Flashback Friday...Happy Pencil...uh, Christmas!

When I was in Romania, I learned how to say "Craion Fericite", Happy Christmas.
For 3 weeks before leaving for a trip to Germany, I proudly greeted every Romanian I knew with my new word I learned. They, being the humble and polite people they are, smiled and thanked me.
Two days before leaving the country, one of the Romanian girls that knew me and had a more out-going sense of humor...heard me say this and said..."you American fool, you are not saying Merry Christmas." I asked what WAS I saying?
I had walked around for 3 weeks wishing everyone a Happy Pencil.

Oh well!
My intentions were good...

Hope your Christmas was Happy!

Yep!

Christmas is a go!

60 to 4 in 48 hours or less

Video update:

24 hours...down to 60 minutes

now need to take it from 60 to 4 in 48 hours

x

8 more hours of retail hell

ah, December!

Flashback Friday...Merry Christmas from the Vandercars

I don't know if it was used on a Christmas card or not...
but it's the perfect picture for one of those old style picture cards

Merry Christmas to and from the Vandercars!

Christmas Crunch

24 hours.
That's 24 hours of video tape.
It all needs to be uploaded to the computer...that's 24 hours real time.
Then it all needs to be whittled away down to a four minute song.
I just found an email from last year, sent on Nov. 30 and I was fretting cause I was so far behind.
I just spent 2 days uploading and still have 12 hours left to upload.
2 days off remaining before Christmas.

I think I'm screw ----oooooooged.

24 hours...just call me, Jack.

Flashback Friday....Bookends

Bookends

The oldest - The youngest

The Firstborn - The baby
Big Sis - Little Sis
Then and Now
Forever

Directions to here:
I'm sure I can speak for Janet as well...We are so proud and blessed to be the bookends for all the chapters in between!

Viva Knievel

Evel Knievel

1973:

I'm laying on the floor, clutching a pillow, wide eyes glued to the tv screen.
Who doesn't remember holding their breath when this dare devil was suspended mid-air above all those buses?
Along with my brothers, he was the reason I wanted to ride motorcycles, build ramps, learn to pop wheelies and wear stars and striped leather. And He, I'm sure was also what inspired more than a few bruises on my arms and legs in the weeks that followed those televised jumps. (I don't recall the disclaimer "don't try this at home)."

Anyway, as you probably know...
another American Icon has passed away.
I heard he made peace with "the spirit in the sky."

Mr. Knievel,
Thanks for making me hold my
breath with anticipation and wonder.Directions to here:

Remember how he used to
ride right up to the edge of the jump and stop...look...and then roll back down?
You will feel like a kid again,
I promise.

Six Tens

Happy Birthday, Janet !!

And Taylor too!

Flashback Friday...Snow Day

Snow is falling on Main Street.
I just heard a plow go by.

Winter is officially here.

Being the youngest, I think I missed most of the "all play" snow days. But someone had to teach me how to make snow angels and I do remember rolling snow men into being...so thank you whoever took me outside to "play" in the snow...I know you were all probably over it by that time.
My favorite all time memories involving snow and home are:
1. Burying bottled coke in the snow bank to make it extra ice cold and
2. How the side yard would be transformed into a winter wonderland every December when the Dad would plant the forest of Christmas trees for sale at the Log Cabin.

Another Safe Season

Fridge Art by Jeremy

Thanks to the safety lessons that were passed down from one generation to another, another deer season has ended safely.

This picture CRACKS ME UP!
I can just see him at his desk with his box of 64.
When other kids were drawing their pets and the tree in the yard,
our own Jeremy had visions of deer and forests.
And he knew his target audience.
Want to get the attention of your Grandpa?
Don't draw dinasours or aliens; draw white tale bucks and hunters!

Sorry, Kel...this is the man you married and this his how far back the history goes!
It's in his blood!

Media Tuesday...you oughta know...

You oughta see:
Away From Her

But, prepare to cry.
We went to the library screening of this film last Friday. It is tender, heartbreaking and yet amusing enough to not just wash you away. The characters are different and both likable and unlikeable at times...but it's the story that will leave you pensive. It was all a little too close to home and I have to say I had to numb myself a little to keep watching. If you've ever walked through an assisted livng/nursing home, you'll be familiar with the 3rd main character that is not credited in this film...it's the place itself and the feelings it provokes...and this film captures it all too well.

You oughta hear:
Counting Crows - A Long December

An anthem.
I first heard it around the time Mom was in and out of the hospital.
I remember hearing it the night Heidi went to the E.R. with a broken wrist.
I listened to it when I was broken down and stranded in Sircoxie, Missouri.
And it was the first thing I listened to after the last meeting with HR (thank, god) and signing the papers to leave Crusade.
I listen to it every December 1st.
And it still moves me and means a lot to me.
Na, na, na, na....yeah.

Further on up the Road

"...and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes
and death shall be no more;
neither shall there be mourning,
nor crying,
nor pain..."

revelation. 21:4

Cheers to the Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday, Heidi

As the African says:
Hip Hip Hoorah!

Directions to here:
Yes, Shel and Cori, she still is "so cool" and that's Lua...who is in the pre-school to cool...with a mama like that, she's sure to pass the class!

And to those that love them....

The Hunter Widows
Helen Jean and Faith

After reading Verna's comment, I remembered that I forgot to post this special picture in yesterdays ramblings.

All hail to the women who are married to the hunters!

I guess my mom knew what she was getting herself into since:
1. They were engaged while squirrel hunting and
2. They went pheasant hunting on their honeymoon.
Even tho she owned her own gun (which by the way I only found out at Joey's birthday shoot), I have a feeling she didn't really care all that much about hunting or fishing. Maybe she "didn't mind it", but I think she did it because she loved my dad.
So here's to the women who went along, packed lunches, cleaned fish, stayed home with the (6) kids (for a day or a week ie: cabin in Penn.), cut up, ground, froze and cooked deer meat, kept Thanksgiving dinners warm (after fixing them by themselves...with the (6) kids "helping") and let their home interior decor be mixed with antlers and head mounts. Can you say: L-O-V-E ?

They are just as good sports...as our outdoor sportsmen!

Directions to here:
thanks for all the comments!
I love them and hearing what memories these photos bring back!