Update

Time is running out - only 3 plus hours left in this year.  The project doesn't appear to have progressed much - does it?

However, I must inform you (dear reader) that I have filled two large trash bags and one small, grocery-store size plastic bag with detrius, have identified half a bed full of "stuff" for donation, and am still committed to the enterprise.

On the other had, it is starting to look not likely before tomorrow.  In addition to working on "the project," the kitties have celebrated New Year's Eve with one can of tuna.  I have baked a sausage casserole (made with "self-rising corn meal flour") and began my personal celebration with a pizza and "Electric Reindeer" Merlot.

I suppose it is almost time to quit the project until tomorrow - but the tunes on the radio are "oldies" and it has been a fun afternoon and evening.  Time to make certain that the cell phone is charged for the "New Year's" calls. 

See you in the next decade - and remember to use a "designated driver" if you are out and partying.

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin

End of Year Project.

New Year's Eve Day project.  I have been threatening to complete this for several months.  After starting two days ago, I believe it now looks much worse than when I started.  Wish me luck - my goal is to finish before 2010!

Talk about decluttering - what an understatement!  There are files to review, stuff to repackage and other to toss, and then the furnishings.  I am down to my last 11 hours and 30 minutes (or so).  Here goes (nothing as they say).  Will publish results of the effort.

"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by." ~Douglas Adams

Cold Enough?

Another chilly and snowy morning.  I guess the year will go out like a "lion in winter" (sorry William).  I thought yesterday was cold (and it was, believe me), but today the snow has reappeared.  Forecast is for two snowy days and then the temperatures will drop (like the ball on Times Square).  A great way to start the decade (2010).

 My preference has been to start each New Year with a run outside.  This will be a challenge on Friday (because the promised high temperature won't exceed 19).  Makes me wonder about global warming (or "climate change" to use the PC phrase) 

As you can see, the birds have been making tracks over the fish pond these past few days.  I can only hope that the road will be clear on Friday for the annual trial.

With luck the day will be sunny and no wind.  That certainly will preferable than the sight that met me at 9 AM yesterday - frost remained on all the vegetation (unless covered by snow, naturally) until midday.  I finally roused myself and headed into "town" for some end-of-the-year shopping.  Glad to return, after covering several sections of road that were covered with frost, I intend to remain home until after the New Year.

Home-bound projects include working on the office.  So far the valance has been replaced with curtains on spring rods (hopefully, this will keep the cold out and allow the room to be somewhat warmer) and the computer setup has been moved.  Today it appears as if a bomb went off in the room.  Hopefully, tomorrow's update will show a workable space with no clutter (I hope anyway).

"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." ~William Morris

Post Christmas

Food

Family

Food

Family and friends ...

And so it went ... Christmas 2009.

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other." ~Burton Hillis

Busted!

Hustle all morning and then see what happens when "they" figure out what is going on!  I am almost ready to hit the road in spite of all the extra assistance I have had this morning (actually starting with the checkout at Walmart a couple days ago when the purchase items did not all make it into my basket).  I still have time to met my goals and should be able to assist with the "Night Before the Night Before: preparations.  Several stops between now and then however.

Keeping stress to a minimum.  Breating IN and then OUT and then IN and then OUT and... .

'Stress is nothing more than a socially acceptable form of mental illness.' ~Richard Carlson

CSPAN

I have a new favorite television channel - CSPAN/Senate. What a circus! Watched it most of the day yesterday and it is on again this morning.

Debate, debate, debate. The national news channels cannot compete with the show on CSPAN. The pundits cannot do the actual events justice with their sound bites and summaries.

I encourage all to watch the FACTS as they unfold. The senators are really losing their civility toward one another. The comments (on both sides) are outragous at times, low-blows, and catty. Incredible that these are supposed to be the best and the brightest sent to DC to represent the voters!

Sorry, but I just couldn't resist. The tempatation to comment has overwelmed me.

"Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against." ~W.C. Fields

Holiday Spirit!

Today is the turning event of the year.  The day that I start to perk up and be a happy person again - winter came in around 7:30 AM today!  What that means (to me anyway) is the days will start having more daylight now! 

Some of my friends try and deny the phenomena every year, but I do become more cheerful on this day.  The last week or so has not been good (at least in the emotional arena).  I have felt a tad out of sorts, perhaps grumpy.  Today all that ends (at least until late June - but that is much later).

As for the holidays - we are all aware that Christmas comes with a myriad of challenges.  There is the stress we impose on our selves during the annual present hunt.  There is the added stress that comes from being sleep deprived between all the festivities, decorating the home, and general distractions of the season.  Finally, there is the stress of the weather (and shortening days) - generally cold, cloudy, and wet ("snow, rain, or sleet).

The cats are no exception.  First, they were in the mood to ignore the holiday.  Two days ago, that changed.  Buddy has been harassing BK since he showed up and entered the house.  BK has finally had enough!  Saturday, Buddy was staring out the window when BK snuck up behind him, leaped on his back, and started biting Buddy's neck.  This, obviously, is a big "NO NO." 

When BK showed last summer (I think there could be photos on this blog from then), he had signs of a cat fight that he took the brunt of (including a huge patch of missing fur and exposed muscle mass on the back of his neck).  Clearly, BK has decided to use the skills he has developed on Buddy.  Poor Buddy - he tends to be a bully, but is really a (dare I say it) pussy cat. 

I spend my day separating the two males.  Right now BK is in the master bedroom area, and Buddy has roaming area with the "girls."  They will switch locales later.  This was my day yesterday. BK spent the night outside (I guess he likes the snow).

"Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it." - Lily Tomlin

Climate Change

I certainly do not want to take anything away from the supreme leaders who are meeting in Copenhagen these days, but "climate change?"  Give me a break!  There are bigger issues in this world today than making promises (largely that can't or won't be met) concerning cutting back on man-made emissions. 

Monday temperatures were close to 50, Tuesday and Wednesday they hovered in the 20s, yesterday they rebounded, and today have remained in the mid-40s while we wait for snow flurries.  The birds found the suet feeder on Wednesday, and by mid-morning today located the sunflower seeds out in front of the kitchen window.  Birds are happy, kitties keep going outside, and BK has spent at least two nights this week out.

Seems rather NORMAL to me.  In the meantime, exactly what was the "carbon footprint" of those attending the big climate conference?  How many private planes were required to get the dignitaries to the meeting?  Why couldn't they take a hint from business and teleconference?  That would have been much "greener" and would have sent a more positive message.

No one should approach the temple of science with the soul of a money changer. ~Thomas Browne

Pending Holiday Activities

As you can see, "we've" been busy getting prepared for Christmas.  First, the Christmas-update letter had to be written.  Then cards located and a mailing list created (by consolidating several from past years and adding new people).  Finally, finding a space to complete the mailing is critical.  I have found that using the coffee table in the living room does not work, but clearly neither does using the kitchen counter (thank you, Black Beauty!).

Today (with a little luck) I will finalize the minimal gift locating.  I hope to head out soon (after addressing a couple more cards - if I can avoid having my pen bumped by helpful kitties - see above).  The temperature, unfortuantely, is more Christmas-like today (rather than the nearly 50 degrees we enjoyed yesterday, we will be lucky to see the upper 20s today). 

Not all in the household feel impelled by the frenzy around them.  Note that BK has decided to "rest up" from all the activity (actually, he has decided to head out for a little "fresh air" at the momen).  He discovered the "tree skirt" under Audrey and has made it his current "home."  Interesting - Bandit used to use this very skirt.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. ~Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

It's beginning to look ...

The good news today is the temperatures are above freezing.  It's good, because the rain has started (and stopped and started again, and so forth).  I finally ventured out to begin the annual hunt for appropriate gifts to commerate Christmas.  Although the job has barely begun, at least I was able to begin the decorating of "mi casa."

In honor of the season, I found some lights on sale and now have white blinking ones on the mantle as well as on the window over "Audrey's" head.  Audrey herself is now decked out in green lights for a festive look.  She is happy.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring.  Hopefully, the temperatures will remain above freezing over night so the trip to town in the morning will be safe.  I have a brief stop at the grocery planned and then inside for more Christmas preparations.

In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' ~Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

Falling Temperatures

Over night the wind died down just a little. The temperature this morning, however, was about 5.  Now the wind has re-exerted itself and the wind chill is likely in the negative digits.  In order to amuse those of you who do not reside in the Midwest or north of the famous Mason-Dixon line, the ambient temperature right now is 16.  Whew - I feel a heat wave.  So much for Global Warming, Al.

Actually, the sun is out and the kitties are confused.  BK keeps venturing forth, only to return in a short while.  Wind gusts are just keeping the day too cold for critters to be out and about.  Humane Society warnings abound on the news programs today.  Keep them inside and provide "insulated" cover for the feral cats.  My feral cat is quite content staying inside after his brief attempts to meander around the yard (has not been outside more than 5 minutes at a time).

Fish are likely at the bottom of the ponds. I think they are not moving much - sort of hibernating.  The flag is straight out again (see yesterday's post) and the gale has returned from the West.  Another good day to stay inside. 

"I was just thinking, if it is really religion with these nudist colonies, they sure must turn atheists in the wintertime." ~Will Rogers

Wintery Blast!

What a challenge - to take a photograph (or two) that shows the wind (and resulting chill) today.  The morning started with a balmy 36 degrees, but the temperature has steadily dropped since then.  As I write, the thermometer indicates that the temperature at the top of the screened porch is now 19.  Wind has come from the west at a consistent 30+ mph with gusts around 50 mph (or maybe more).  Great day to stay inside if you ask me.

I have managed a few accomplishments.  For example, I decided that the resume format I have used for the past several months apparently is not working (or else the job offers would have been piling up in my mailbox, right?).  For about a week I have been re-formatting in my mind and today I committed the changes and have sent out a few (via the electronic media - how else) as a test.  While accomplishing this, the temperatures fell and the fire place was lit (and then turned off when the temperature neared 68).  I decided to evaluate the outside and found the fish pond freezing around the edges.  By tomorrow morning I predict a mere trickle from the fountain and the rest a frozen mass.  I am not really ready for that side of winder (yet).

Then one more attempt at depicting the wind.  I had to step outside, but found the perfect (in my mind) example of the current gale - the flag.  For you who are not close to this location, I hope this gives you a real "feel" of the situation we faced today.

"The weather outside is frightful ..." is a refrain now coming through my mind.  Time to get the decorations out and make Christmas come inside. 

"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries." ~W.J. Cameron

December is Winter!

Two days ago "we" were greeted with below freezing temperatures.  The fountain in the fish pond has icicles hanging below the flowing water.  It won't be long before the ponds freeze over and the fish go dormant for the winter months. 

The "killing frost" showed itself on the grass and other surviving vegetation.  That was the end of fall.  It was also "deer season" for those with permits and guns!  I haven't seen "my deer" since the first season two weeks ago.  I wonder if they survived the on slaught.  One more season this year (for guns that is).

I did have a hunter show up on Friday night.  Apparently he had hit a deer about a half mile from here and had been tracking it.  He wanted permission to look for it in my backyard (which naturally I gave him - who wants a dead deer in the yard?).  I have no idea if he found it or not.

This morning provided the first snow fall that stuck. Blondie (who else) was the first "inside" cat to venture forth.  BK had spent the night out and tracked the deck while waiting to get inside at 6:30 AM.  Winter has definitely arrived.  The snow has now departed (for the day), but we have the promise of more tomorrow night.  Time to decorate for the season.

The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event. You go to bed in one kind of a world and wake up in another quite different, and if this is not enchantment then where is it to be found? ~J.B. Priestley