Hiatus

Ok folks, this will probably be my last post for almost 2 weeks. Thursday morning ~ before the sun comes up ~ I'll be on my way to the airport to fly to Miami. There, I will meet up with Sue, Dave and Jennifer Wilson. We'll stay at the Astor Hotel overnight and on Friday we will board the Norwegian Jewel for a 9 day cruise of the Caribbean! YES! We're stopping at Samana in the Dominican Republic, Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia and Tortola. I have only been to Tortola, so I'm really looking forward to visiting four new islands. Actually, I'm looking forward to getting away, being warm, and being waited on - on a ship. I think I'd be almost as happy if we never even stopped in a port - if we just kept sailing and sailing and sailing.

I will not be bringing my laptop with me. I do know that they have internet cafes onboard most ships, but whether or not I go there remains to be seen. I will have my cell phone, but whether or not I turn it on OR whether or not I can get service down there, is TBD.

I hope everyone stays well and happy. Until then...

Shennie

One Of Those Weeks

This has been a terrible week.

Monday was a holiday and that was good - expensive - but good. As I wrote before, I went shopping and spent money. The good news - sorta - some of the stuff didn't fit so I'll take it back and get a credit. It didn't fit because I've put on too much weight because of the medicine I'm taking. When you hear that they have harpooned a whale in the Caribbean next week - it's me that will be coming home with a harpoon stuck in my back!

Tuesday was a Tuesday. Nothing spectacular.

Wednesday was the 1 year anniversary of George's death. I cannot believe that he's been gone that long. I still miss him so much. I miss having to someone to talk to, to vent to, to scream at. I just miss having him here. His chair seems so empty.

Thursday Mabel passed away. A special lady was taken home by some angels. Heaven is getting full of some very special people. But, she's back with her husband, Big Gene, and is no longer lamenting about not being the person she once was. The past year was very difficult on her and she was not the person she used to be. Losing her sight was the worst. A lover of reading and working on the computer - losing her sight was a terrible blow. Mabel, you will be sorely missed. I can still taste your scrumptious dinners!

Today, we received word that my boss' mother-in-law passed away. Win has been failing and in poor health for months. Her body finally realized that it could no long keep up with her will to hang on. Everything slowly stopped working. God finally said, "Come home, Win".

So, as we all go on with our mortal lives, let us remember those who are no longer with us. You were all special and dear to each of us. I will remember each of you for your own special ways. But, we take comfort knowing that you are no longer suffering the pains of mortal life, you have gone to a far better place with those who have gone before. You are loved and missed.

Shennie

In Memorium

This morning at 5:30 EST we lost a special woman ~ Mabel McCarthy. Mabel was my sister's mother-in-law but she was also my friend.

Let me tell you a little bit about Mabel.

I can't remember the first time I ever me her, but I'm sure it was at her house around a dinner table that was too small to hold all the food so at least one TV tray had to be set up to hold the overflow of casseroles and goodies. You NEVER went hungry at Mabel's house. She would begin her cooking and baking days in advance to prepare for company. Most meals would consist of some kind of roast ~ beef, ham, pork, chicken or a combination of two of these. They would be accompanied by potatoes, macaroni & cheese, green bean casserole, probably at least one or two other vegetables and possibly a huge bowl of coleslaw plus gravy and anything else she thought you might enjoy. Then, as if you weren't already stuffed to the gills, she'd bring out dessert. This course usually consisted of four or five pies ~ apple, blueberry, lemon meringue, cherry, and possibly pumpkin or pecan or chocolate. And, of course, you couldn't have pie without ice cream. The procession of food from the kitchen to the dining room table seemed endless. Then, just in case you still had some room left, she'd bring out the tins and plates of cookies that she had spent the last couple days baking! I just put on five pounds thinking about one of her meals.

Her energy was boundless and her pursuit of something was meticulous. After she retired, she took up the gargantuan task of tracing the Emmanuelson and McCarthy family trees. She tracked down long, long, long lost relatives on both her side of the family and Gene's and soon became quite familiar with them. She'd travel the countryside and make endless phone calls putting all the pieces together. She met relatives Gene never even knew!

One of her less than strong suits was her disorganization. Although, I am sure in her own way she was organized ~ at least SHE knew what she was doing. To anyone else coming into whatever it was that she was working on it looked like the area had suffered self-implosion. The night before David's graduation from Bowdoin I can remember her sitting at her sister's table in Maine finishing the dress that she planned on wearing the next day. Fortunately it was all the handwork, but she had brought it up from Ct and was diligently sewing her little fingers to the bone finishing that dress. I'm not sure how late she stayed up working on it but she did wear it to his graduation the next day ~ there are pictures to prove it.

Her kitchen was an example of what would happen if a den of cub scouts were let loose to bake cupcakes! How she found anything or knew where anything was, boggled the minds of us mortal onlookers. But, she managed to put together some of the best meals I've ever eaten. And since she was short to begin with and shrunk even more with age, she soon gave up using the overhead kitchen shelves and cabinets so everything was on the counters or table.

Even in the past two years when I've been there for various reasons, she's shuffle along, hell-bent on putting an amazing meal on the table. This, from a woman who had such osteoporosis that she can only be described as shaped like a comma! All 5 feet of me towered over her. When I was in the hospital two years ago having received a new kidney from my niece - Mabel's oldest granddaughter - she would call me periodically during my stay at the hospital and even after I went home. She just wanted to make sure that I knew she was thinking about me and ask if there was ANYTHING she could do for me. She even offered to come up and take care of me and cook for me. We would have made a great pair! But you had to admire her determination and love her for her generosity and caring.

The last time I saw Mabel was the day after Daddy passed away last August. Kevin and his girlfriend invited us all to Robin's house for a steak bar-b-que. The apple never falls far from the tree. Although Mabel was completely unable to assist in preparing anything for this gathering, they had as much food as if she had! But, she was there, bundled up and comfy on the chaisse lounge on the deck. Everyone spent some time with her and made sure she wanted for nothing. She chatted with all the grandchildren and the rest of us and "held court". Though her body was slowly giving up, her mind was sharp as a tack.

The best part of that day with Mabel was the ride home. I had driven down from Wallingford and we offered to take Mabel back to the house so that Kevin could stay and help Robin clean up. Well, someone wound Mabel up just before we got in the car and she had Susie, David and I in stitches all they way back to Chester. She was telling us about having the four children and why she had four children. (I'm chuckling now just thinking about it.) I couldn't begin to do the telling of the story justice, but we had a great time hearing that either Kevin or Nancy was born because she had a choice of getting pregnant or having surgery and the other one was born because she didn't want to go back to work and she wouldn't be able to with a new baby! Even David had never heard those stories. She regaled us for the 25 minutes it took to get from Robin's house to Mabel's house.

I called her once after that visit and sent her a birthday card and Christmas card. I was thinking about her last Sunday or Monday and mentally planning on calling her soon to check in and say hi. Well, Mabel, I missed by a couple days but I know you knew I was thinking about you. I'll miss our phone conversations, your stories, your take on life in general and your family in particular. But, you're back with Big Gene. You're up with Mom and Dad and I'm sure you're all looking down on all of us and smiling contentedly.

You are loved and missed!

Shennie

Shopping

Well, I have to admit to one and all that today I went to Kohl's for the very first time. I was pleasantly surprised - except they were low on cruise duds. Oh well ~ I found a few things that will do. Thanx, Kitten, for the gift card; it came in handy and introduced me to a new shopping experience.

On my way home I made one stop that I had thought about doing last night but figured I'd be at the store too late. I stopped in at the Sports Authority and I bought myself a New England Patriots AFL Championship Tshirt. I've never done that before; however, if I'm going to be on board a ship in the middle of the Caribbean on February 3 during the Super Bowl, I want everyone to know who I'm cheering for before I even get there. I'll be the shy, demure one at the end of the bar - Rah! Rah! For good measure I'll have my Red Sox/Curt Shilling tshirt with me as well. They'll know I'm from New England. Of course, when they see my sister and I eating the lobster on one of our excursions, they'll have a good idea we're not from Oklahoma and that we've handled one or two of them in our day!

11 days and counting. Time to do the laundry. See you all later. Good to hear from you today, Scoots.

Shennie

GO PATRIOTS!!!!!

Can you say 18 and ZERO!!!!???

Ok I'm going to be aboard ship during the Super Bowl - S & D & J - I'll be at the sports bar!!!!

HHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!

IPOD and other Random Thoughts

For many of you, using an IPOD is second nature. A gene mutated when you were developing in utero and it's part of your make up. To those of us born before the Ninja Mutants appeared on the scene, it takes a little longer to figure these things out. I just realized that my IPOD needs to charge. DUH! Ok, you can stop laughing now, Donut and Peaches! So, while I'm waiting for it to charge I thought I'd jot down a few musings ~ things that I've come across lately that really got me to thinking.

First, will someone please tell SONY that Peyton/Payton isn't in contention this year! The Colts not-so-quietly went back home to Indiana (isn't there a song like that ?). I'm going through all the ads in today's Boston Globe and there's this nice glossy ad for the Sony Blu-ray Disc player with not one, but 4 pictures of the elder Manning in it. At least they could have picked one of the QBs that's going to be on the field (and freezing their buns off) today. If Wheaties can do it, why can't SONY?

Speaking of Indianapolis - that 14-year-old girl that was one of the kick-punt-pass contest winners last week that was booed in Indianapolis - I hope you folks will be watching this week during the game at Gillette Stadium. You might want to take notes as to how to behave and what class really is. Because of the horrendous behaviour of the people in Indiana, she has been invited to be on the field at Gillette during the coin toss. I'm sure she'll receive a much warmer welcome and the respect due a 14-year-old winner.

Next on my list of "and they're allowed to run free?"; now I know moving into the corner office on Beacon Hill requires a lobotomy. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is bantering about the possibility of allowing casinos and the gambling that goes with them into the state. There are large factions on either side of the issue and it hasn't even made it to the insane asylum AKA Massachusett's House and Senate. Our illustrious, do-nothing governor is in favor of allowing at least 3 casinos into the Commonwealth. Why should Connecticut and Rhode Island have all the fun? Technically, RI doesn't have a casino but they do allow betting at their dog track. When he's not picking out expensive new drapes for his office and being driven around in his new Cadillac, he's stomping for Obama and dreaming up ways to raise my taxes. His new thought is - are you ready for this? - to prepare his new budget using $150M revenue from our not-even-yet approved casinos! Even if the casinos are eventually approved by the folks on Beacon Hill and work begins, the state won't see one penny from them in the next fiscal year. Is this the "change" he campaigned on? I think I'll plan my household budget on the $100K I may make when I buy my next lottery ticket! What a jackass he is. He is also the one who took the $400K alloted to FSC for the CLC and put it back into the general pot of money. We are now at the whims and mercy of the Operations Director. My only salvation is that I can honestly say, "I didn't vote for him!"

Enough for now - I'll save my other thoughts for another time. The game is about to start and I'm getting hungry.

GO PATS!

Frog Pond - Sorta

Several years ago I had started knitting a blanket/spread/afghan. I really like the yarn - it's a TLC yarn - and the color is natural. I made a mistake somewhere and at the time I didn't have the patience to figure out where or how I made the mistake so I put the whole project aside in a laundry basket and there is sat for several years.

Well, last summer I found out that my friend's youngest daughter, Brat #2 as I affectionately call her (Priscilla to everyone else), was getting married in October so I decided to make an afghan for her. She and her new husband live in Colorado so I figured you can never have too many afghans out there. I had some skeins of the TLC yarn that I hadn't worked up yet so I found myself a pattern and began knitting with the fresh yarn.

The pattern is not difficult; however, it is "reversible". There are 44 rows to the pattern - 22 different variations. I worked until I ran out of fresh yarn now I'm in the frog pond. I was a little worried that it might not come out right, but so far it's looking good. The hardest part is ripping out the work. I thought I might have pangs of remorse, but no such thing. I just keep ripping and ripping. I'll post a picture of it when it's done.

I must compliment myself on the fact that I didn't go out and buy new yarn for this project - I'm actually digging into my every-growing stash and using some of it up. It'll be one less basket with a UFO in it.

Ribbit!

New England Patriots Fever

The Patriots play the Jacksonville Jaguars tonight at Gillette Stadium here in Foxboro, MA. The Pats have a 16 and 0 record this year - a record setter. The best record was back in 1972 by the Miami Dolphins who had a 14 and 0 record (the league has since added 2 more games to the schedule BEFORE playoffs).

I was out shopping and visiting most of the day today and EVERYWHERE I went all I saw were Pat's jerseys, hats, jackets, flags, and signs. The teeny-boppers were all wearing #12 - Tom Brady's number; but I also saw a lot of #54 (Tedi Bruschi), one or two #93 (Richard Seymour) and several others that I won't bore you with.

The supermarket had Patriot's paraphernalia as you walked in the front door. There were shrimp platters and fruit platters in profusion and folks were lined up to get deli platters (except one poor guy whose order was lost!).

I must admit - I was guilty as well. I wore my New England Patriots Scarf. I knitted it several years ago when they were going for the Super Bowl - the first one they actually won (thank you Bill Bilichik!). I always get comments on the scarf. I hope it works.

I hope I can stay awake. The kickoff isn't until after 8:00 p.m. I didn't get a nap in this afternoon so I hope I make it. If it's a really good game, I'll stay awake.

GO PATS!!!!!

Pay Raise

Though the place where I work shall remain nameless, let me say that it is a union shop. Now, this is the first time since I began working that I had to join a union. Well, technically I didn't have to join the union; but even if I didn't join I'd still have to pay the exact same amount of dues as if I did. So, being of the ilk that I'm not going to pay for NOTHING, I signed on the dotted line and joined the union. At least I get a slight discount on my eye glasses and dental work. It ain't much, but it's better than nothing. I get to pick from the eye glass frames left over from the 1950s and only have to pay $100. If I move up to the 21st century wall of frames, the discount disappears.

So, when you go to work at this place, you go into a job slot that the union has designed and said how much you will be paid. It doesn't make any difference if you've been working for one year or 30 years. If you assume more responsibility and do more work or if you performance is superior, you cannot move up the food chain because the union has said that that job should be classified at a certain level and should include nothing more or less. You have to go through multiple hearings and petitions in order for the job to be reclassified.

The job descriptions are as archaic as high-button shoes and rotary phones. My description requires that I know how to operate a typewriter, mimeograph machine and a dictation machine. I am not joking! The last time I used any of these (outside a typewriter which I use once/year to fill in a form) was AT LEAST 27 years ago. I'd need a refresher course in mimeo 101 if I had to use one of those blue forms again.

The raises are set by the contract negotiated several years ago. If you do well, you get the same raise as if you just showed up four days/week and didn't murder your boss. I guess you can call it job security for the unemployable. It's safety in numbers. When I was hired I was promised a certain salary by my hiring boss in a letter signed by him. However, what my pay ended up being was substantially less. When I raised the issue with the HR department (who, in my humble opinion, is the MOST USELESS DEPARTMENT IN ANY ORGANIZATION - more on this later), I was informed that "that's what happens when the boss writes the letter and not HR" and there was nothing that could be done. She refused to budge and even had the president write me to tell me it was a closed issue. If I had taken it to the union, it would have rocked the boat because I was offered a level well above what the union thought the job should be. We couldn't have that, now could we?

So, guess what, I'm not busting my a**! I do my job, do it well, on occasion do a little extra, but I am not going to stick my neck out and go way out to help do other folks' jobs (who are making a lot more than I am). They don't pay me enough for that. I can't even get paid overtime. You need an act of Congress and/or a Papal dispensation for that.

What spurred this tirade? I got my first check of the year and as expected I got my annual raise - all .096 cents per hour! How can I ever thank the union for the wonderful windfall? I shall be forever grateful for fighting so hard for that increase. I'll finally be able to buy that extra tomato next week at the grocery store!

A note about HR people: two of my best friends are/were HR employees. ...and my thoughts and feelings are no secret to them. HR folks look out only for the company/organization and themselves. Most of them spend most of their life meeting to learn how to do HR rather than actually doing HR. The employee is second or third class - if that high - and expendable. They make you feel like the $$$ is coming out of their budget. Barbara and Susan are/were good people - it's too bad they worked in HR.

So I'll log off now so I can contemplate on how I'm going to spend my extra $7.20 this pay day! As Mommy would have said, "Don't spend it all in one place!"

Self Revelations

I found this questionnaire on Vickie Howell's blog (DIY's knitting guru) and thought it would be fun to put my answers in instead of hers. Here goes:

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?

I had to worry about Nick being in the hospital for quintuple bypass surgery. Usually I'm the one in the hospital. I went to a Red Sox/Yankees game. Unfortunately, the Red Sox lost. And, unfortunately, we had to leave before the end of the game because we took the train in and we were afraid that the last train we leave and we'd be stranded in Boston. But, while I was sitting in the bleachers at Fenway I called Daddy and talked to him from the park. I knew he was happy.

2. What are your New Years Resolutions?

I gave up making resolutions long ago.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth in 2007?

George's daughter-in-law had a baby girl, Emily Susan. She's beautiful.

4. Did anyone close to you die.

Yes, unfortunately, my dear friend, George, and my Dad.

5. What countries did you visit?

Unfortunately I didn't leave the USA but that's about to change in 2008.

6 What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

Someone who will love me, take care of me and be my best friend.

7. What date(s) in 2007 will remain etched in your memory and why?

January 23 (George passed away) and August 2 (Daddy went home to Mommy).

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Celebrated the one year anniversary of my new kidney AND not smoking for a year.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not doing more for George and Daddy before they died. I tried, but will always feel like there was something more I could've done or said before they died.

10. Did you suffer any illness or injury?

Nope.

11. What was the best thing someone bought you?

Nick bought me a digital camera and gave me more $$$ to help pay for my new laptop. Talk about having a best friend.

12. Who's behavior merited celebration?

The Red Sox winning the World Series AGAIN!

13. Who's behavior appalled and depressed you?

The members of the current U.S. administration. The drug scandal in major baseball.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage and investments so that I can retire VERY, VERY soon!

15. What did you get really, really excited about?

The Red Sox winning the World Series and the Yankess not even close.

16. What song(s) reminds you of 2007?

"I will survive"

17. Compared to last year are you...

a.) Happier or Sadder? Happier

b.) Thinner or Fatter? I prefer not thin - just ordered all new clothes that aren't sprayed on for my cruise!

c.) Richer or Poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Called my friends more often; cleaned up and organized the house. Exercising.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinated.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

With my sister and her family in Illinois. I gave visitation rights to my niece and her kidney. It was a lot of fun.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007.

No, lost my love.

22. How many one night stands did you have?

None.

23. What was your favorite TV program?

M*A*S*H, Red Sox or Patriots' Game, Paula Deen or the Barefoot Contessa.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't this time last year?
I try to avoid getting into those type of situations. On occasion it has happened, and it is not good for my health, so I keep my distance from those people I find offensive, juvenile, self-proclaimed victims, incompetent.

25. What was the best book you read?
Susannah's Garden

26. What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?

I can't remember - probably was over at George's fixing dinner for the two of us. Then I came home and took phone calls. Guess my age.

27. What was your best musical discovery?

The Burns Sisters and anything by Josh Grobin.

28. What did you want and get?

A new car AND a laptop computer.

29. What was your favorite film of the year?

I can't tell you the last time I was at the movies. I did watch Legally Blond on TV and loved it.

30. What did you want and not get?

Someone to love and take care of me.

31. What one thing would've made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Less death and a more fulfilling job.

32. How would you describe your fashion concept for 2007?

Anything that will fit. I can't seem to shed the pounds that keep piling on. Thanx to the meds that I'm on.

33. What kept you sane?

Friends, my knitting, my family and my faith and a couple glasses of wine each night. Of course, I'm not so sure I am sane.

34. Which celebrity or public figure did you admire most?

I think I have to admire Curt Shilling - a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who has amazing self control and high morals. Also, Bill Bilichick, coach for the Patriots. Tho' I find him stern, I admire his commitment and determination. I do, however, feel sorry for him in his life.

35. What political issue stirred you most?

The war and the lies set forth by our government.

36. Who do you miss?

Daddy and George - desperately.

37. Who was the best new person you met?

I reconnected with a good friend from high school. It feels good to be back in contact with her; we can support each other.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned?

Have faith in people, but trust yourself more.

39. Quote a song line that defines your year.

"I will survive!"

Feel free to copy and insert your own answers.

Finally...

The voting in NH is over and 95% of the precincts have reported: Clinton and McCain are the winners. Now, go away!

Unfortunately, we will now have to endure a couple days of election analysis, post-election analysis, and post, post election analysis. Did Hillary's crying help? What happened to Rudy? But this was Mitt's backyard. What effect will this have on South Carolina? Should Edwards have worn a blue tie rather than a red tie? Where are the born-agains who support Huckabee? PALEESE! Go bother someone else.

But, the peace won't last for long. Tsunami Tuesday is in 4 weeks and Massachusetts is a part of that. They'll be bombarding our airwaves again really soon. Thank God I'll be leaving the area just before then and will be spared the cacophonous repetition that is sure to take place.

The only GOOD thing that came from this exercise is that they had a record turnout at the polls. This is the way it should always be. If you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain. So, I plan on being heard loudly and clearly.

Caucus & Primaries

If I hear one more commercial, ad, sound bite, news article, ANYTHING that has to do with the presidential election that is 11 months away, I will kill someone. At this point, I wouldn't vote for any of them. I am so sick of the whole thing. Dodd and Biden were the only 2 sane ones - they dropped out. Those left in the race look exhausted and probably won't be making any sense by the time the votes are tallied tomorrow night. They could all very well make Howard Dean appear sedate!

We get the full brunt of the push here in Massachusetts because most of our TV stations broadcast into New Hampshire AND we're also part of the Super Tuesday event in February. Folks are driving hundreds of miles to go see these characters. They're unloading bus loads of people at every whistle stop (don't these folks have real jobs?). I wouldn't walk across the street if all of them were on the other side and they were handing out ice cream cones!

Let's be reasonable folks, each and everyone of them are going to promise the masses what they think they want to hear. In Iowa it was one thing; today in New Hampshire it will be another and different promise and on Wednesday it will be something different for those folks in South Carolina. And, whoever is elected, will pompously move into the White House and do whatever they damn well please - within or without the legal guidelines of the Constitution. OR, they will spend their time arguing with the Congress and sending bills back and forth trying to prove who has the most power! Nothing is going to change. Until they have to pay their own health insurance and doctors' bills, nothing will be done about universal health care. Until their pension plans are on a par with the average Americans', social security will flounder in limbo. PACs and special interest groups will always be able to buy their way into Congressional pockets and Congress and the Pentagon will never see eye to eye!

Of course, the worst culprit in this whole fiasco is the media: the newspapers, the TV press, the radio press, the news magazines, even the communications classes at the local colleges. Find something else to report on, for God's sake! If they went away, it would solve half the problem. I listen to regular over-the-air TV to get the sports scores and the weather and any local news. Once they start on the campaign, it's off the Food TV or the Hallmark Channel for M*A*S*H. Most of these folks make Frank Burns look like Einstein. I'd rather vote for Colonel Flagg!

Look folks, give us all a break. Why doesn't everyone go home or to their ski chalet in Aspen, take up cookie baking or miniature golf, or, better yet, go back to their jobs that they are being paid to do even though they're not doing them, and come back out on Labor Day and maybe then we'll listen.

Until then, go away!

My New Quote for the Day ~

Do you know why they call it "PMS"?
Because "Mad Cow Disease" was taken.

--Unknown, presumed deceased

HOORAY!

I'm sitting at my kitchen table using my new laptop - thank you Uncle Nick! I picked it up at the DHL depot this morning and booted it up at work. The guys there had a great time setting it up and getting things working there. I was a little worried when I got it home that I wouldn't be able to get it to work with my wireless network here at the house and I'd have to call JJ or Ben, but I persevered and voila! This is so much fun.

Did I just say that? You guys are wearing off on me - either that or boosting my confidence to do these things. I haven't quite worked up the nerve to tackle the camera -besides I look afright. Now I just have to get the stuff that's on the desktop to the laptop. Isn't that what those stick things are for? That'll be a project for this weekend.

Oh, btw, Chaplain Reynold's birthday is 1/16 and he'll be the big six zero! But you didn't hear that from me.

Prayers for Dennis as he starts chemo on Thursday.

Well, folks, time to log off and do some knitting. The needles are calling to me. Oh, did I tell you that I finally mastered the long-tail cast on today? It's been a banner day all around. Mom, you'd be so proud of me.

Good night, Gracie!

/s

Shopping Maven

Ok, so from the first time I saw this commercial it reminded me of ONLY one person. They totally mis-cast the woman in this commercial. Tell me, who does this remind you of (tho' I can't imagine Craig sitting quietly in the car!)

Ikea - Start the Car « The Best Commercials