365/365

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEARS - NEW YEAR'S EVE?
I was singing that song with a resident today and now it's stuck in my head... Here's a cute little hipster version if you want to sing along.  Anyway, I kind of couldn't wait to get back to the house tonight. I came in from work and immediately put my after school clothes on.  Call me crazy but I was so looking forward to staying in. Within 5 minutes from entering the house I was under the covers for a much needed nap. It wasn't very long - just a little one before getting ready for dinner. I had planned on catching up on some art classes but I didn't get around to it.  I got the email announcing KRR's painting class so I signed up for that - as a gift from Glo and The Dad.  I actually almost missed midnight. (BTW - I'm writing this around 2 am.)  I was busy in the kitchen preparing some things for tomorrow and The Dad was watching some cooking show and the time escaped me.  I ran in a couple minutes before midnight and welcomed in 2014... then I went back to making potato salad! What a life.

Do what you love - love what you do.

Happy New Year. ;-)

364/365

INCANTATION REPLACED RESOLUTION
I'm not really thinking of resolutions at the moment... there are some things I wish to see present themselves in this coming year..  I have a little list started. For now, I'm good with that.  There is something magical about the first of days -  the first in the new year, new month, new week...  What do you wish for in 2014?

363/365

TOFFEE TALK
The Dad has been obsessed with the LegalZoom commercials that showcase that toffee company.  He asks me every single time if it's a real company.  This has been going on for a long time. I ordered him some for Christmas. It's ok... not the best I've had - but good.

There was a guy he knew in the Army, Denny, that used to send toffee to my Grandmother every single year.  I can't remember where that was from - I think he lived in Montana... 

Anyway, both The Dad and I are obsessed with drinks... he's always trying to time when I'm going to get back to the house so he has some sort of float or smoothie or icee ready for when I walk in.  I made salted carmel hot chocolate and chopped up some of the toffee to put on top. Here's the last few drinks we've had...

361/365

GONE TO THE DOGS
Sometimes the puppy looks so small - she's sitting by my feet and she looks like a little pup...  She had to go to the vet last week - poor thing has another ear infection! She lost 1/2 a pound too!  Go Puppy Dog!  She's just over 20 lbs now.  They had a sign welcoming all the animals for the day...

She hasn't been very snuggly with me lately and I don't like that.  She's been sitting at the bottom of the bed - hasn't come under the covers in my arms. ;-( Anyway, she's on meds again - kind of like a Zpack schedule so I had to make a chart.

360/365

DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL
Have you seen the photos of the father and young daughter... the wife died when the little girl was one. Before moving out of their house - they captured some adorable shots to remember the house they all lived in and recreated some photos taken on their wedding day.  Story here.

*Photo(s) by Melanie Tracy Pace.... some behind the scenes info and more shots on her blog here.

359/365

REINDEER GAMES
This Christmas didn't really seem like Christmas.  Maybe it was the weather or the fact that I didn't even finish shopping. I just couldn't get it together this year and had to back out of having anything. Some may think it's a good thing but I don't think it's the same.  It just doesn't feel right. I didn't have my late night coffee while cleaning up the kitchen! ;-(  I had to work today and went straight to the grocery store after since we didn't have leftovers! It was still a nice Christmas. The Knapp's graciously invited us over yesterday for dinner.  Carey broke out the photo albums and we found this lovely one. The two of us in the game room on a life size reindeer The Dad got from work.  Note that Carey and I have matching sweaters on. ;-)

358/365

WRAPPER'S DELIGHT
I didn't go to bed until around 3:30 last night and The Dad was up even later... even so, I still didn't have anything finished for today.  I woke up this morning to things everywhere and a bunch of stuff to wrap...

I have always wrapped as I shopped... I would write a number on the back of the package and if I needed to return or whatever I could easily find it.  Not this year... I let everything go and here we were this morning with nothing done.  Luckily Lily didn't get up until after 11 and The Dad until after 12!

Lily is a really good shopper... she does have a built in theme, though, so it kind of makes it easier for her... Here she is doing her best impersonation of the pup on the notepad, journal and pocket calendar she got me...

And who knew that Skipper was a pug lover?  Well, I did and kind of tipped Lily off on that gift!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

357/365

WORKING LIKE A DOG
I had to go to work today for a few hours.  The puppy dog came with me!

We made a ton of room visits - 60 or so on three floors. She was up and down the steps and in and out of the elevator.  Everyone was so happy to see her.  It's amazing really  - some people that I never ever heard talk carried on full conversations with her! They like reminiscing about their pets and all couldn't stop thanking me for bringing her in. Almost every person said it made their day.  One of the residents asked if I would address some cards for her and Lily sat at the foot of the bed and took a nap.  She's such a good little pup! We gave everyone a photo of her in her scarf and wished them a Merry Christmas.  If I can get over the whole MRSA on her paws paranoia - I think we may make this a regular thing.

356/365

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE
We spent the whole friggin day and night shopping. AGAIN.  I had no intention of staying out like this but it happened.  We closed down Taipei Tokyo and then went to Kohl's... and guess what?  I STILL didn't finish up yet... I need to order some things I guess.  My shopping days are OVER for this season. FINISHED.  DONE.  Bah Humbug. I hate shopping. Anyway, this Christmas has been really weird.  Maybe it's because I'm working now - not sure. I'm in a huge amount of pain so it hasn't been that enjoyable and I just can't seem to organize my thoughts. I can't focus on anything and I have no interest in trying to and I've been really cold.  What's funny is we saw this Hot Flash Mama coffee mug today and were cracking up... me, miss hot stuff - cold?!? I'm not physically cold... just have this coldness around me. I always got this warm feeling here... and at my in-laws (at Christmas and always) and things don't feel that way anymore.  Maybe it's all the shit going on with Dixon House? I think I'm feeling it's sadness. Or maybe it's missing the old rituals and things.  You would have thought that last year being the cancer year would have been worse but it wasn't. I don't know how to explain it. Anyway,  I'm hooked on the yule log.  I spy a little tiny elf dancer in the pic I took while we were "sitting by the fire." Do you see him on the left side of the screen?

355/365

TAKE THESE BROKEN WINGS AND LEARN TO FLY

I've been driving around with the cemetery flowers in the car for a month and a half... figured today would be a good day to finally put them up since it was kind of nice - though rainy. After we put the flowers up, we spent all day shopping (again) or attempting to - believe it or not I didn't really get anything I actually needed. I didn't get home until after 11.  It took me awhile to lug all the bags upstairs and I realized I forgot to take all of my evening pills.. I took my pill case out of my purse and pulled my phone out at the same time.  I put the phone on the table and took my pills and heard someone calling my name. I heard all this chatter and through it my name being said a few times.  It was pretty clear. I thought, for sure, that I must have accidentally dialed someone when I took my phone out and they were calling out to me so I reached for it but there was nobody on it.

354/365

YULETIDE MELTDOWN
I would like to state for the record that I officially hate shopping - I was out all day yesterday and all day today and I am still nowhere near done. And I can't walk. I just can't get with it this year and I really don't care. I'm not really stressed about it too much. I'm just kind of over it. I took some decorations out last week and put almost half of them back already.  I can't stand looking at some of my favorite things - they are kind of making me sick.  Some of the snowmen were reminding me of Dixon House and I was getting disgusted by them.  Not your fault snow peeps! I'm going to bed. Wake me up next year.

353/365

TRUE THAT
I've said it before and I'll say it again...

352/365

YOU SEE I'M OVERDUE... I'M IN A RABBIT STEW...
FYI - I don't care who you are or what you do... everyone's time is valuable.

351/365

HOW MUCH ARE YOU WORTH?
Apparently this is my number...

350/365

CHRISTMAS IS COMING... a little too fast
So, next Tuesday is Christmas Eve? One week from today?!  I just realized that over the weekend. I seriously thought there was another week. Why does this always happen to me?!? How do you people that go to work EVERY day do it? I need another month - at least!

349/365

VISIONS OF SUGAR-PLUMS
Lily made some friends yesterday while waiting to see Santa - this little girl behind us kept calling her Lils.  I guess she heard me saying it.

Lily was super good and very patient - we waited over an hour in line! She was more interested in what was going on in the stores... she kept catching herself in the store windows... looks like I snapped this at the right moment... see the date?  12/16.

There were some other whackadoodles there with their dogs and a crazy cat lady with some uncooperative felines and there were families with their kids... A cute little girl (also named Lily) with two high ponytails - one red and one green... several tutu wearing toddlers... the sweetest little boy who had a big long list with him that he read on Santa's lap...  Sometimes I think I would have been better suited to be the mom of boys.  I don't know. On the other hand, I am very fond of the toddler tutu. ;-)  Even though I was right there in line with my darling little pup in her adorable coat -  I think I will always wonder what could have been.

348/365

SANTA RECAP
It was Santa Picture day for the good little dogs and cats. I wasn't too impressed with this year's Santa experience but he was better than some of them. Here's my annual recap.

2008 - Lily was just a little Santa Baby this Christmas... just a couple months old...

2009 - South Hills Village Santa... I still think this guy was from the North Pole...

2010 - Dude looks like a lady Santa...

2011 - Disheveled Santa...

2012 -I would rather be doing anything but this Santa...

2013 - I went back to the mall and not the pet store this year... we're getting closer with a better santa and he was super nice and good with the animals but the ambience wasn't there on this one..

I actually like the pic I took in line better... she was kind of mesmerized by the train. And that coat? Seriously - so fetch.

347/365

THERE AIN'T NO HOLE IN THE WASHTUB

We had a great time tonight at Carey and Terry's annual Christmas Soiree.   Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas was on for the kids!  Oh how I love Emmet Otter and friends! There wasn't a hole in the washtub tonight but there was a little problem in the powder room.   I hope this video link works - 22 seconds of what was one of the most hilarious rescues ever.

346/365

INTRODUCING... MR. PAPAGIORGIO THE ELF
I bought this elf last year... I had other plans for it.  Maybe next year... for now he's just keeping an eye on things...

345/365

CIRCLE OF LIFE
I had a weird feeling tonight... I was the only one working late night - I had an evening craft... this reindeer.

Before I left, I delivered the mail... most were in bed by then or getting ready to go to bed.  As I went in and out of the darkened rooms I got a strange feeling. Some were snuggled under the covers - childlike.  Others were brushing their teeth or getting their pajamas on.  Some of them that are more aware knew I was off for the next few days. They told me to enjoy myself and be careful going home and to watch the weather. On one hand, it was like I was being hugged by my grandma and, on the other, it was like I was putting my kids to bed.  It's a strange place to be - actually and figuratively.

344/365

THOSE WHO SPEAK THE LOUDEST OFTEN HAVE NOTHING TO SAY

343/365

THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST
I had a dream about my mother the other night... I can't remember what it was about now and I didn't write it down. I always write it down. ;-( I posted this before but I'm doing it again since I came across it recently...it's one of my favorite Christmas photos.

342/365

THE COBBLER'S CHILDREN HAVE NO SHOES
You know what's funny?  I don't even put a Christmas tree up... There are two up year round at the bottom of the steps and one in the living room  and a couple other ones here and there but no actual Christmas tree... there's no room and I don't even know where they are and, for some reason this year, I'm not really all that enthused.  I started going through one bin and took a few things out and then put everything all back.

I decorated the trees at work and have been making crafts there... I just can't get into it at The Dad's.  Bah Humbug.  I barely have shopping done - just a few things I ordered and I haven't even thought of what's going on for dinner... me, the girl that has the theme and menu for next Christmas-Christmas night?!? I guess those days are over.

Anyway, maybe if I watch this a few times I'll get into the Christmas spirit. I'm a sucker for flash mobs... Did you see this one?

341/365

GOD BLESS US, EVERY ONE
Well, with one trip under my belt, I was off on another - two days later. They are certainly breaking me in.  I took a group to The Byham to see A Musical Christmas Carol...I even got Cara to volunteer and she rode in the van with us... next I'm going to have her read to inner city school children! ;-)

340/365

THE S'MORE THE MERRIER
I am a big fan of Land of Nod... I've bought some really great things there for gifts and some things for RoseBud, actually, that Lily now uses!  Someone was laughing at me the other day because I buy books for my dogs... I've also bought books for my teddy bear but that's another story.  Anyway, if I had the room (and I totally think Lily can use her own room) I would buy this for the Lily Bud...

... along with the most adorable "campfire" ever.

OMG - seriously??? Isn't that the cutest thing ever?

If you want more cute - take a look at these plush instruments from 1Canoe2...

 Go buy something at Land of Nod.  (All photos from their site.)

339/365

CELEBRATE THE SEASON
I was originally told that in a year or so I would start taking groups on outings by myself... well, it only took a little over 2 months before that happened. I guess they thought I knew what I was doing.    I took 5 residents to a Holiday luncheon today at, of all places, ESWP. They all had a great time and got some really spectacular prizes that they were very happy with. It turned out to be a really nice event!

338/365

BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER
I'll admit it... sometimes when I saw a photo of Nelson Mandela I questioned whether or not I was mistaken and it was actually a photo of Morgan Freeman.

337/365

YOU ARE  MY SUNSHINE
Came across this the other day...

336/365

NO PAIN, NO GAIN
I feel really, really terrible. They still can't get my blood pressure regulated. I've been getting dizzy at work. The nurses are all concerned.  I'm now on another pill in addition to doubling the original one.  I have been in a lot of pain too. I think it's tamoxifen related but I don't know...  I should have my hand in a brace but it's annoying so I'm not wearing it and I'm probably making it worse. I'm supposed to go to therapy but I haven't had a minute to schedule anything. This working shit sucks.  I can't even pick up the bud to take her into bed.  I screamed so loud Thanksgiving night when I tried to get her out of the car - I'm surprised I didn't wake up the whole street.

335/365

HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN???
I heard on some show that today is Britney's birthday.  December 2nd - I think I knew that but wouldn't have remembered... anyway, she's f-ing 32?!?  32!?! How the hell did that happen? When did we go to Vegas for her HBO special???  I thought that was the November after September 11th because I remember being hesitant to fly.  So that was 2001. Wasn't she just a baby then? I just don't get how she got this old!?! Nor will I ever get this fashion choice! ;-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRITNEY.

334/365

ALL HAIL THE TURKEY BUTTER 

We had Thanksgivukkah at The Knapp's... I was a little worried about Glo getting up and down the steps but we managed ok... she did better than expected.

This is the first time since 1888 that Hanukkah and Thanksgiving were on the same day...

... and it was an excellent reason to have Sharon's fab potato latkes with our turkey!

We lit the menorah and had some cider... I think I could have had eight of these for each night of Hanukkah...

I made sure that The Bud went potty so there would be no accidents... but just as we were ending the evening guess what happened? It's not over 'till the fat lady sings?  No, it's not over 'till Lily pees in the living room!