Frankie and Slim

Frankie and Slim
Happy New Year

Monday, December 31, 2012

A BLESSED MESS

Question Of The Week 12-31-12

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

When have you worked hard and loved every minute of it?

I have never worked as hard as I did sifting through at least four feet of debris in one room of an old Kansas house Ron had purchased.  I had to wear a mask and gloves and dig through toxic waste to clear the room while uncovering small vintage treasures along the way.  Being able to sweep the cleared floor after hours and hours of work was a rewarding event.  After cleaning the found items I wondered what to do with them.  Thus began my seven year venture of being an eBay seller and a M.S.O.D. (Master Sifter of Debris or Miss Odd).


HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 
  

Friday, December 28, 2012

TO REHAB OR NOT TO REHAB?

My cardiac rehab is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Monday and Wednesday sessions are at 1:00PM and just for the girls.  Friday is at 11:00 AM and consists primarily of men who are on a maintenance program and can come and go and do whatever they want without supervision from a therapist. What they primarily do is sit and drink coffee.  (My therapist said their wives don't want them at home so they are killing time.)

Few, if any, of my lady friends show up on Friday.  The one fellow last week who was actually working out was next to me on the treadmill and was going so fast it made me think I needed to keep up with his pace.  There was no way.  Often the coffee drinkers break out in raucous laughter and it makes me wonder if they are laughing at me.

Usually I can mix well in any crowd and I'm not sure why this is so intimidating.  I think if the majority of them were at least exercising too, it might make more sense.  Instead they are having a coffee time with free coffee instead of hanging out at a cafe and having to pay.  (Actually they pay $32 per month for the maintenance program and  to use the facility so I guess the coffee isn't really free, but shouldn't someone suggest they use the time to exercise?)

Here is it Friday again and I really should go.  To rehab or not to rehab, that is the question ... and I must answer it before 11:00AM.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY

We gave ourselves a Kindle Fire HD for a combined Christmas and  anniversary present.  We can read books, listen to audio books, listen to Pandora radio (Ron can hear all the Ernest Tubbs he wants), we can play games etc.  It will especially come in handy in our doctor's waiting room visits.  (Should I admit that it was my idea and my purchase and the only one surprised with the gift was Ron?)

Meanwhile my favorite thing is to listen to audio books. I used to carry around my CD player in my pocket and listen with the headphones.  How was I going to carry my Kindle?

The design was in my head and I shared it with visiting niece and grand-niece.  My quandary was how to put it together without a sewing machine (and especially without any knowledge of sewing)?  They made the wonderful suggestion that I put it together using decorator duct tape.  And sew so I did:)  I used a padded envelope for the base of the project. Now I can carry it around on my Zoll LiveVest monitor belt and later just on a regular belt. Plus it just makes a nice carrying case for the Kindle.

This little padded carrier also fits nicely in the front zipper pocket of my new purse.
The Kindle slides in and out of the carrier nicely and is a perfect fit,

There are loops on the back but your can barely see them.
My  belt for the Life Vest monitor threads easily through the loops.
And here I am wearing my Life Vest monitor and my our new Kindle with ear phones attached.


Monday, December 24, 2012

AND THE ANSWERS!

Question(s) Of The Week 12-24-12
Already answered for you. 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Where did the saying "Jimmy Christmas" come from?

"Jimmy Christmas" or "Jiminy Christmas" is a direct reference to Jesus Christ and dates back to 1664, when it was first recorded as "Gemini," a twist on the Latin phrase Jesu domini. The name of the Walt Disney character Jiminy Cricket was probably based on this phrase.

Is the Christmas tree a Christian symbol? Where did it come from?

Decorated trees were used in winter celebrations long before the advent of Christianity. Plants and trees that remained green all year had a special significance for people who lived in cold-winter climes.

Ancient people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows. Some believed that evergreens kept witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness away. Romans decorated evergreen trees with trinkets and topped them with an image of their sun god. Druid sorcerers hung golden apples and lit candles on oak trees to celebrate the winter solstice.

It is generally agreed that the use of an evergreen tree as part of Christian Christmas celebrations started 400 years ago in Germany and spread to most of northern Europe by the 19th century.

How can we keep our cat away from our Christmas tree?

Folks have suggested a lot of things over the years, and you may have to try several until you find a method that fits your cat's personality. The most direct route may be to keep your cat out of the room where the tree is.

If that's not possible, try lining the tree's lower trunk with aluminum foil. Some cats hate the sound and feel of it and won't try to climb up with the foil there.

Another trick may be to keep a pot of ryegrass or catnip near the tree to act as a diversion. Cats may respond to loud noises or the popular method of spraying water at them when they begin to attack the tree, but we've found that their little cat brains forget this message pretty quickly, and they're soon back to cause trouble again.

In what language and what era was the word Yuletide used for the Christmas season? How did the word originate?

The word Yuletide originated from the word Yule, which was recorded In Latin writings as early as A.D. 726 At that time, the form of the word was guili. Both terms refer to a 12-day pagan feast celebrated around the time of year that has come to be known as the Christmas season.

Scholars can't agree on exactly when Christ was born, but how long has Christmas been celebrated on December 25?

The exact circumstances of the beginning of Christmas as we know it remain obscure. The oldest existing record of a feast to celebrate the birth of Christ is in the Roman almanac called the Chronographer of 354 or the Philocalian Calendar.

This almanac noted that a festival commemorating Christ's birth was observed by the church in Rome in the year 336. Chronographers of the third century were the ones who reckoned December 25, around the winter solstice, as the most likely day of Christ's birth.

Many historians believe that the church stirred up interest in a festival at this time of year to counter the pagan festivals surrounding the solstice, but no historical document proves Rome's involvement. The record shows that such a festival was adopted throughout the Christian world by the year 458. The word Christmas comes from "Christ's Mass."

Where does the saying "I wish you Godspeed" come from?

This dates back to a 15th century song sung by English ploughmen on Plough Monday, the first Monday after Twelfth Day, the end of the Christmas holidays. Before farm laborers went back to the fields, they dressed all in white and went from door to door drawing a plough and soliciting "plough money" to spend on a last celebration. The song lyric "Godspeed the plough" expressed a wish for success and prosperity and was soon shortened to just "Godspeed".

How long have people been sending out Christmas cards?

The first Christmas card is thought to have been printed in England in 1843. Wood engravers of the time often produced prints with religious themes, but this was the first time anyone produced these prints in quantity and sold them (1,000 copies in London). The design was of a family party, beneath which were the words "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You." In the mid-19th century in the United States, the owner of a variety store in Albany, New York, produced a card carrying Christmas greetings from "Pease's Great Variety Store in the Temple of Fancy."

How did the custom of giving Christmas presents originate?

The ancient Romans gave each other gifts on the calends (first day) of January, and the practice spread throughout the Roman Empire. Eventually, Christians moved the custom to December 25, although many Christians still give gifts on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus' divine nature to the Magi.


Do you know other questions and answers about Christmas?

Saturday, December 22, 2012

COMFORT AND JOY

This is my annual Christmas header for my blog. I designed it in 2009 from a Google banner image and inserted  my  portrait of Christ in the bulbs.

I am wishing each of you a 
Merry Christmas 
and hoping your personal faith, from whatever your source of strength, will bring you comfort and joy this wonderful season.

Friday, December 21, 2012

BONNIE HAS A GIRLFRIEND

I haven't mentioned Bonnie a lot on my blog.  Here is an early picture of Bonnie and Clyde.

As you can tell, Bonnie is another one of my birds that was named too soon.  Thought I knew the gender and was wrong...again.  Her sibling, (both hatched by our loving Mr. Gibson) was of course Clyde. The great, short-lived Clyde, gave his life in protection of the flock in his early adolescence, leaving Bonnie to become second in command to RC (Rooster Chicklet). Bonnie is a mild mannered gentleman who keeps a low profile and does not fight or argue with RC but helps keep watch and warns of intruders.

Also remember my mention of the renegade little band of chickens we have being led by Rooster King Kong.  They (King Kong, White Shadow, Chicken Little II and Lucky)  roost alone at night in the barn rafters and keep to themselves during the day.  

The other evening routinely counting the chickens at bedtime I came up with an extra in the hen house and was one short of the renegades in the rafters of the barn.  It seems Lucky had joined the main flock.  How strange that was until the next day when I saw Bonnie and Lucky spending all their time together.  Perhaps, like the Hatfields and McCoys, this love affair outside their own kind will bring the two fowl families together. 


Wednesday, December 19, 2012

HOP, HOP, HOPPING A'LONG

Visiting bunny rabbit fountain.
I believe it was 2005 when my siblings and I decided to share the expense of a fountain for our mother's apartment in a retirement home.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.  However, mother was not pleased...though she graciously attempted to pretend she was.  The first tactfully stated objection was that the sound of the water kept making her run to the bathroom.  We disconnected the water. The second mention was, if she fell she might impale herself on the taller rabbit's ears.  Not a pleasant vision in any of our minds, and so the fountain had to go.

We had all paid a portion so it was decided the rabbit would visit each of us annually.  My sister took it first.  My brother and I forgot about it.  I'm pretty sure my sister forgot about it also and had it outside their home somewhere. Recently it dawned on me that the rabbit existed and inquiry was made of my sister.  She remembered we were to share the fountain but I told her not to worry about it.  We didn't have a place for it anyway.  

Recently we had a sibling gathering for our early Christmas celebration and, you guessed it, here came the rabbits.  My poor bil nearly had an attack carrying it to this little table.  (It is a very heavy fountain.)  My sister does everything with flair and had to put some festive touches on the fountain.  She commented that she hoped the rabbits didn't lose the glitter on their balls. 

Next year it is going to our brother...unless we forget about it for another 7 years. 


Monday, December 17, 2012

BROKER OR BANKER

Question Of The Week 12-17-12

Did you meet a fork in the road?


What’s a quick decision you once made that changed your life?

It was my primary goal to work for Merrill-Lynch-Pierce-Fenner and Smith when I graduated.  I put in my application, interviewed and tested for a position and was awaiting their call.  Instead a local bank called me, interviewed me, offered me a job and I took it.  Two weeks after starting with the bank, Merrill-Lynch called and made an offer.  The salary and benefits were almost identical.  I did not feel right about leaving the current position after only two weeks and stayed in banking...for 32 years.

I just made a quick decision to post this link to ALWAYS NESTING for some amazing gift wrapping ideas. Don't think it will change my life but it sure will help me out.

Friday, December 14, 2012

FORTUNE COOKIES AGAIN

Seeing this made me realize I needed to re-run this post from 2007

  FORTUNE COOKIE ETIQUETTE AND/OR RULES

The fold of the cookie faces the person it is meant for – not the crimped ends. (Make sure you pick the correct cookie.)

Do not touch the other fortune cookies – only yours. (It negates a fortune if you touch it and it is not yours.)

If the fortune cookie tastes good, the fortune will be bad. If the fortune cookie tastes bad, the fortune will be good.

NEVER open your fortune cookie until you are completely through with your meal.

Always add the words, “in bed” at the end of reading your fortune aloud. Example: You are ready to take on the world…….in bed. Do the right thing, regardless of what others think…..in bed. You have a friendly heart and are well admired……in bed.


DO YOU KNOW OTHER FORTUNE COOKIE RULES?

I always collect the discarded fortunes of our group in restaurants. I fold them and keep the fortunes in a jar by the front door. When someone leaves, they can read their fortune on the way out. .

Always go to Chinese Restaurant after Thanksgiving
!


Re-run from November 23, 2007 post.

Monday, December 10, 2012

IMPATIENCE

Question Of The Week 12-10-12

My husband's pet peeve is probably that I am always in such a rush. 
Slow motion is my pet peeve.  When I'm ready to go I want everyone ready to go.

What is your greatest pet peeve?




Monday, December 03, 2012

EAVESDROPPING

Question Of The Week 12-03-12




What is the funniest or strangest thing you, or someone you know, has overheard in a public place?

My friend Karen and her sister overheard this in a stall in a public restroom: "Corn!  When did I eat corn?"

My daughter Chelle overheard in a department store dressing room: "Why did my mother have to pray that I wouldn't have chicken legs?  That was her one concern that I not have chicken legs.  She couldn't pray for my health or for beauty but for no chicken legs and now I'm stuck with these tree trunks!" 

Saturday, December 01, 2012

SOAPBOX

It is time to get off my soapbox and get back to information of interest to all.

Everyone carries their own share of burdens. Not everyone will share theirs with the world like I do. I have often noted that I will even tell the postal carrier my troubles if they will hold still long enough.

Today my thoughts and prayers are for those who suffer in silence yet carry tremendous trials and tribulations. We must keep looking for a positive light as we all climb this steep medical mountain together loaded down with bags of heavy emotions.

Thank you for you cares and concerns and awesome prayer.  My email link is in the "About Me" section for any interest in our health matters or to share your own issues.  

Be sure and look for the Question Of The Week on Monday:)

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