Christmas and all that jazz

We went all out with the tree lights and decoration. It took us a week to do it all, but it was well worth it. I love having the CVS Rudolph characters out. We have to put them up high because Edvard likes gnawing on them otherwise. The boys all wanted to try to put on the Santa Hat. There is always room for more than one Santa, eh? The last picture is of Jeanie's Birthday Cake blowout. We had a nice dinner at Lyla and Tracy's last Friday to celebrate her day which was Sunday. We had spent the day with Zita making Perogs(sp?) bacon rolls, a traditional Christmas holiday food in our family, and make Jeanie's dinner, as well. I would tell you what we had, but I don't know how to spell it. So, I move on. But I did spend 45 minutes making a salad dressing. Lyla as my co-pilot. I remember an episode of Top Chef where the judge said if you have soggy rice throw it out, and start over, or change the menu. That is what I should have done as I had put too much vinegar first off, but alas, not the way my brain works, and it turned out well. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and best of New Year's wishes. Enjoy the pics.

the bed, the door, the garden

I have a picture from last years trip down the Western coast. We might be going to Disney in the future so I thought I would post Mickey Cacti. Then there is the photo of the doctor in the doorway. Mom and Dad thought much of him. He seemed like he was a good guy. Or is, if we keep it in the presence tense. And then finally, Mom in her bed in the hospital. Dad just loved the fact she would order off a menu, and then when they brought the meal to her room... They would knock and say,"Room Service."
I made two quilts that went away. One to a high school Auction. I am not sure how much it sold for, but it did go out the door. It was huge. 90"x90". The other I sent away to a friend of mine from high school. She really has always been a special gift to our school as far as team spirit and school camaraderie. We talked a lot while setting up the reunion (25) and after. And I decided I wanted to make her a quilt from our conversations. It did turn out nice. (Now, I have three other I need to make soon. So, that should be fun.) She made me aware, not really aware, but helped me see that we all have this in our lives - this being a lot of pain and discomfort in our lives, but we keep looking for the good and comforts, as well. It is there for us to find and hold on to. We just need to open up and find it. I was at a meeting the other day and the guy talked about finding "the serenity in the middle of the storm." Every day is like that of late. I mean come on, I work retail Gosh Darn it. Sometimes I am able to hook up with it better than other days. Nut I find it certainly with help from those around me.
I have a goal I want to put out to the blog world. My goal is to lose 10 lbs by New Years. Wish me luck.
Good night, God Bless, And eat a banana split. Most the times you can choose your own toppings, and who don't want that? Everything on mine will be sugar free. It is possible. Enjoy the pics.

Photos of Photos

These are some photos I found in Omita's photo box. It was awesome to look through. They are not in any particular order. The first one I named, "What the Hell is going on?" I want to know why this young man is going for my grandmother. Then there is the photo of a family that made me look at it for a while wondering where the ones who are still alive might be. Then comes my grandfather standing up at some meeting looking to improve his rights. God Bless him. Followed by my brother and his son in coordinating shirts and the look on Opapu's face is great. Next my Mom looking Sassy. A fabulous photo. Then Lyla with the Alex and Helen I am sure at Christmas time. And, oh my, the next one is just an awesome sight of hair power. So strong the focus is a little off. Sorry. Specifically Lyla and my hair, Tommy's mustache, but look at Ms Laura's behind the ears tuck, Mmmhmm. Now who's zooming who. Then the photo of the statue that mom and dad bought while we lived in Katherine Street. I just love the popcorn draped all over her. It should have been me. As Karen White once sang. I liked also the picture of my grandparent's dog looking out the window. Edvard does the same thing. Finally, Laura and Teresa looking all swim-suited up for the medals to display, and the write up that follows. It just brings back memories. Enjoy the pics.

A Sad Reality that

Edvard and I were walking this morning. We went into the park, and as we were walking down the cement path there was a guy lying on the bench. His shoes were thrown onto the walkway. He was talking to himself, and moving his arms alternately over his head and eyes, so that his elbow was lying right above his eyes. He was saying, "Bill Gate - Bush Gate - Black Gate.." and we were past him. We moved on down the way, and went into the grass field. He had gotten up, and put his shoes back on walking down the path along side of us. He was talking, and what he was saying was hard to hear, but it didn't sound too friendly - in the moderate tone he was speaking. But when he got close enough to be near enough that I could hear him he was saying, "I got love for you commander." (Was he Vet, was he just rambling, was he a political left over?) And he kept walking down the path talking. I felt so sorry for him. How can one help a person that is so lost in his own mind like that? I would like to say I said a prayer for him, but it wasn't until right now that I thought of doing that. So, dude, "This prayers for you."
The picture is from SC when I first got it for Christmas a few years back. But I thought it showed the mind, and what it can hold. Enjoy the pic.

Me and My shadows

I was looking to load a picture for face book when I came across the one Zita took in Paris from the Napoleon built Arc de something in French (triumph). And I wanted to add the photo from when the artist Dude who projects pictures on things. This was from the National Cathedral about 3 or 4 months ago. And then the flower I find tight wrapped and fascinating. Enjoy the Pics.

My Flowers and my Guys

I just had to share some more pictures of my favorite flower dog and man. The bees are just a plus. I went to dinner with Zita, Laura, Lyla Tracy, and William last night (not necessarily in that order) in Baltimore. We ate Roy's Hawaiian Fusion restaurant. It was good but a little loud. Little, yeah, right. Okay so it was way loud in the small room sitting next to a table of 12 libacious people. But the food was excellent and the company good (not necessarily in that order) Just kidding. By the way notice the feet of the lone bee. He has sticky stuff all over the bottom of his feet. Is he going to be in trouble when he gets home and tracks it all over the hive or what? Enjoy the pics.

And then there were more

Some things just don't need explaining. They are what they are, and we just know it to be true. Although I have to say when I look at the ceiling with Christ from the Catholic U. Church, I keep hearing, "Everybody was Kung Fu fighting, ooh..aah..they were fast as lightning." Austin. Enjoy the pics.

back to basics

here are some photos that i have in the camera. The first is a favorite of mine that Mom made many years ago and it hung in the beach house. it was a good conversation piece. and i recently met a lady who was making a quilt using similiar technique. next is lyla and lobster. no need to say more. then another addition to the face clan. more on those later. then edvard looking more like a bassett hound everyday. double rainbow that was spectacular the day it appeared out by where i work. the 6 of us kids in the 70's oh my gawd what were we wearing? who cut our hair?moving on to the oughts and the birds of edisto i have video, but wasn't sure how to load it. finally of course el lyndia the bird goddess of carolina - she is doing her "i got to find them birders soon dance." it did help. will try later the video later.... maybe goddess el lyndia can do a "find out how to load video shake" for me. enjoy the random pics

Morning Glow

So, there I was walking the dog. Well actually, I wasn't quite that far with the chore when there was the sun hitting this beautiful flower. What a sight. I had to take the photo. Enjoy the pic.

Carribean Cruise, Baby

Following are photos from our Carnival trip to San Juan, St. Thomas, and St. Martin. I got me some good photos. Enjoy the Pics.


We were on board when we saw this, and I thought it was a great shot. I call it William's halo.


This was a shot over the sea. That's all.


This was towards the end of our sunset tour on San Juan. It was a beautiful dark sky.


Rooster. Why try to say anything more?


This is the piano player who was on the last cruise we were on. He was cool. His piano playing is great. Singing... is, well. His piano playing is great. We didn't find out he was on board till the last night. On the Holland America Cruise we got to do name that tune in the piano bar three nights. It was cool.


Okay. I have to admit, I had to have a low blood sugar to get him in there, but the wings really were good, and the waitress was superb at getting my orange juice quick. She was great; and yes, she was hot in her shorts. I didn't, however, get a picture of her. Soorrrrryyyy.


Mr Rabbit stayed to make sure our cabin was safe. Good thing he did. We had quite the visitors. Here is one of the 5 different ones we had. Adorable, but they are always the ones you don't want to turn your back on, eh?


This is really silly on my part, but there were some Menenites who were in line behind us to go from the airport to the ship on the shuttle. I wanted to take a picture. They were very simply dressed, and of course I started wondering if they were going to wear swimsuits, blah, blah, blah. Well, finally I was able to document by photo that I saw them and they all seemed to have a conservatively good time. This is nothing bad or put down on them. I was glad to witness it.


We had a wonderful time having dinner conversation with Julie and Elvira. They were good people from Canada. We discussed what we had done during the day, and compared pictures. They were the reason we kept going back to dinner.


This might seem silly to some, but it shows that we were having lunch, and they played "Keep on Moving" by Soul to Soul. And I thought of Melissa a friend from work. So, I took a picture of the speakers.


This, of course, shows that I was also thinking of the parents. Also shows that I was wearing the bracelet Laura gave me for Christmas. From her "New Mens' line."


I wasn't going to put this picture of William with the guide, but then I saw the next one with the women just over his shoulder with the funny teeth and said what the...he was an awesome tour guide wth a great sense of humor. Maybe he had this curse that gives people standing next to him funny faces.




And of course, there are always faces.


I forget who this was, but it looks like he had something to say.


This was just a sweet peaceful moment. Nothing more.


I think it is a good thing that there are those of us who decorate and those of us who don't. I call these two straight boy celebratory design, and gay boy celebratory design. You can guess which is which.