Partay!!

Just Wrong

on so many levels.

go to the Today Show's page and watch the clip about "You've won the lottery".

"Buddies" playing pranks on one of their own. As Matt Lauer says - you will either want to laugh or cry at seeing and hearing what is done to this guy.

THOUGHTFUL
On the same page, check out the interview with Rachel Simmons, author of "Odd Girl Out" and "Odd Girl Stands Out" and learn a bit about "tween" girls (those between the ages of 9-13) and bullying. Very thought provoking.

That is all for now. Do have a nice Thursday, everyone.

Merry Christmas

DREAM BIG -

Dare to Fail

Colonel Norman Vaughan passed away yesterday at the age of 100. He had hoped to climb HIS mountain again this year in honor of his 100th birthday.

Norman had a great smile - great ambition - was a pretty doggone good writer (I have an autographed copy of My Life of Adventure) - just a really neat old guy. We'll miss you, Norman! On to your next dream.

About 6 or 7 years ago I almost literally ran into him outside Providence Hospital in Anchorage. I was rushing in (yeah, right) to have my annual mammogram and he was hobbling out to his car (!!!) using a walker after some minor surgery or some such. But he remembered me from the book signing and was so pleasant to speak with even then.

My sympathies to his wife and his friends and family.

Memmmmmmmm'ries

I think this one qualifies as a "favorite" Christmas memory:

Dan posts a memory from a few years ago - I remember this post as an original! ;-)

You have to read through this entry by Ava, but in the end she shares her favorite Christmas memory.

And, while it probably doesn't qualify as a Christmas memory, I found this entry by Bonnie B to be very nice.

And, thanks to Lessa and JK (in comments on the 21st) for posting their favorite Christmases:

and, then there is mine

Who's next???? I'm pretty sure I saw one on either Phyllis' or Mary Lou's at one time, but I can't find them now - if they were there. If so, please share, ladies.

prplmoose AT kenaiwriter DOT net

P.S. we got about 6-8 inches of new snow yesterday! Hurrah! Today it is foggy and cool. (then one foggy Christmas eve . . . and all that)

Thank You!!!!

Thanks whoever is dreaming of a white Christmas for Kenai . . . it's working!

We've gone from dreary and nasty, wet and icy, to . . .

now if it will just stick until Christmas!

And, thanks to Lessa and JK (in yesterday's comments) for posting their favorite Christmases:

and, then there is mine

Who's next????
prplmoose AT kenaiwriter DOT net

Your Favorite Christmas?

Back a few entries ago I asked you all what your favorite Christmas memory was. And I asked if you would post it and then share the url with me. So, what did you come up with?

Thanks, Lessa, for sharing your favorite. That brought back some happy memories for me, too.

I've had some memorable Christmases, but I would have to say that the one that comes to mind the easiest when I think of favorites happened some 50 years ago when I was about 5 - may have been the year I was 6, though. I remember clearly which rent house we were living in at the time, so I know it had to be about that time.

Times were tough - money was tight. That was usually the way it was when I was young. Daddy seldom kept a job long for a variety of reasons.

But that Christmas was a bit tougher for my sister and me because we were home sick with some childhood illness. I want to say measles, but can't quite recall. I just remember I was unable to go to the school Christmas party nor the family Christmas party.

You see, Dad was one of 13 children in a tight knit Irish family. Every year they had a family party, drawing names because they all had at least 2 kids - most had more than that - and it would have been really hard to buy for everyone. We would all get together at the church basement and "Santa" would even come to visit us to hand out the presents.

That year we were quarantined. Poor Mom. I think she finally destroyed the record sis and I insisted on playing over and over and OVER again . . . I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause . . .

Then a few days before Christmas a knock came at our door - and "Santa" was there replete in scarlet and white finery and a pack on "his" back. Sis and I had been remembered after all and we even got a personal visit from the main man. (We didn't realize until years later that the family santa was portrayed year after year by one of Dad's sisters, Aunt Ruth Redd)

But the topper of Christmas was when we came downstairs that morning to find a treasure under our tree. Without money Mom had despaired of what to give her girls. So she had stayed up late into the night for weeks hand stitching new outfits for our dolls. And, there, under the tree were our dolls - all lined up - and each dressed in new finery. Even then I knew it was a special gift.

Later I found out how much it had cost my Mom. She caused severe strain to her eyes and had to wear patches and dark glasses for several weeks after.

She had a big heart - she had a great love for us girls. I miss her more each year as I watch my own girls and their broods.
================
Illnesses seem to come at Christmas time, don't they? Lessa's first Christmas was one such time. She was burning with fever and I have a photo of the two of us sitting on the floor. She has that icky sicky sad baby look about her and I have the tired, worried mommy "don't you DARE point that camera at me again" look about me.

She was nine months old - teething - nothing serious, but oh so scary to a first time mommy.
================
And, today I came home from work early - my voice had just given out and hardly anyone could understand me. I've had a touch of something that I am trying to keep out of my chest and the frog in the throat and constant clearing of said frog has resulted in the hoarseness.

So, I wrapped gifts all afternoon - and watched movies - Miracle on 34th Street. First the original and then the remake. I like them both.
================

And, now it is your turn to share your memories. Email your url and I will post it. prplmoose AT kenaiwriter DOT net.

Road Trip

It was a dark and stormy night . . .

oh, wait - that's the beginning to Snoopy's great novel, isn't it?

Actually, it was not a bad ride up to Anchortown Friday. Of course, Lessa and I were doing it in the day time. We had pretty good roads, albeit quite wet and windshield smearingly nasty roads. Did I mention it was raining???

Raining!!! In December!!! In Alaska!!! Y'all keep on dreaming of a white Christmas, will ya? For Alaska!!! Sheesh!

Ahem, where was I?

Oh, yes - road trip!!!!

(note to all - just how many !!! can the moosie use in one post without falling off her stool?)

Actually you can read a pretty good synopsis of the trip over at Lessa's place, complete with meal information. ;-) So, I'll not go over it all again.

Suffice it to say that Anchorage is NOT a safe town when two determined small town women come up to shop - AND - they have money with which to do it. Heh. Generally I do an in and out when shopping in Anchorage. Not this time - and not with Lessa. As she says - Anchorage has STUFF and we needed STUFF so we had to buy STUFF. Our Christmas lists were duly checked and checked off time and time again.

The trunk filled up rapidly and we began on the back seat. This was all on Friday, btw, and we were overnighting it in order to SHOP some more on Saturday before returning to Kenai. And, then we thought we might be bringing someone back to Kenai with us so we began to panic just a wee bit. There were lots of comments about purchasing a car-top carrier, or strapping the visitor to the hood like a trussed deer, OR boxing up and mailing home our purchases. After all, the airport branch of the postal service is open 24 hours a day!

Then a phone call home discovered that the in-bound gent had already flown in from Anchorage so the back seat was once again fair game to fill. And, fill it we did. Lessa has photos to prove it, but those will have to wait until after next Sunday because we know how little eyes love to play I Spy.

I had a great time, Lessa - we need to do it again some time. It's been a long while. Oh, and the chocolate from your pillow? Nummy.

heh

p.s. Thanks to Paw-Paw Moosie (fondly known as Gramps to the Boy) for holding down the fort at home - for feeding and watching over the younguns so we could play - AND - for financing part of the trip. Yay!

THE YEAR 1905

One hundred years ago. What a difference a century makes!

Here are some of the U.S. statistics for the Year 1905 :

The average life expectancy in the U.S. was 47 years.

Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub.

Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.

A three-minute call from Denver to New York City cost eleven dollars.

There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.

The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.

Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California.

With a mere 1.4 million people, California was only the 21st most populous state in the Union.

The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!

The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per hour.

The average U.S. worker made between $200 and $400 per year ..

A competent accountant could expect to earn $2000 per year,

a dentist $2,500 per year,

a veterinarian between $1,500 and $4,000 per year, and

a mechanical engineer about $5,000 per year.

More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. took place at home ..

Ninety percent of all U.S. doctors had no college education.

Instead, they attended so-called medical schools, many of which were condemned in the press and by the government as "substandard."

Sugar cost four cents a pound.

Eggs were fourteen cents a dozen.

Coffee was fifteen cents a pound.

Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used borax or egg yolks for shampoo.

Canada passed a law that prohibited poor people from entering into their country for any reason.

Five leading causes of death in the U.S. were:
1. Pneumonia and influenza

2. Tuberculosis

3. Diarrhea

4. Heart disease

5. Stroke

The American flag had 45 stars.
Arizona, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Alaska hadn't been admitted to the Union yet.

The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!

Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea hadn't been invented yet.

There was no Mother's Day or Father's Day.

Two out of every 10 U.S. adults couldn't read or write.

Only 6 percent of all Americans had graduated from high school.

Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at the local corner drugstores. Back then pharmacist said, "Heroin clears the complexion, gives buoyancy to the mind, regulates the stomach and bowels, and is, in fact, a perfect guardian of health." (Shocking!)

Eighteen percent of households in the U.S. had at least one full-time servant or domestic help.

There were about 230 reported murders in the entire U.S.

And I inserted this from someone else without typing it myself, and provided it to you in a matter of seconds!

Try to imagine what it may be like in another 100 years.

It staggers the mind.

Concerts, Concerts, Concerts

I think we are done with the Christmas concert season now. Not sure if the third grader has one - I haven't heard if he does. IF he does, we will be there, too - and loving it.

First off last week was the first and second grade concert. 225 children on stage - one music teacher (!!!!) and several support staff behind the wings. My goodness! What a great performance. Mrs. L does a wonderful job with these kids - lots of rhythm instruments and cute songs.

This concert was at the high school theatre which seats 900. The lower level must hold 700 or so. It was packed! They had to open the balcony for overflow. Oldest grandson was invited up by a girl in his class. Mama Lessa sent oldest daughter to keep an eye on them. ;-)

Also last week was said grandson's choir concert. Same theatre. Not quite as many kids on stage. Not nearly as many people in the theatre which I thought was sad.

These kids are good! Very enjoyable concert. Some of the selections sounded very familiar . . . probably because Ms. Ladybug attended that school and had that teacher and sang those same songs in HER Christmas concert. Counting these babies of ours we will likely hear Hodie at least 5 more times.

Last night was the last of the concerts. Ms. Thang did her thang with Clarabelle. (that's what Paw-Paw Moosie calls her clarinet). The band teacher does a combination concert of the high school bands and the middle school bands. Ms. Thang is in the beginning middle school band.

little rant . . . for the second concert in a row they left her name off the program!!!! But Ms. S. made up for it last night by standing and announcing that she had forgotten one student's name on the program and wanted to specially introduce Ms. Thang, clarinetist. Big blushes from the girl, which her mama recorded on film. /little rant

Sadly, again, the theatre was not full. And those parents who simply drop their children off to perform and pick them up afterwards are a bit lower than dirt in my book. They missed a GREAT concert. Lots of rhythm instruments - chimes, keyboards (three different ones all using mallets - have no clue what they are called. They are not really keyboards), bongo drums, tympani, snares, etc. And, all of the wind instruments you can name.

I only heard one squeak.

Soooooooooo the next round of concerts won't be until the spring. By then there will be vast improvement in all, I'm sure.

Are you thinking of your favorite Christmas moment? Don't forget to email me your link so I can post it here on the 20th. prplmoose AT kenaiwriter DOT net

Favorites

Let's play a game, shall we?

Put on your thinking caps and memory joggers and find your favorite childhood Christmas memory. Write it up and post it on your site. Then, comment here or email me with the url and I will post it.

Do you have one Christmas that comes immediately to mind? I do.

Let's all think about it and then meet back here on, say, the 20th. And, if you have a photo from that time - or just a favorite Christmas photo, pull that out, scan it and post it with your story.

Just sounds like fun to me.

In the meantime, here's an oft emailed Christmas story that I found while digging through past Christmas letters. I shared this with our Christmas card list back in 1998. Grab a tissue . . .

The Gold Slippers

It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season hadn’t yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse. Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles.

Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as my head. My list contained names of several people who claimed they wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn’t buy them anything. Buying for someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of items, I considered gift-buying anything but fun.

Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest but it looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait. In front of me were two small children — a boy of about 5 and a younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans. He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands. The girl’s clothing resembled her brother’s. Her head was a matted mass of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face.

She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers. As the Christmas music sounded in the store’s stereo system, the girl hummed along, off-key but happily. When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully placed the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were a treasure. The clerk rang up the bill. “That will be $6.09,” she said. The boy laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he
searched his pockets. He finally came up with $3.12. “I guess we will have to put them back, “ he bravely said. “We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow.”

With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. “But Jesus would have loved these shoes, “ she cried.

“Well, we’ll go home and work some more. Don’t cry. We’ll come back,” he said. Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas. Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice said, “Thank you lady.”

“What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?” I asked. The boy answered, “Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus.” The girl spoke, “My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won’t mommy be beautiful walking on those streets to match these shoes?”

My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. “Yes,” I answered, “I am sure she will.” Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the true spirit of giving.”

Praising

Tonight I am praising the Father that I fellowship with believers who believe and practice James 1:27.

Sly Foxes

slipped it right on past me

Right there in front of my eyes!!!!

Cryptic, so cryptic I MISSED it!!

And only know now because the dan-man thought he was actually older than the moose - nup, no way, taint happenin' friend of mine! The moose has 10 months and some days on the both of yas.

Not that I'm bragging or such, being as I look so durned young and all . . .

see, nary a wrinkle.

But seriously, friends . . . . I guess you didn't want a big deal made of it or something . . . . and so it has to be belated . . . .

HAPPY DOUBLE NICKLE DAN AND LINKY!!! (11-04-50)

SNOW DAY!

The Moose Goes on a Snow Day
(photos taken after a fresh snow in late November)

Yippee, let's go play!

I wanna play in the boat . . .

and go down the slide . . .

and ride the plane . . .

and the tractor . . .

and the train!

and the swing, too

Happy Moosie!

Family Christmas Gifts . . .

In past years hubby has gifted the girls and their families with:

the Pizzaz Pizza maker

and

Jet Stream Ovens - although I think they each got one of those for wedding gifts not Christmas gifts. (We are actually on our 5th or 6th one, I think. We use it nearly every night to cook dinner.)

He is all about the fun, wouldn't buy this for myself, type gifts.

He bought the family gifts today while we were shopping with the youngest boy-chick. They are tucked away in the back room. (no peeking, girls - well, they know what happens to gifts that have been spied upon - just ask 'em)

I'll let you know after Christmas what they are - and now you ALL will wonder. Heh.

Small Town Life

It would seem that the moosie is a bit of an airhead - we have been having extremely cold temps in our area. When that happens, tires often form flat spots that take awhile to warm up and smooth out the ride.

That's what I thought was happening -

for the past few days -

guess what? That wasn't it at all.

Yesterday during lunch I ran over to the bank to deposit my paycheck and was happily sitting in line at the drive-through when suddenly . . .

tap - tap - tap

on the driver's side window. A friendly enough young man was standing there smiling at me so I buzzed the window down. Only to hear "Ma'am, do you know that the rear passenger tire is flat?" "Ummmm no, I didn't know that." "If you would like we can change it for you."

So I backed out of the line and pulled over to a reasonably flat spot in the parking lot and waited while they continued to do their banking. I called hubby and asked him to come over to take me back to work because I would have to take the car in for a new tire.

A coworker pulled up and asked if I had gotten in touch with my hubby and I reassured her that all was well.

The young men came over and we began to work on the tire change. Well, they did all of the work - I just got the little donut tire out from under the trunk rug for them - after having to completely shove EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD from the trunk into the now opened up back seat (it folds down to make transporting big stuff easier).

Have I said how nice these young men were? The one changing the tire did it in his bare hands - in 6 degree weather!!!! I offered him my gloves but he said no thanks - maybe it was because they were purple striped knit gloves - I dunno.

He shared with me that his dad owns an automotive shop a ways north from Kenai (also known as North Kenai - clever, huh?) and that he worked with his dad in his shop. His friend also introduced himself to me, but in my airheadedness I have forgotten his name.

When hubby met me at the tire store I knew what was going to happen and sure enough . . . yup, not one tire needed, but TWO tires. They, of course, did not have any of the tires to match the ones on my car (that they had sold me a couple of years ago). Fresh out, we were told. So that meant we would have to buy at least two tires (if not four - well, no, NOT!) so they would have corresponding tread, etc.

Hubby made payment arrangements and also arranged to have four new tires put on his van this morning and then he took me to the store to grab some soup to eat in my office, since my lunch hour was now gone, all gone.

But you really must love small town life when two young men (turns out that the one changing my tire was only 17) would offer their help like this. It would appear that I have been driving on a flat tire (or nearly flat tire) for at least two days - decided because of the damage done to the tire. Did anyone else stop me to tell me that my tire was damaged? Nope. It took a coupla "kids" to do that.

I called his dad when I got back to my office. Thanked him for what his son had done and shared with him that it is unusual and much appreciated. I think it is only right, after all, that a parent should hear when their child has done something good. Don't you agree?

Hubby later called the dad as well to thank him.

Augustine is restless - check out the webcam

The best time to check, of course, is during the daytime. We are currently headed towards the shortest day of the year (Dec. 20) and our daylight hours are getting shorter and shorter. We'll get down to about 5.5 hours of possible daylight by the 20th - for our location. Up north from here (way up north) they will not see the sun until April I think it is. It gets dimly lit during the day, but no sun. Not sure how I would handle that - might need me some "happy lights" if I lived in an area that didn't see the sun for months at a time.
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Now, fair warning - if you have a weak tummy don't click onto the rest of my day's story . . .

Still here? Well, I warned you, didn't I?

We had a meeting last night - a weekly training - and I had been feeling a bit punk all day anyway. Two of the granddaughters had been puny earlier in the week and another coworker had gone home sick Wednesday and Thursday as well.

So, is it any wonder when I spent the night hugging the porcelain bowl? Nah, I thought not. Of course it couldn't have happened while I was up and about - noooooooooooooooooooo - started when I went to bed. About every hour or so I would have to jump up and run for the bathroom.

Urgh!! fore and aft!! Yuk!!

Tummy is still a bit unsettled tonight. I have been pretty much out of it all day - well, that is no wonder since I didn't finally quit the above hugging of said bowl until after 4:30 this morning. "Slept in" thanks to hubby. Didn't even hear the older grands come in for breakfast. I heard the younger one (she is making up for lost time after having that tooth worked on) as she chattered away to her grandpa. And, then it was quiet and I snoozed on until about 10:30.

Had a chiro appt. at noon, so I forced myself up and into the shower and clean clothes. She adjusted me and sent me home - said they wouldn't do the massage because they didn't want to stir up any residual toxins and make me sicker. I appreciate that.

So I bought some sugar free popsicles and an electrolyte-type drink to try to get rehydrated - and snoozed off and on while Madagascar played in the background. I think I am going to have to re-watch it because I missed a lot of it today.

Never fear, the moosie will be good as new tomorrow - and have new tires to boot. Yay!