What Are You Doing New Years?

For us, it's going to be a Chinese take-out and jammie night. We're both working tomorrow, for me it's 5am to 3:15 pm, so if I'm going to ring 2008, I'm going to need a nap! Anyway, here is one place where I will NOT be tomorrow night:


Times Square

Almost did go there today, since we never did get around to checking out the tree in Rockefeller Center this year. But the weather got a little yucky, so our plans changed. Oh well, there's always next year.

So we'll be on our couch tomorrow night, watching all the crazy people who will be in Times Square to ring in the New Year. We're well stocked here with drinks, munchies, and of course, noisemakers. And if I actually do make it to midnight, I'll be on our front porch with a boombox playing this most awful recording of cats meowing (singing?) "Auld Lang Syne". I do this every year.

Be thankful that you do not live on my street!

Have a happy and blessed New Year!

Show And Tell

Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home is hosting Show and Tell Friday. If you would like to join the fun, please visit Kelli's blog and leave a link to your post.

I've been waiting for this time of year to show off my collection of vintage New Years Eve noisemakers. I'm always on the lookout for them whenever I visit my favorite flea markets and antique places. Usually they are pretty inexpensive and in good condition since they are only used once a year. I love all the different designs and colors.

Here's a little bit of my collection, There are horns, rattles, bells, and ones that spin. I'm not sure how old they are. I think most of them are from the '50's and '60's, but I think a couple of them may be from the '40's:



These three are my favorites:



Uh oh-looks like someone has started celebrating a bit too early-better hide that catnip!




Thank you for looking at my Show and Tell and thank you Kelli for hosting.

Well another Christmas has come and gone. We had a nice one. Spent Christmas Eve at my Dad's home and Christmas Day at ours. Did a little baking during the day on Christmas Eve. Made this gingerbread tree and some Italian anise cookies:



And also M&M cookies and some gingerbread men and trees:



Now I'm just trying to get caught up on things like laundry, cleaning, and other fun activities. Seems I get this "urge to purge" every year around this time and I just start tossing lots of stuff. I spent a good part of yesteday sorting through papers and clothing and I barely made a dent in the clutter. I really need to keep on top of it better. I guess it's time to pay Fly Lady a visit.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas week with family and friends.

Christmas Craziness

What a crazy week it's been! I've been working every day since Tuesday, running around trying to get that last minute shopping done, plus doctor's appointments and other fun stuff. Still have a little baking and wrapping to do. I just finished baking a batch of M&M cookies and I made some gingerbread dough. I'll bake and decorate the gingerbread men tomorrow, for I know if I make them tonight they will end up with mean little faces, complete with fangs.

Yes, once again I find myself trying to achieve that perfect Norman Rockwell kind of Christmas, but I find myself turning into Norman Bates. I should know better, for it's not the perfect Christmases I remember, but the funny, not-so perfect ones. Like how every year my Father would bring home the most sorry looking Christmas tree he could find, you know the kind with no branches in the middle or in the back. The kind of tree that makes Charlie Brown's look like the one in Rockefeller Center. My Mother would get so mad, but somehow she managed to turn those trees into works of art. Now that's a Christmas miracle!

Then I remember the first Christmas with Carlos in our home and we finally had enough space for a large tree. I had decorated it so beautifully with all these delicate glass ornaments and I was so proud of that tree. Then I came home from work on Christmas Eve to find my pretty tree face down on the living room floor with several of the ornaments broken. Seems my beloved Sheltie, who is now in doggie heaven, managed to get caught in it and caused it to topple over. (I know this because I found a large clump of his fur in the tree.) I laugh about it now, and Archie even has a special place on our tree, featuring his collars and some of the ornaments he broke:



Then there are the little things that make me smile, like that house I drive by every day with all the decorations. The guy looks like he's hosting a winter carnival on his front lawn-he even has a small ferris wheel! Well Friday afternoon, him and his wife were outside dressed like Mr. and Mrs. Claus and waving to everyone. And their children were dressed like Santa's reindeer, in furry brown suits and antlers, and they were on all fours, lined up on the front steps. I wish I had my camera with me.

And then there are moments like these, in your own home:



My sweet dog Raven, had a seizure today, right in front of the Christmas tree. She seems okay now, but she is going to see the vet later this week, so we'll see. She is twelve, but I hope it's nothing serious.

So enjoy your Christmas, hope its a wonderful one that you'll always cherish.

Show And Tell

Kelli at There is No Place Like Home is the hostess of Show And Tell Friday. If you would like to join the fun and check out other great show and tells, please visit Kelli's blog.

My show and tell this week is my Nativity. It once belonged to my Grandmother, then my Mother, and it was passed on to me when I moved into my own apartment. I'm not sure how old it is, but I know it's over 50 years old. It's a bit chipped and worn because many little hands (and paws) have played with it through the years. My Mother always displayed it beneath our Christmas tree along with our gifts. I also do the same for He is the most special gift anyone can receive.



And here is our tree. These lights twinkle, so the photo looks a little blurry. Notice that black silhouette in the bottom left near the center? Yes, that's our kitty-he is so fascinated with that tree!




Thank you for stopping by and looking at my Show and Tell, and thank you Kelli, for hosting.

My "Festive" Holiday Table...

I just want to let Diana at Sunshine On My Shoulders know that she is not the only one with a messy table. In fact, both my dining room and master bedroom have been declared major disaster areas! Can you believe that I actually wrote out my Christmas cards on this very table last night?

Now to answer her question-"Where do you eat?" Well tonight we dined on snack tables in the living room. Who knows-we just may be eating Christmas dinner alfresco (outdoors) if I don't clean this mess up soon!

Carlos insisted I put that empty wine bottle on the table when I told him why I was taking this picture, but all that other stuff, including Santa, was just as you see it. I hope we don't get any surprise visitors.

Only One More Week!!

Just finished scribbling writing our Christmas cards, hopefully they will all reach their destinations on time. Finally got the tree up and decorated, will take some photos before the kitty cat has his way with it.

Well I officially joined the 50 and over club yesterday-in other words, I had a colonoscopy. Yikes!!! Actually the procedure itself is nothing-but the preparation the day before-well I'll spare you the details. I think you know what I mean.

Still have a little shopping to do and some wrapping and baking. And cleaning!!! So it will probably be just a few quickie posts for the next few days. Hope you're all enjoying the season.

Christmas Meme

Saw this Christmas Meme on Diana's blog and it sounded like a lot of fun, so here's mine:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
It depends on the gift. Anything "boxy" gets wrapped. Large or odd-shaped gifts get bagged.

2. Real tree or artificial?
I love real trees, but I've been using an artificial tree for some time now, because the real ones dry out so quickly in our home. I usually hang some kind of pine wreath, so we can still have that real Christmas tree smell.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Our giant cat toy Christmas tree is going up this weekend. I will be housebound because we are expecting a nor'easter Saturday night and Sunday.

4. When do you take the tree down?
After January 6-Most people in my neighborhood celebrate the Epiphany.

5. Do you like eggnog?
I love it!! On Christmas morning, Carlos and I open our gifts to each other while having a cup of eggnog with a little Kahlua and some nutmeg sprinkled on top. (did I just hear someone say "Yuk!!"?)

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
A puppet theater, I think I was 9 or 10 years old. Our family kitty liked it too, for he often slept inside. He also starred in a few of our "productions".

7. Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, a very old one from Italy which once belonged to my Grandmother. It's chipped and worn, but I treasure it. I display it beneath our Christmas tree, just like my Grandmother and Mother once did.

8. Hardest person to buy for?
Carlos!!!!!

9. Easiest person to buy for?
My dog, Raven. (Hey, she's a fur-person!)

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
My high school sweetheart once gave me a sweater with two large circles in the front placed exactly you-know-where, along with a pair of spoon and fork earrings. Thank the Lord we broke up right before the following Christmas!

11. Mail or e-mail Christmas cards?
Snail mail.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
It's A Wonderful Life

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually in December, but sometimes I do a little before that.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
I have donated a few to charity.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
My family is Italian and on Christmas Eve we have the Feast of the Seven Fishes. There is plenty of shrimp, scallops, mussels marinara, calamari, linguine and clam sauce, flounder, and other seafood dishes. And of course, I love to eat all those yummy Christmas cookies.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
I've used colored ones for a long time, but this year I'm going to use clear ones that twinkle.

17. Favorite Christmas song?
O Come All Ye Faithful by anyone (even Twisted Sister!) I also love Christmas Canon by the Transiberian Orchestra.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
Christmas Eve I spend with family (it's maybe 10 miles from here). Christmas Day I usually spend at home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Dasher, Dancer, Comet and Blitzen. Donner, Cupid, Prancer, Vixen, and Rudolph.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Usually a star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
Christmas Eve I exchange gifts with my family. Christmas morning, Carlos and I open our gifts to each other.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year?
I really don't like those gigantic air blown Christmas decorations a lot of people have on their front lawns. Especially during the day when they are deflated. Does anyone else feel this way?

23. What I love most about Christmas?
The true Christmas spirit. It is such a magical time.

If you read this-you're tagged!! Let me know-I'd love to see your answers.

Meowy Christmas!

Ever try wrapping Christmas gifts with your kitty?



He probably thinks they're all for him!

Ever Hear Of This Tradition?

As long as I can remember, relatives on my mother's side of the family hung a Christmas card with a picture of the Three Wise Men above the front door. My Mom would usually send us one while she was alive, and sometimes my Dad still does. One year when I was feeling really ambitious, I cross-stitched Three Wise Men Christmas cards for my entire family. Boy, my fingertips and eyesight paid dearly for that! But everyone liked them, so it was worth it.

I spotted the above box of Three Wise Men cards while shopping at Barnes and Noble and thought I would send these this year instead of my usual kitty and puppy Christmas cards. I could almost hear Mom's voice telling me to buy them: "Don't you think it's time you sent a grown-up Christmas card instead of those cutesy ones? Aren't you like 51 now?"

Okay Mom, I heard you. I bought the cards.

But it also got me wondering-what is the meaning behind all this? Just why do people hang Three Wise Men Christmas cards above the front door? So I turned to that wealth of information, the internet, for answers.

First I read how in Europe, people write the initials of the Three Wise Men along with the year, in chalk blessed with holy water, on the main door to the house to bless their homes for the new year. Then I came across this interesting site, full of Irish folklore and traditions, which says it is done to bring health and harmony to one's home. But my mother was Italian, not Irish, so it still left me wondering. I guess I need to do a little more searching.

Has anyone else heard of this tradition? Perhaps there is a Three Wise Men Christmas card hanging above your front door, too.

Favorite Christmas Movies

I love to watch Christmas movies, but I do have a few favorites. One is A Christmas Carol, the REALLY old one made in 1938 with Reginald Owen. I remember the grammar school I attended would show this one every year right before Christmas. Usually the one shown on television is the the 1951 version with Alastair Sim, which I also like.

I also love It's A Wonderful Life, probably my all time favorite movie. My hubby doesn't share my love for these old movies (sniff), in fact he doesn't like to watch anything in black and white unless it features Moe, Larry, and Curly-nyuk nyuk!

And here's a newer one, made this century, that I absolutely love:



It's a sad but inspiring story about a young boy who wants to buy a special Christmas gift for his dying mother. And it's also the story of an attorney who's been focusing more on his job than his family. Fate brings these two together on Christmas Eve at a local department store and what happens next still makes me cry no matter how many times I watch this movie. Lifetime is showing The Christmas Shoes tomorrow (Dec 9) at 7pm est, if you're interested. And if you do plan on watching, keep a box of tissues nearby.

I also love A Charlie Brown Christmas. I guess that one's not really a movie, but it just doesn't feel like Christmas until I see it.

And I confess, I still try to catch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Maybe it's because I can really relate to that "Misfit" song.

What is your favorite Christmas movie or Christmas special?

I Need Some Christmas Spirit!

Santa with Angel

I'm really trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but it just doesn't seem to be happening yet. I've been listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, doing a little decorating and shopping, but I'm just not feeling that joy inside. I did get some disturbing news from my doctor a few days ago that I'm going to need some minor surgery soon. Seems I've been playing host to this large gall stone for some time and it really should come out before there are serious complications. I've been doing a lot of research on this the past few days and it's not really bothering me that much yet and my blood work is okay, so I guess Mr. Gall Stone will be spending the holidays with me. My real concern is that both Carlos and I may be losing our jobs soon (we work together) and if that happens, then I also lose my health coverage.

So I'm paranoid that I will eat or do something that might set this little time bomb off. I know I'm being silly; it's such a minor thing that's completely treatable and the news could have been much worse. I guess I should feel blessed that it wasn't something more serious.

Christmas Lights

Here's how our Christmas lights look so far. These are colored icicle lights, it's hard to see the colors in the photo. We still have a little bit more to do, like put some lights on the arborvitae bush (tree!) that's in front. It was snowing a little when I took these pictures. Looks like our garbage can managed to sneak into the photo in the bottom center.



Carlos is kind of obsessed with these lights and is constantly checking to see if any have gone out. What is it with these men and their Christmas lights?



This is the Nativity scene in the front window. I still have to put the angels up when I find some more of those suction cup hook thingies. If you look through the blinds, you can see the inside of our messy house.



Thank you for looking at our Christmas light photos.

My Benefactor

Someone where I work has been posting these Morning Reflections on our bulletin board for the past several years. It was a mystery as to whom was doing this, for their email address had been deleted or cut off at the bottom. These reflections would appear almost daily and no one knew where they were coming from.

Well, this past Friday it was quite a different story. Not only was the Morning Reflection in its usual place on the bulletin board, there were extra copies placed on every table in the cafeteria. I brought one home because it really spoke to me. And I now know who my "benefactor" is, for this time he left his name and email address at the bottom. It was quite a surprise, for I would never suspect that it was this particular person. Anyway, here is part of the Morning Reflection for that day:

Lamentations 3:22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Thought for today: Regardless of what happened yesterday, there is hope for tomorrow.

Reflection for the day: God is a God of hope

The company I work for has been bought out buy another and the deal officially went through yesterday. There are going to be some big changes ahead and my future with this company is uncertain, but I've been strangely at peace with this. Maybe it's God's way of telling me that He's with me and every thing's going to be okay.

And if you haven't already done so, please check out the Morning Reflection site. I plan to visit daily, maybe I'll "see" you there!

A Snowy Sunday...

Woke up to our first snowfall today. It was the "cute" December kind of snow-you know the type that covers the ground, but doesn't stick to the roads. The really fluffy stuff that you can just sweep aside with a broom.

Here's a photo of our little "casa". Those are our Christmas lights hanging from the gutters, not icicles. And if you look closely, you can see that there is still a painted Halloween pumpkin sitting on the porch-maybe I should put a Santa hat on it! Or if we get a little more snow, I can build a snowman and use it for the head!



Raven loves the snow, our kitty, Jeter, not so much. She seems to be wondering "Where did the cherry tomato plants go?"



And here's my Jeep, sporting a frosty mustache. The darn thing appears to be smiling and saying "Got snow?"



I've been feeling pretty lousy since Thanksgiving with a nasty head cold-sinus infection kind of thing. I still dragged my sorry self to work all last week and really ran myself down, and that's why I haven't been around lately. I did manage to get out to the mall this weekend and here are a few things I learned about Christmas shopping:

1. Keep away from the stores you love or you will end up buying YOURSELF a lot of Christmas presents, instead of gifts for your family and friends.

2. Visit Bath and Body Works AFTER Yankee Candle and not vice-versa! You don't want your hands to be slippery from all those yummy hand lotions that you sampled if you are going to be opening and sniffing housewarmer candle jars.

3. If you are shopping with your hubby or boyfriend and lose him, most likely he can be found in a department store near the large screen HD televisions.

4. When you are exiting a store and the security alarm goes off, don't think "it's not me." Chances are, it is YOU, because the cashier forgot to remove a security tag from one of your purchases. Unfortunately, you will not discover this until you are home (don't ask me how I know this.)

Looks like I will be making another trip to the mall very soon!

I've Been Tagged!!!

I've been tagged by both Karen and Diana for this meme. Here are the rules:

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs. Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

And here are my random facts:

1. I was born with an extra thumb on my right hand which my mother had the doctor remove when I was about three months old. My father, however, did not want it removed and was hoping that I would someday join the circus (thanks Dad!!)

2. I am left-handed.

3. I am the oldest of five children (I have three sisters and one brother). We all grew up in a cozy Cape Cod style home with one bathroom and one television and LOTS of pets! It was a little crowded and crazy at times, but I can never say that it was boring!

4. I love the Beatles and was so crazy about George that I attended three of his solo concerts in one week.

5. I love New York City, especially this time of year. I have spent my entire life living 30 miles or less from the Big Apple and it really is my favorite place in the world. There is so much to see and do there, you can spend an entire day just exploring one city block!

6. I am addicted to Heinz Ketchup and go through bottles of the stuff!

7. In college I studied art and nursing and have degrees in both, but I'm currently employed in an unrelated field. I do miss nursing and am hoping to re-enter the profession soon.

I'm not going to tag anyone since I've noticed that most of the blogs I visit have already been tagged. But I do hope anyone who sees this will play along, I find these kinds of posts are fun ways to get to know each other.

Here's a bonus random fact about me-I live in a crazy city! As I was writing this post, I heard some commotion outside and saw the police chasing some people through my neighbor's yard. Carlos is outside with his flashlight checking our yard and basement as I type this. There's never a dull moment around here!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just want to wish all the wonderful friends I met in blogland a Happy Thanksgiving. You will never know how much I am inspired and encouraged by your posts and comments. I am thankful for each and every one of you.

I just finished baking two pies which I will be bringing over the river and through the woods to my sister's home in the northwestern part of New Jersey tomorrow. I just have to throw together one of those famous green bean casseroles in the morning and I'm good to go.

Enjoy your day tomorrow and have a blessed Thanksgiving.

Giving Thanks

Today is the last day of Kelli's Giving Thanks posts. There's still a little time left, so if you have a Thanksgiving related post to share, please visit Kelli's blog for all the details.

Here is a recipe for pumpkin muffins which I clipped from my local newspaper about 20 years ago. The recipe is from the Publick House in Sturbridge, Mass. I'm thinking of making a batch tomorrow, for we may get a little bit of snow and that always gets me in the mood to bake something.

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup sugar
1/4 cup light vegetable oil
2 eggs
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously grease a 12 cup muffin tin. Mix sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and spices. Quickly stir together both mixtures. Fold in raisins and walnuts. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full and bake 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown.

Remove from oven and let muffins cool a few moments in the pan before removing. Serve warm with butter or honey butter.

Here's a couple of my Thanksgiving decorations:

A Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 75th Anniversary Snowglobe:


They have a different one every year, but so far this is the only one I have.

This turkey hangs on our front door (gotta love those craft fairs!):



Thank you for visiting my Giving Thanks post and thank you, Kelli for hosting.

Veteran's Day

A hand reaches out to touch a name on the Vietnam Wall

To honor everyone, everywhere, past and present, who served during wartime:


IN MEMORY OF DEPARTED COMRADES

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow;
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain;

I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,

I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry.

I am not there; I did not die in vain as
long as my sacrifice is not forgotten.

(Author Unknown)


My Dad served during the Korean War. His 75th birthday was a few days ago. Tonight my entire family will be celebrating with him.

Hope everyone has a blessed Veteran's Day

Show and Tell

It's Show and Tell Friday. If you have something you would like to share, please visit Kelli's blog and leave a link to your post.

I know I "show and telled" this Autumn Fire sedum in September, but I wanted to show you what it looks like now in its fall finery. The blooms have gradually darkened to a deep burgundy, eventually they will turn brown. The flash did go off when I took the picture, so the color looks a bit washed out.



Here's a close-up:


And this is how it looked in September:



Thank you for looking at my Show and Tell and thank you, Kelli for hosting.

Coffee Talk

Last night I tried something that I have never done before. I know you people are going to think that I have been living in a cave for the past ten years or so, but I had my first Starbucks coffee yesterday.

I've had several doctor's appointments and tests done in the past two weeks and last night I had one with a cardiologist. Something abnormal had shown up on my stress test, so I had to go for a follow up. It turned out to be nothing serious.

Anyway, my doctor's office is located in the same parking lot as our local shopping mall, so Carlos and I decided to take a little stroll inside. As we walked by Starbucks I said "You know, I never had a coffee from here." So Carlos offered to buy me one.

What a way to celebrate having a healthy heart-a jolt of caffeine!

We went inside and I scanned the menu which seemed to be written in Latin. Then I saw some words I was familiar with.

"I'll have a pumpkin spice coffee."

"Tall, Grande, or Venti?"

"Which one is the smallest?"

"That would be the Tall."

"Okay, I'll have that size." By now I was getting funny looks from the artsy fartsy twenty-somethings behind me on line.

"Do you want a latte?"

"Yes please." (I honestly had no idea what that meant-I figured I would go for the true Starbucks experience.)

She mixed together my "latte" and handed me the "tall" cup which was actually pretty short. Carlos handed her $3.75.

That is one pricey little cuppa Joe! It's a good thing I had already seen the cardiologist!

Anyway, it was a pretty good cup of coffee, but coffee always tastes better to me when it's made by someone else. Carlos made sure I drank every drop.

So I may visit Starbucks again in the near future, probably while doing my Christmas shopping. That usually puts me in a zombie-like trance and a caffeine buzz should zap me back to life. But first I must brush up on my latte lingo so I can order like the true coffee addict that I am. I might really splurge and get the Venti.

More of Him Monday

Diana at Sunshine On My Shoulders is the hostess of More of Him Monday. If you would like to share with us, please visit Diana's blog and leave a link to your post.

If I ever write my life story, it's going to be a cross between Marley and Me and Eat Pray Love. A dog guiding me along my spiritual journey? I know it sounds crazy, but lately our daily walks have taken an unexpected turn.

It used to be that during our walks, my mind was always elsewhere. I would walk Raven only because she wanted me to, and would annoy me until I finally got my butt off the couch and and put the leash around her neck. And once we were outside, all I could think about were all the things I had to do that evening or the next day. I wasn't enjoying these walks at all-I couldn't wait to return home.

I was too focused on the man-made world around me, mostly noticing the other houses and cars we passed along the way. Raven, on the other hand only seemed to see the "real world", the natural world, the one that God created. Maybe that's the reason she was enjoying these walks a whole lot more than I was.

So I decided to "see" the world through my dog's perspective and it really opened my eyes to all the beauty that surrounds me. No, I wasn't on all fours, but I just paid more attention to the natural part of the landscape. The subtle changes of the seasons, the songs of the different birds flying above, the sound of autumn leaves crunching under our feet, the colors of the sunset. And all this made me feel closer to God, for there was none of that man-made stuff clouding my vision.

It made me think of all the material things which hinder my relationship with Him.
And all that "mind clutter" piled inside my head which prevents me from hearing His quiet voice to guide me.

It is time for me to separate the wheat from the chaff and toss away what hinders my relationship with Him. A spiritual journey is a lifelong quest, with many twists and turns along the way. It's been a rough road for me at times and I really need to trust in Him more. And I know He wants nothing more than to guide me along that path, if only I will let Him. Maybe I'm the one who needs a leash.

Dad's Enchanted Cottage

"Houses are like living things. Alive with all the thoughts and memories of the people who lived in them. And those thoughts and memories go on living as long as the house stands."
From "The Enchanted Cottage"

You don't know how many times I replayed a certain scene in that movie to make sure I quoted Dorothy McGuire correctly. Our pricey cable company is featuring The Enchanted Cottage in their On Demand free movie section, so you can pause, rewind, or fast forward a program just like you would a dvd. This movie is full of wonderful quotes, but that particular one is my favorite. It really spoke to me.

It's a sweet story about a scarred war veteran and a plain young woman who marry and live in the "Enchanted Cottage". At first they believe their marriage is a farce, but once they realize they are truly in love with each other, they make a physical transformation. The man no longer has his battle scars and the wife becomes a beautiful young woman. But this transformation is only seen by them. Because they "see" each other with their hearts instead of their eyes. Others still see the plain girl and scarred veteran.

So what does all this have to do with my Dad's house? Well since my Mom passed away a little over six years ago, Dad has gradually been filling his empty home with all kinds of stuff. The last time I stopped by there, he was not at home so it gave me the opportunity to really check out his ever-growing collection.

Here's just a bit of what I saw:

A large empty doll house sitting on the floor in the upstairs bedroom, aka "the girls room". (At one time or another, all of my sisters and I had lived in this room)

A statue of a young girl picking her nose on top of the dining room table.

Lots of fishing and car stuff.

My Mother's high school graduation picture sitting atop her old dresser.
This was kind of strange to see, because she never had this picture displayed while she was alive. I think once she became a wife and mother, she no longer identified with it and put it away.

And boxes and boxes of other stuff which I was afraid to peek into.

To me almost all of it, except for Mom's picture, was just a lot of junk. And the rest of it just struck me as being kind of weird. Why was my Dad filling his home with all these strange things?

While watching "The Enchanted Cottage" it occurred to me. I began to "see" Dad's stuff through his eyes and heart. Perhaps having all this stuff around was his way of keeping all those thoughts and memories alive.

For that old picture of my Mom represented the pretty girl next door that he fell in love with and would later marry. Together they had bought this house and turned it into a home. They raised five children here.

And I noticed most of the fishing and car stuff was in my brother's old bedroom which is now the TV room. A kind of tribute to all the father-son moments spent enjoying these pastimes.

As for that dollhouse in the upstairs girls room, I believe it represents how Dad's four little girls made their own "transformations" into young women and went on to make homes of their own. For it was in this very room where we dressed as brides and bridesmaids for each other's weddings, and if I'm not mistaken, some of those gowns may still be lurking in the back of that closet.

And as much as I hate to admit it, I'm afraid that nose-picking little girl statue reminded Dad of me.

"Houses are like living things. Alive with all the thoughts and memories of the people who lived in them. And those thoughts and memories go on living as long as the house stands."

Thank you Dad, for keeping all those thoughts and memories alive.

Christmas in November???

Today along the east coast we are bracing for the remnants of hurricane Noel. High winds, rain, and high tides are expected for part of today. Guess where my wacky hubby is? Down by the waterfront fishing!!!

I've chosen to stay home and do laundry in case we lose power later. And it is kind of nasty looking out there. Anyway, I'm also "test driving" the new medication my doctor has prescribed for me. I'm reading the warning labels on the side and they say things like "May cause dizziness, do not operate heavy machinery".

Does a washer and dryer qualify as "heavy machinery"?

Also don't forget to turn back the clocks tonight. I wish there was a way to "re-program" my dog and kitty as well, for I know they will be waking us up super early in the morning.

Anyway, enjoy your extra hour tomorrow and have a great weekend!

Show And Tell

Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home is the hostess of Show And Tell Friday. If you would like to join the fun, please visit Kelli's blog and leave a link to your post.

I am a bit late for Show and Tell this week and wouldn't you know it-I decided to show some of my clocks. We are "falling back" this weekend so I thought I would show a little bit of my collection.

This chef clock hangs in my kitchen. I like kitschy kitchen things, especially clocks.



This teapot clock also hangs in my kitchen:



And this carved wooden clock hangs in the dining room:



I also have several more and let's just say I will be busy on Sunday turning all these clocks back! The kitty clock on my blog has changed by itself already so that's one less to worry about!

(It's kind of strange how I love to collect clocks and I'm rarely on time for anything!)

Thank you for looking at my Show And Tell and thank you Kelli for hosting.

Happy Halloween

Just hanging out here handing out candy. Love looking at all the cute costumes. Some little boy dressed as a fireman just told me "Have a happy Valentine's Day!"

Please kids-come and get this candy before I eat it!!!

Hope everyone is having a fun Halloween!

A Spooky Story

Here's a little ghostly tale about a place where I once lived....

I guess I was in my early 20's and my friend Marilyn and I were looking for an apartment to share. She really had her heart set on living in this one older complex that her sister had once rented an apartment in, and put us on the waiting list. I really wasn't exactly in love with the place; I think it had been built in the 1920's or earlier and it looked like something straight out of West Side Story. You know, those ancient brick buildings with the metal fire escapes outside. But it was in a really nice area and we were thrilled when we got the call from the landlord telling us there was a two bedroom available.

The rent was also surprisingly cheap for that neighborhood. And soon we would find out why.

Seems this apartment came with an extra roommate. And I use the word "she" because often there would be the heavy scent of some kind of old fashioned perfume drifting around the apartment. When we had friends over, "she" would briefly pay a visit to everyone in the room and they would catch a whiff of the perfume and ask us "What is THAT? And Marilyn and I would just laugh and say "That's our other roommate".

"She" seemed particularly fond of our gentlemen callers, but some of them were not really too fond of her. Some never called again after they "met" her. In fact one pointed out to me this strange looking symbol that had been nailed to our apartment door long ago. He told me it meant the apartment had once been blessed by a Rabbi and that someone had probably died in there.

Once "she" borrowed a pair of my earrings. I had them in my hand and they fell out and disappeared into the carpet. I combed the area with my fingers and they were nowhere to be found. However, they turned up a few months later in that exact spot. Those earrings had belonged to my late grandmother, so I'm thinking that maybe "she" was also of that era and wanted to wear them to a ghostly costume party.

Anyway, "she" really wasn't that much of a bother. Often the channels on our television would change by themselves and there was that strong perfume smell, but other than that "she" was pretty harmless. Until one night I came home and noticed that all the burners on our stove were lit. Perhaps "she" was expecting company and preparing a ghostly feast for them. That did scare me a bit and I told her so, and it didn't happen again.

I did move out shortly afterwards, mostly because Marilyn and I weren't getting along too well anymore. It was kind of a Felix and Oscar type situation. Guess which one I was.

Marilyn still lives in that apartment with her two children. She loves that place and I seriously doubt if she'll ever leave. In fact when the time comes, she will probably haunt it as well. And it is a two bedroom, so there's enough room. However, I think Marilyn's favorite Shalimar perfume will clash with "hers". They're going to have to work that one out.

More Of Him Monday

Diana at Sunshine On My Shoulders is the hostess of More Of Him Monday. Please visit Diana's blog to read hers and other's encouraging posts.

This is mostly about my hubby, Carlos and something he did last week. He and his buddies are avid fishermen and spend much of their free time at the nearby waterfront. He really doesn't bring much fish home, but he does bring home a lot of stories and one of them really warmed my heart.

Seems he was approached by a couple of women who asked him if he had any extra fish he could give them because their husbands had not been paid that week and they had no money to buy food to feed their families. So Carlos gave them all the fish he had caught and spread the word to all the other people who were there fishing. Well soon these women had plenty of fish to take home thanks to the generosity of all the fishermen. The next day, these women returned to tell everyone how thankful their families were for the fish and all the meals it would be providing for them.

The kindness of strangers really made a difference in the lives of these women and their families.
I'm proud of Carlos, for he could have easily told those women "no".
But instead he chose to listen to His voice and help someone less fortunate.