Our Twitter will be missed....

I received some more bad news this week. My Friends kitty passed away in his sleep. Hamlet was his given name but he also answered to Twitters and a few other nicknames. I know Raine and Christopher are devastated by his sudden loss. Twit was a kitty like no other. He was an original. When he loved you, he loved you with all his heart. Don't let his size fool you. He was thin, with long skinny legs but he had one LARGE heart, golden to boot. I went with Raine to pick Hamlet "Twitters" up in Boston. His owner had passed away and Raine and Chris were doing a favor for one of their friends. They were going to keep him for a little while. That "little while" became forever. He became part of their family.
Twitters was a good friend. when his pal Tooches was feeling stiff from old age, Twitters cleaned his fur for him, in all the places he couldn't reach. They were great buddies. I bet when Twitters passed into the Pearly gates, Tooches was the first face he saw. I'm sure they are hanging out, feasting on bits of dried fish...otherwise known as Kitty Crack.
Knowing Twitters, he's sprinkling some Cinnamon on his dried fish. That kitty loved anything with Cinnamon on it. He's telling Tooches that he took great care of Raine and Chris after he left and how much they all missed him, their pal the great grey bear.

Twitters was my napping pal. I'd occasionally kitty sit while Raine and Chris were out of town. I'd curl up on the sofa with a book and I'd end up with Twitters perched on my lap. I'd read until the warmth of his little body and his steady breathing would lull me into joint slumber. I can honestly say, the best naps I ever took were with Twitters snuggled up to me.
Sometimes, you would want to get up, but the sight of him, so relaxed, so at peace with the world, well....who would want to disturb that?! So you would lay there, under his spell until he stretched, yawned and decided it was time for a quick nibble or his apartment patrol. He kept a good watch over everyone and everything.

The last time I saw him was in November. I spent the night in his home. I fell asleep on my side on the sofa. Twitters was perched on my hip, paws tucked carefully under him. He wasn't afraid of me moving and knocking him off. In the end, the other kitties were raising hell, jumping all over the sofa, walking all over me, making a racket, so I chased them all out of the room and closed the door. It was dark and I couldn't see. I thought they were all out but I shut the door on poor Twitters tail. He let out a kitty yelp. I felt so bad. I never got to find out if he forgave me for hurting his poor little tail. It was the last time I would see him.

He is greatly missed and will never be forgotten.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

OK, OK, so I know its taken me a lot longer to post than it should have. What can I say....

No seriously, what can I say! See, that was my big issue. Of course I have tons of things that I could share with everyone...but I just didn't feel up to it.

It all started with my Christmas vacation. I ended up sicker than a dog, puking with great force, running a yo-yo fever, aches everywhere. Yeah, good times.

Sigh.....

I feel like I need another vacation.

Sigh....

Anyway, I will try to get back into posting on my good old blog. I'm thinking about changing my template too. I need some good old fashion change in my life. Now seems like a good time to start, don't you think.

So, I will be back with a few Rue Rue pics....a few creative projects that I have been working on...and sooner or later I will be up to my normal mischief. So look out.

Lookie...I got goodies....

Friday afternoon, I discovered a package on my doorstep. I brought it in but was so busy running around I didn't have time to open it until late. Then my camera battery was dead....soooo, this is late being posted. Darlene sent this lovely basket full of yummies to me. I'm ripping into that sucker as soon as possible. Everytime I look at it I start to drool. Thank you Darlene, my taste buds thank you, my tummy thanks you and my chubby "problem areas" curse you, but they will get over it. lol. You are to kind! I'm still trying to decide if I should share the goodies with anyone, you know in the spirit of Christmas and all that jazz. Hmmmm...I think not. lol.

I'm full of useless info.....

I found this on Kare's site. Half the time I totally didn't know what they were talking about when they used funky computer terms. I do like to read though...now if I could only spell. lol, and you know I'm not kidding.

I worked out all the kinks as a nanny....sooooo

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need.You can tell when it's time to let kids off the hook, and when it's time to lay down the law.While your parenting is modern and hip, it's not over the top.You know that there's nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager... or a drill sergeant!

Calling all Christmas cards....

If you are just going to chuck your Christmas cards after the holidays are over....maybe you would like to pass them on to me. I'm saving them for a project. I need a crap load of the pictures. If you want you can tear off the covers and send them to me.

No rush to decide. Think it over. If you need my mailing address, just email me.

You'd be doing a good deed by recycling them instead of sticking them in the trash.

Come on...you know you wanna.

I think someone's PaPa spoiles her rotten.

 

As well he should...its his job. That and teaching her to do things that she should be doing. Like standing up on her hippo when PaPa pushes her around, for example.

I've been busy..

...Making a huge mess. It's Christmas Ornament time again. Normally I'm under no pressure because I have my ornaments done years in advance. This year I am behind. I now know what if feels like to be my friends in the annual Ornie Exchange. Every year, at least one of them is putting the finishing touches on their orines the night before our get together. Once in a while, we get a cheater who tries to pass off an ornie they purchased as their creation. They usually fess up right away. We did make the rule that you get a one year pass on a purchased ornament. I have yet to use my "get out of jail" card and I probably never will. I will admit the thought had passed my mind a few times this fall. I'm not giving in, I'm working my butt off. I have four ornaments going right now. Yes, FOUR at once. Why? Well, because I can't focus on just one at a time. I have not been feeling inspired and as a result have been getting bored so I have to switch back and forth for a while. Plus, its not like I only make a half dozen ornies. Nope, I make a LOT more than that.
Anyway, I have been pulling out all my craft stuff that could be used for Christmas ornaments. I have several ideas for following years. If anyone has any good patterns or directions/tutorials, by all means, pass them my way. My craft area looks like a tornado hit it. I have bits of thread everywhere. Glitter stuck to everything...Yep, its a mess down here. I think Sam is getting tired of hearing my sewing machine running while he is watching TV and messing around on the computer. Every once in a while, I give him a break and pursue quiet endeavors, like painting and cutting, and gluing. I have a lot of hand sewing to do now. Grrr, I don't want to think about it. I just feel like making Christmas cookies. Anyway, now you know where I have been and why I have not been blogging.

Grrrr...WHERE DID THE PICS GO!

For some reason, all but one of my pictures from the parade are not showing up. Annoying. I have tried to get them to post but they are not playig along with me.

Maybe I will try again later.

Guess What I did on Thanksgiving....

You may have watched it on TV...but I was there with Emily. Raine and Chris were about a half a block away from us...but they couldn't make it through the crowded sidewalk. We chatted via cell phone a few times but I it was so loud and I was having a hard time hearing them.

Yes, Virginia, I went to the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in NYCThe weather was warm. For any one that attended the parade for the first time...they did NOT get a true parade experience. Nope. You have to have frigid cold, strong winds, and a little rain or drizzle to truly know what its like to attend the parade. It was like being in Florida this year...sigh.

This is in honor of my cousin Mike...who strangely enough, reminds me of Shrek sometimes. Minus the green skin, of course. Then my favorite dancing group was the fancy Christmas tree people. I so want to wear one of those outfits for Halloween.

The Parade always ends with Santa...and this year he waved right at me... He did a shout out to me because he knows my blogger bud, Darlene. She gives him pole dances so she can score the good gifts. She really puts a twinkle in his eyes too.

There were a ton of stars and performers. Click on the picture above to make it larger for viewing. You will see... Willard Scott, Dolly Parton, Wyonna Judd, Ashley Tisdale, Bindi Irwin and her Mom, Corbin Bleu, The Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks of American Idol Fame...,Lifehouse, Menudo, Michael Feinstein, Kay Hanley, Anika Noni Rose, Ne-Yo, Nikki Blonsky from Hairspray, Miss USA, Sarah Brightman, The cast of Sesame Street and many more. I know I'm forgetting people,

We stood across the street from what's his face, Joey Fatone from that boy band...you know the one, so don't make me say it. Ok, OK, fine, 'Nsync. Now he hosts the Singing Bee and was even in the Broadway musical Rent a while back. He walked right past us and then crossed over to the "Ticket only" seating area. Emily was excited because it was the first celeb she had ever laid eyes on.
This was my favorite balloon. Her name is Abby Cadabby and she's by the Sesame Workshop. I loved her even though her magic wand was broken. she had little fairy wings and piggy tails...what's not to love about her.

The balloons came and they went. We even saw a little clown tail...It' kind of looks like he's falling. He had a nice "trip", we will see him in the " fall."


Then last but not least, was the band Good Charlotte. When I showed my Cousins daughter this picture, she got very excited. I won't tell you what Cindy said about Danielle's reaction because it might embarrass her.

It makes me hungry just thinking about it...

I hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving. I'll be heading into the city tonight. I have to go to the Macy's parade with Emily...I promised. I keep telling her that if it is raining, I'm not going, but I'm not sure she really believes me. I refuse to stand in the rain again...no way, no how. Don't worry, I will take pictures.

Enjoy the good food...don't eat to much or you will just want to nap the rest of the day. I have dibs on the last piece of pecan pie.

Footloose...the musical

This year, Sam decided not to be in his high school musical. Instead he was an assistant conductor for the Pit orchestra. He is the first student at his high school to ever conduct part of a performance. Not bad for a Junior. When he wasn't conducting, he was playing keyboard in the Pit. Sam really is very gifted. He's extremely talented on a whole. I always wished I had a smattering of musical talent to play with but I'm one of those people who gets to appreciate music and has given up on butchering it. I'm sure everyone thanks me for giving up...believe me, they must!

Anyway, during certain scenes, Sam conducted (That's him above with the cast singing and dancing in the opening scene) and he did a wonderful job. I actually think he did a better job than the head conductor, but what do I know...I'm also bias. .

Tip for today: Find your inner child and release it.

Don't Cry Cousin Cindy!

Once upon a time, long, long ago, in a state somewhere in the center of a great nation, lived a little girl who was very unhappy. It wasn't because she was turning 40....nope, because she turned the big FORTY today.

Hopefully she won't be crying. After all, she doesn't look 40. Who knows, maybe I won't be able to say that after her big birthday party this Saturday. You know, when you tie one on like she's going to do ...well, it takes a few years off.

I wish I could be there to help you Celebrate, Cindy! If only to make you stress out the whole time. Yes, I would have planned a big prank for you, but that is hard to do via long distance. Sometimes you can't rely on other people to do your dirty work for you. Boy, oh boy, you sure got lucky, didn't you!

What my Cousins Daughter talks about when her Mom is gone....

Nett: Danielle Louise, what are you up to tonight?
Dani: Making a video
Nett: of what
Dani: Moi
Nett: I hope its not porn
Dani: Ohhh well
Nett: lol....what do you mean, "Ohhh well"
Nett: Do you want to give your Mother a stroke on her birthday
Dani: Haha, no
Nett: Then lay off the homemade porn
Nett: there's no real money in it anyway
Nett: you need backers
Nett: and light grips, sound guys
Nett: the whole nine yards
Nett: lol
Dani: I wanna be the next Jenna Jamesen. I would be Briget the Miget but Im not short
Nett: Oh dear GOD, what next, you will want to work at the Moonlight Bunny Ranch?!
Dani: Shhhhh! No One Knows yet
Nett: You kinky little devil, you!
Dani: HAHAHA
Nett: I always knew that sweet, innocent thing you had going was part of your act
Dani: Yeah, what can I say?
Nett: Dirty girl!
Dani: Psssh, Heck yeah!
Nett: I'm getting you a riding crop for Christmas
Nett: maybe handcuffs
Nett: THAT is why you wanted those fishnet stockings!
Nett: OMG, I unwittingly fed your porn addiction
Nett: your Mom will kill me
Dani: What can I say, I like to get freaky. And I mean freaaaaky
Nett: You know, Uncle Lonnie warned you about whipped cream
Nett: he said it could get you in trouble
Nett: you didn't listen either
Dani: I blame him
Nett: lol...SO DO I
Dani: HAHAHA
Nett: When in doubt, blame men
Nett: works everytime
Dani: Pssh, oh yeah
Nett: OK, that was fun. Is your Mother home?
Dani: Yeah, but shes sleeping
Nett: Dang it, she's getting old.... asleep before midnight
Nett: sheesh
Nett: she must be 40 already
Dani: Haha, I concure
Dani: ALMOST
Nett: lol....covering your ass with the "ALMOST" I see
Nett: I have taught you well young porn star
Nett: That was a play on the line from Star Wars
Nett: Ask your Mother when she wakes from her old lady beauty sleep, if she is making a Christmas ornament this year to exchange.
Dani: Haha, alrighty
Nett: If so, I have to add her to my list. NO CHEATING AND BUYING STUFF EITHER
Nett: I caught on to her evil trick
Dani: LOLOL yeah, it was funny though
Nett: It had dust on it!
Nett: Like I wouldn't notice
Nett: plus if she denied it, I was going to force her to prove she could paint that well
Dani: I would PAY to see that
Nett: lol, yeah, it would be fun
Nett: OK, I'm off to bed. Enjoy your filming...don't forget the money shots...guys like those
Nett: Hey before I forget, what is your Porn star name?
Dani: Candy Lane
Nett: use your first pets name and the street you lived on first
Dani: Missy Maine?
Nett: LOL
Nett: I like that
Dani: Hahaha
Nett: That is how I am going to refer to you from now on
Nett: Goodnight Missy....
Dani: Oh god
Nett: LOL
Dani: Haha good night
Nett: Well, you had to see that coming
Dani: Pretty much
Dani: lol
Nett: lol..night

The email I got from Raine...

Subject line: Do you know who the sexiest man alive is?


Text: If not, go to People.com! :)

What Raine wrote: Yes, true validation, my boyfriend is HOT.


For those of you not in the "know." Raine's husband knows who her boyfriend is....and for a reminder, here is a link to an old post that might explain more.

It's Chrismtas Ornie making time!

 

I went throught my craft stash and sorted out all the things that I thought I might be able to utilize for my annual Christmas Ornament Exchange. I swear I musthave ornaments in the attic that I made last year, but I can't findthem, so I'm making more. I'll be ahead of the game if I find the ones I made. Anyway, I have lots of options and tons of different ideas. I just have to get on the ball. I even had Marino, our contractor cutting pieces of wood for me with his chop saw for one of my ideas. He about fell over when he found out how many I make each year. Anyway, I'm still looking for ideas for following years. If you find any neat homemade ornament pictures or better yet, actual directions for ornaments...SEND THEM MY WAY!

How I have been spending my weekends...

 

The raised garden beds are well under way and will hopefully be complete by this weekend. We have one completed box to put in the ground and level out, then two larger boxes to build and set in the ground. After that the boxes have to be filled up with the dirt that Jim removed from his old raised garden bed and put in a large rubbish container for storage until its placed back into the new cedar beds. The pebbles will not be in place on the walk ways until the spring because Jim has to put down gardening cloth, then an inch of sand topped off with 3 inches of pebbles. The job won't be completely finished until the arbors are built. It should look pretty nice by next summer.

Market Research made me $7 richer.

I was at the Mall with Emily today and we were approached by a lady wanting to know if we would answer a few questions for product research. I asked her how long it would take and she said about ten minutes. I said, I don't think so and the lady said that they paid between $2-$5.00 depending on the product and the survey. I was getting ready to say "No, thank you." when Emily said, "Sure we'll do it." I was nice and went along with it. We had to go into this office and they asked our age. Then they separated us and they had me do a survey for Hellman's Mayonnaise. It was easy, I picked out which bottle I was drawn to on a picture of grocery shelves stocked with Hellman's in different bottles. Then I had to answer a bunch of questions about a certain bottle and label design. After that I had to go into a dark room and sit in a chair while they vision mapped me. First they ask you to look at certain numbers on the screen then they put up different pictures and ask you to look at it before going to a different picture. After that, I was given $5.00 and sent back into the main room. Then I was asked to watch a few movie previews and then answer the questions after the preview. I got stuck watching the preview for the new Rambo movie. Yuck....enough said, but I got $2.00 for doing that. Not bad $7.00 for answering some silly questions.

When I was done, I found Emily in the hall, she was promptly annoyed because she only made $2.oo...lol, and it was her idea to do this in the first place. I thought it was pretty funny because if she hadn't been with me, I would have totally told that lady no.
Yep, $7.00 smackaroos that I proptly spent on craft supplies, ahhhh, life is good!

I think this house has gremlins

Somewhere around this basement is a Rolodex containing all of my addresses. I have no idea where it is. It was here last Friday evening, I used it. Now I have no idea where I put it for safe keeping. It's not where I usually stash it.

If I didn't have the flu and be cranky as it is, I would probably be pretty pissed off right now, but I'm not. Nope, I'm mildly annoyed but I'm not pissed. I'll be pissed in a week if it still hasn't surfaced. I have my Christmas cards and I'll want them done by Thanksgiving so I can mail them out the following week. Which reminds me, if you want a Christmas card...and I don't already have your address, let me know, so I can add you to my list. I do love getting Christmas cards. Oh stop! It's never to early to talk about Christmas.

UPDATE: I totally found my Rolodex. It wasn't in a place I would put it so I think someone got confused and moved it thinking it was theirs. Oy Friggin Vey already! I started addressing my envelopes...giggle...I'll be done by Thanksgiving and they will be in the mail shortly after that. Now if I could just get my rear in gear with my ornies....sigh.

Leaf garland....ah, Fall!!

I was at the Leach house on Sunday, helping Jim with the garden beds again. I swear that the raised beds will not be done until after Thanksgiving. It's going slow. I should ask him if he needs my help this weekend....anyway, while I was at their house, I noticed the lovely leaves in the front yard. We don't have pretty fall trees at our house, at least not yet. Jean said she thinks the front leaves turned early because she hadn't watered those trees very much and that happens when you have young trees. Anyway I took a huge garbage bag of them home with me. I sat on the floor the other afternoon with the leaves, a roll of floral wire and some twine. I ended up with a very pretty swag of leaves. I like it, it was easy and it brings a little of that fall beauty into the warm house. I would love to make one to go around the whole front door of the house but its a double door, so it would take a while. Maybe next year, now that I have it down to a science. I have Christmas ornies to make for this year. I need to get a move on.

There is WINNER

There really is! It's just that I have no idea who the winners are. Raine went me an email with entries but no names. I had to pick my top three entries. It was hard but I did. She had already tallied up the points for correct answers and creativity. Let me just say, some of your answers were so funny, I loved them.

Anyway, Raine will let you know if you won. She'll need your address. Since she won't tell me who the winner is, just drop me an email letting me know. You could wait and torture me by posting a picture of your winnings on your site, but why would you want to do a thing like that!

Congratulations to the winners and thanks for playing to everyone who entered.

It's a Sax, no, a Tuba, no wait! It's PIANO MAN!

Yes, he is Piano man, he will lull even the wildest criminal mastermind with the tickling of the ivories.

Alter Ego: Netter, his faithful nanny, who sews his cape and piano band wrist guards when time is short and the need is great. AKA, the afternoon before he needed it. Netter is rumored to have the word "SUCKER" printed across her forehead.

His Hometown: Baldwin

Affiliations: BHS, Jazz Choir, Band, Orchestra, Tennis Team, dabbles in student body politics and Theatre

Notable Enemies:Humidity Man, Out of Key Dude, and Talk Radio

Theme Song: By Billy Joel...I think you know the one. Hey every Super Hero needs a theme song.

Aliases: Sam...your all American High School student.

Abilities: Super human hand speed, fast foot petal action, rapid eye movement for advanced site reading, perfect pitch, high intelligence. His Super Cape and amazing Arm Bands contain piano keyboards, while his hat amplifies the music that he manipulates to keep peace in the land.

HURRY! ENTER THE NETTER CONTEST!!

And I just wanted to stress: YOU DON'T NECCESSARILY HAVE TO GET THE ANSWERS RIGHT, for the Netter contest there are points for the most creative as well!

Please enter...the prize is pretty cool if do say so myself.

Hit the hyper link above to go directly to the contest.

"Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things it will come and sit softly on your shoulder." ~Thoreau.