happy new year

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!

new template

New template for the blog. I'd like something new. But it's a pain. Because I'm really not a programmer and every time I change the template, the widgets get lost. Then I have to fiddle around with the skeleton of the blog. The raw template needs massaging. Wish me luck. Please.

bracelet

"Home is Where Your Pet Is" bracelet available at The Animal Rescue Site

It made me think of Natty.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!
or in some places, Happy Christmas!

gripe

Christmas is a great occasion. Yes, it's good to celebrate. But it ought NOT to be an obligation. Sure, I'll be at midnight mass. I'll do my church gigs if I'm up. Outside of that, I do have a job that I'm trying to maintain. I'm up to my eyeballs with work. I have deadlines. When I say I'm friggin busy, I mean I'm busy. I did fund the Christmas meal. We did do grocery shopping. I did put some lights up. But please cut me a break and take into some consideration that I have other obligations, and being festive isn't on the front burner. *grumble*

busy

Been busy. Have had several nights this week in which I only got 2-3 hours of sleep. Today I went to a day of prayer.

What took all that time was Christmas cards. We don't do it every year, thank goodness. We sent out over a hundred. Signed them all, hand addressed them all, and for those who are close, included some personal message. Else they all have a hand-written "Merry Christmas!" even if it's already on the print.

We bought these cards some years ago. It was tough finding the cards we wanted. We bought several different designs. We copy the card and then keep a tally of who got what design so that they won't get the same design the next time around. We only track the ones that come multiple in a box. We don't track the "one-of" cards.

wheels for your meals

you can get it here

I wonder if it's difficult to clean.

movies

"2012" - It was ok. It'll hold your interest, but once you've seen it, you can forget it and go on to something better. I'd rate it on par with "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

"Precious" - This one can be quite depressing. If you're not afraid to look at the darker side of humanity, then go ahead an watch this one. Yes, good does win out, but this isn't "It's a Wonderful Life." Absolutely do NOT take the kids to this one.

"The Blind Side" - This one is uplifting. Sandra Bullock's character is unforgettable. You can take mom to see this one.

great presentation

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. It's an American thing. I've been out of town. We've just collected the critters from boarding today ... I'd estimate their boarding in total is about as much as our hotel cost.

Anyhow, here is something far more entertainining and far more educational than my thoughts. I'd say it's approved for all audiences, regardless of your background, age, or interests. Please check it out. Video is 76 minutes including introduction at the beginning and questions and answers at the the end; Brother Guy will keep your interest.

Astronomy, God, and the Search for Elegance (video) presented by Brother Guy Consolmagno, SJ at the Lunar and Planetary Institute. Brother Guy is a curator of meteorites at the Vatican Observatory.