in. Anyway, once I leave the mechanic's, I'm on my way to York, Maine. I love it up there. We stay at the Anchorage Inn and have a great time. The waves should be spectacular - there's supposed to be a hurricane off shore that will really churn up the water. Just grant me patience, Lord.

I'll probably be able to get a fair amount of knitting done while I'm there. I'm taking a couple of UFOs with me and hopefully I'll make a great deal of progress on one or more. One is in the frog pond, but should be full sail ahead very soon.

I'll let you know how the shopping goes. The INTENTION is to do Christmas shopping for others; the reality is still up for grabs. It depends on what I find. I won't be hitting the Coach store, but there are plenty others where I can do some serious damage.

Have a good weekend, folks. Scooter, KYHD!