Just a few goals for 2013

Lost in translation?

So, now that the world didn't end on the 21st, (complete shocker, I know), that means I should come up with those pesky New Year's Resolutions. Well, since most people fail miserably at most of their resolutions I don't think I will actually make resolutions. Instead I will have goals. Goals that aren't unattainable. So here are a few goals I would like to meet in 2013:

1. See my friends more often.

2. Meet new people.

3. I'd like to hike the Whiskeytown Falls - I think there are a few of them.

4. Take a Zumba class.

5. Find something local to volunteer for.

6. Take a little trip to some place I haven't been before.

7. If possible, buy stuff that's made in the USA.

8. Join a book club.

A simple list of goals. Yet, if I meet them, it will get me out of the house, see my friends, meet new people and have fun.

100 Things That Make Me Happy: Part 20

First, I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

I've been compiling a list of things that make me happy - all freaking year long. This was all inspired by my blogging friend Charlotte. However, I managed to make mine last a whole year, whereas she did hers much quicker, like in two months. lol

Anyway, sometimes I would sit for what felt like hours trying to think of things, other times I would write two or three posts at once. However, these are the last 5 things on this list. If you'd like to read previous posts in this series, please click here.

And in no particular order, I continue!

#96. Knowing there's money in my bank account. Trust me, not much is there, but having a steady paycheck brings money into my piddly little account, and that is always a happy feeling. Twice a month.

#97. Getting things off my chest. Whether it's ranting about something that aggravates me or having a good ol' fashioned cry out, I feel better when done.

#98. Miss Posey is perfectly healthy and sitting around 5lbs right now. All that's left for her is to get spayed. If you're new here and haven't heard of Miss Posey, she's a kitten that my mom rescued this fall, and trust me when I saw she was on death's doorstep when my mom took her in. She was rushed to the vet's at least two or three times. Her and Miss Libby play all the time now, chasing each other around the house.

Posey when she first came home.

Posey after just a few weeks getting to know her big sister, Libby.

Posey at roughly 5-6 months old and perfectly healthy. Also, a total spaz.

#99. Watching The Princess Bride because it's just an awesome movie. I read the book awhile back and adored it. The movie is a bit over the top, and a little bit cooky, but wallowing in awesomeness. Any doubters? Inconceivable!

#100. Putting together a gingerbread house with my mom last weekend. She's always wanted to do it, but was working and then I was away from home for 10 years. So we bought a kit at Michaels and put it together. It will probably be the only time we do it.

100 Things That Make Me Happy: Part 19

I'm compiling a list of things that make me happy. To catch up on previous posts, please click here. And in no particular order, I continue!

#91. The Geico commercial with the slinky. I don't know why, but it always tickles my funny bone.

#92. Watching "Love It or List It". It has become very apparent to me that my life is so freaking easy compared to what those homeowners do to the designer and realtor on that show. I'm normal. And that's saying something. lol (with that being said, I realize it's "scripted" reality tv)

#93. Opening the door of the 5th wheel thinking its raining, only to find out its snowing! And when I walked out to my car, I found that it was covered in snow. To make it more perfect, "White Christmas" was playing on the radio.

#94. Knowing my family is safe and healthy. Earlier this month, I found out that two family members were in a horrific car accident, both winding up with fractured necks; one with a broken wrist and arm, and fractured sternum; the other with a broken foot and needing a plate put in their neck. They are both doing well and home recovering.  And today I found out about another family member who was member was admitted to a hospital last night with blood cots in their lungs. They are doing well at the moment, but not out of the woods - their Christmas will be spent in a hospital, and that's just not cool. I just want them home safe and healthy.

#95. All the kind things that people are doing in the wake of the tragedy at the Sandy Hook school in Connecticut. A local youngster did a Teddy Bear Drive (which Mom donated two, I believe), and an organization is paying her way to deliver the teddy bears in person to the childred affected by the tragedy. Very heartwarming and inspiring.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. How will you spend 'the night before Christmas'?

Christmas Eve is always a big day in my family. My dad's family celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve - my mom's family always does it on Christmas Day. Christmas Eve usually starts fairly early with preparations. Making sure the house is cleaned for the family that will usually start arriving around 1 or 2pm. Getting food prepped for cooking for Christmas Eve dinner. Getting showers, getting dressed, and all spruced up. When the family gets together, we visit and snack until dinner is ready. This year, we're cooking up some ribs with all the fixin's. We have dinner and dessert, get everything cleaned up in the kitchen and then it's time for presents! I usually play "Santa", handing out the presents to everyone. We then each take turns opening one present at a time. We go round and round until all the presents are open. Then we clean up the wrapping mess, and visit a little more. Then for those that don't stay the night, we pack up their car and send them home. And then we head to bed, and wake up to find that Santa visited yet again!

2.  What is one thing you are not?

Perfect.

3.  Fudge-are you a fan?  Your favorite flavor?

I like fudge. Not a ton of it at a time, but I do like fudge. Oh and chocolate. Duh.

4. Did you attend any craft/vendor fairs in the month of December?  Do you prefer homemade goodies or the more professional stalls? Are you giving any homemade gifts this year?

I did not attend any craft/vendor fairs this year. I like homemade gifts, but I also like stuff from a store. Especially if I asked for it. lol I am not giving any homemade gifts this year.

5. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering? 

Any where my family gets to gather and visit.

6.  We're approaching a new year...what's going to be different in 2013? 

Hopefully I will be out of the 5th wheel.  :o)

7. Share a favorite scripture, quote, saying, or song lyric relating to peace.

I don't know if this song really qualifies, but  I like it.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I really can't believe Christmas is nearly here!
 

100 Things That Make me Happy: Part 18

I'm compiling a list of things that make me happy. To catch up on previous posts, please click here. And in no particular order, I continue!

#86. Realizing afterwards that you were really lucky to have seen a band in concert. My BFF and I went to see The Killers last Saturday in the Bay Area. It was so much FUN!! The crowd sang along and danced to the music. My BFF found out the other day that just a couple days after our concert, the lead singer came down with laryngitis. 

 The first song was just the band with no light show. It was awesome.

#87. A decorated Christmas tree.

My mom wanted a flocked tree for the first time in 20 years.

 #88. My teddy bear, Teddy. He was given to my mom when she found out she was pregnant with me, by a couple who were regulars at the restaurant she waitressed at. 

#89. Breaking 100 when bowling. It's a very rare moment indeed when it happens, but, it has happened. At least once. I'm pretty sure.

  

#90. Swinging. It's always fun!

If the Twinkie were still here, it would be ashamed

I came across this article on Yahoo! about a week or so ago (and am finally getting around to remembering to post this) that just plain outraged me. We have all heard about Hostess closing its doors for good - meaning the Twinkie will not survive the end of the world because it quite simply won't be there for it. Unless it survives in someone's pantry. Out of the reach of children. (And for the record, I don't believe the world will end on 12/21/12, but it's been a fun joke. Thanks Mayans.)

"A federal bankruptcy judge has approved bonuses for executives of Hostess, the maker of Twinkies, who stay on as the company is broken up and sold off."

What on earth was this judge thinking? Those executives made WAY more than enough money - they don't need any stinking bonuses. Those bonuses should be given to the 18,000 workers they've put out into the cold.

 "On Thursday, as part of a plan to liquidate the company and lay off 18,000 workers, a federal judge in White Plains, N.Y., approved paying 19 Hostess executives bonuses totaling $1.8 million. Hostess has said it has interest from at least 110 firms who want to buy pieces of the operation."

A company who has gone bankrupt is giving out over 1 million dollars in bonuses. To the same people who wanted to slash worker pay and benefits - and not for the first time, either. I'm failing (miserably) to see the logic in that. I'm also failing to see how that's right.

I think the only other thing that will survive is the cockroach.

"The decision comes as the company, known for its iconic snack cakes like Ho Hos and Ding Dongs, says it doesn't have enough cash on hand to pay retirement benefits to some former employees.

The bonuses do not include pay for CEO Gregory Rayburn, who was brought on as a restructuring expert earlier this year, according to The Associated Press. Rayburn is being paid $125,000 a month.

Former employees are outraged over the bonuses handed out to high ups."

Why? Oh, it's to keep them happy while the company is sold off bit by bit. Wouldn't want executives of a bankrupt company to go find new work any time soon. Oh and "restructuring expert"? Well he just restructured the Twinkie in to bankruptcy. Nice one Greg, nice one. You get a bonus for going bankrupt. I'm curious how that works? And how could you accept bonuses knowing what a douche-nozzle you look like?

"The bakers union went on strike Nov. 9, when the company imposed a contract that would cut workers' wages by 8 percent. The Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union (BCTGM) said the contract would also cut benefits by 27 to 32 percent."

Explain this to me: How could Hostess executives even think that something like that would be okay? The economy sucks, costs are rising, and people can already barely afford the gas to get to work. And yet people blame the union. Sure unions aren't needed like they were when they were formed. Times have changed. Laws have changed. But I don't blame the union on this one. I blame the people who make a million or more in a year, not including bonuses.

I hope those executives are happy since they get to have their house, vacation homes in The Hamptons and Aspen, their yachts, private planes, and fancy sports cars. Never you mind about the people you screwed who now wonder how they're going to put food on the table, keep their homes and get another job in a sucky economy. Ya jackasses.

I take all this with a grain of salt, but there must be some truth to it. Even if it was just an idea, it's totally aggravating.

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce and the gang again!

1.  So, when did you last take a walk in the woods? A stroll along the beach? A drive going nowhere in particular in the car? 

Hmmm . . .probably when I last went to Burney Falls awhile back. It's woodsy.

As for a stroll on the beach . . . I can't remember the last time I was at the beach. And the Bay Area doesn't count. I rarely take an aimless drive - my last drive was to the Bay Area to see my BFF for a concert. Roughly 4 hours each way. Ick.

2.  Are you sending Christmas cards this year?  About how many do you send?  Photo card or something more traditional?  How do you display the cards you receive?

Yes, I'm sending cards this year. My last batch should be mailed on Wednesday and hopefully will reach everyone by Christmas. If not, I apologize. I'm sending out approximately 20 to 30 cards in total. I think. I usually send regular, traditional Christmas cards, although I'd like to eventually do the photo cards. When I get cards, I usually set them out somewhere so I can see them through the Holiday Season. 

3. What's a word you've heard too much of in the past week?

"Can I pay part now and part later?" Who lets you do that besides Visa, Mastercard, Discover and AmEx?
"How much is it to get my dog/cat spayed/neutered?" More than you would like, but lower than our competitors...
"Do you give senior discounts?" Nope. Sorry.
"This is a really weird question . . . " try me....
"How much will a visit cost me to have the vet look at my dog's ears? That doesn't include medication if needed? So how much will all this cost me???" No one will ever know if you don't come in...

Okay so that's way more than one word. But really, one word just won't work for me. 
 

4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-are you a fan?  Plain or flavored?  Marshmallows or no marshmallows?

I love a cup of hot cocoa. I prefer plain versus the flavored cocoas. And marshmallows or no makes no matter to me. 

5. What is something you do to help alleviate the hectic pace of the Christmas season?

Bake cookies. Do nothing. Watch a movie.

Or just get stuff done quickly.

Nah. Where's the fun in that? 

6. Besides jewelry, what's a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet?

I don't wear sparkly-glittery clothing. Sparkly-glittery belongs on jewelry, some clothes (tactfully), and never on vampires.  ;o) 

7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol.

You will get a sentimental feeling When you hear voices singing
"Let's be jolly; Deck the halls with boughs of holly"
Rocking around the Christmas Tree
Have a happy holiday
Everyone's dancing merrily
In a new old fashioned way

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

I started my day off having to deal with someone who doesn't know how to shut their trap. I was not a happy camper. Off and on I had to deal with this person. I'm not saying they're not nice, but I'm still not a fan. My day was fine during the times this person wasn't talking to me. I got home from work to find that my Mom had cooked up a pot of homemade chili. My day got a whole lot better. The cherry on top were the peanut butter cookies she made, too.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's time for Wednesday Hodgepodge again!

1.  Share your traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking.

In my family, we hang the stockings where we can. Currently its around the fireplace. My parents each have a stocking, as do I. Each year my parents buy each other "stuffing stockers" (as my dad calls them), and Santa fills mine each Christmas Eve. My parents and I wake up on Christmas morning and empty our stockings and see what Santa brought me. Last year marked the first year Granny joined us in our little family Christmas morning. And yes, Granny has her very own stocking. We also bought stockings for my aunt and uncle because last year they stayed with us as well, and they joined in our little Christmas morning.

2.  How many hours of sleep do you average at night?  Is it enough?

Probably around 6ish. 

3.  If you had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year what would it be?

Wow. Playing hardball here. Um. Fine. Be that way. Popcorn. I eat too much of it. But I make no guarantees.

4.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. Do you follow news of the Royals?

I had no idea they were expecting. So, obviously, I don't follow the news of the Royals very closely. Though I did manage to watch their wedding. It was beautiful - Kate made a gorgeous bride and Will was so very happy. I'm happy they are expecting.

5.  For me,  the sound of childhood is__________________.

Laughter.

6.  Fruit cake-yay or boo? What's your favorite dessert made with fruit?

Oooh, nasty. No on the fruitcake!

7. What is one thing you want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end?

Saving up enough for a place of my own. I have goals of trying to move out no later than the end of January if I can swing it. I love being back home, hanging with my parents . . . but the 5th wheel is no place to live long-term. For starters, storms are very loud in it, having to go out to it in the rain sucks (and going into the house . . .), and it rocks every time I move. Not to mention I know my parents will want to use it come spring time. lol

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 I forgot to get a box today for Mom and I to put all the stuff in for the boy who's angel card we took off a Salvation Army tree at the mall. Hopefully there will be some left tomorrow at work.

A Christmas Kindness

Last week I had an afternoon off from work and Mom asked me to go to town with her to get a Christmas item for Granny. We were at the mall and after we got what we needed, we started wandering around. At one end, there was an Angel Tree for the Salvation Army, with little cards shaped like angels with kids names on them.

We looked at the cards, Mom wanting to shop for a little kid. The ages on the cards ranged from 10-12. We finally picked the card of a 12 year old boy named Dominic, who wanted books. After shopping for him we started second guessing the sizes of everything we bought him. All of a sudden we're thinking everything we bought was too small. But then I told Mom to remember how small I was when I was 12. She thought about it and said, "hmm. okay."

On his Angel card was his shirt, pant, sweatshirt, and shoe size. He wanted books and Wii games (I was actually shocked at how many of those cards for kids that wanted video games of all kinds). We went directly to Old Navy and bought him a pair of pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and we comprised on the sweater/coat he wanted and got him a vest. At the check-stand we saw some video games and found a Wii game for Wipe Out. I figured that would be fun, so we bought that, too. Then we went to Payless Shoes and picked out the only decent pair out of three that were on the shelf for his size. Then we drove over to Barnes and Noble for books as the bookstore of my childhood in the mall went out of business many many moons ago. We walked in (soaking wet because the monsoon had evidently shown up a few hours before and was still going strong) and I suddenly wondered, what in the world does a 12 year old boy read?!

My first thought was Harry Potter.  Second thought was, hmm, he's probably already read them or at least seen the movies in which case if he saw the movies before reading the books he probably wouldn't be interested. My third thought was, I really hope this kid isn't a Twilight fan because there is no way I'm buying those. 

I figured most boys enjoy Science Fiction/Fantasy. So we went to the Young Readers section and started poking around. I found several books that I would probably enjoy. And I'm only about 20 years over the listed age range. Anyway, I finally saw a series of books written by Suzanne Collins, the author of The Hunger Games, which thanks to some prodding by my blogging friend, Jewels, I absolutely love. We splurged and got him the five books that were on the shelf. While checking out, I saw a family friend of ours - or rather the friend's son - who is around 20-ish. We hollered his name and visited with him for a few minutes after we'd bought the books. We told him what we were doing and I told him about trying to figure out what books a 12 year old boy would read. So I showed him the book I picked out and he got all interested so I figured they would work. I had actually had a thought of finding a 12 year old boy in the store and asking him, "so what do your kind read?" But I didn't.

In the end, this stranger will have a decent Christmas with some new outfit complete with shoes, a new Wii game, and five new books - complete with a bookmark that Mom thought about while waiting in line at the book store.

It was nice to do something for a stranger, for a kid who may not have much of a Christmas otherwise. I know Christmas is a bit tight for my family and definitely for myself. But I have the ability to still help a kid for Christmas. As Mom said to me that afternoon in the mall, shopping for this little boy, "I raised my kid right. It feels good, doesn't it?"

Yes, Mom, you did. And yes, it does.

Merry Christmas, Dominic!

 This kid made out like a bandit!