One Step Forward...Now Look Back

I know the song says "One Step Forward. Two steps back.
Nobody gets too far like that."

I think we can't move forward without looking back.
Maybe it is the whole 'History Repeats' theme... I dunno.

Today I took my look back. 
Old journals... the pen and ink kind I kept.
Computers crash, memories are lost.  Pen and ink last until the fire.

As a form of entertainment my family used to play a game.
Left, Right, Straight.
It was a long time ago.  Gas was cheep and it was affordable entertainment.

True story this.
I wrote this from my daughter's eyes.

In "Group" we learn ways to cope with the world around us - replace dysfunctional thinking with better ways to view the world and deal with it... the middle... it's kind of like the Left, Right, Straight game my mother played in the car on Sundays.  We'd all pile in and someone would start, at every cross road someone would say - left - right - or straight.  Backwards was never an option. 

Off we'd go on our convoluted drive.  Sometimes you had no choice to turn, but if you kept from turning too much you could cover a lot of ground.  Mom was one of the participants and so she could keep us in some sort of forward motion - otherwise we could just drive around the block repeatedly.  Mom's choice was always straight.

She was, after all, trying to  eventually get somewhere.  We'd stop for a burger and fries when we had money or just for a quarter refill of her soda jug if we didn't, but we always happened upon someplace that would suit our needs.

One day when I suppose my mother had other things on her mind she said straight and for the most part so did we kids.  Or maybe mom thought it was cool that her kids were figuring out that in order to go places you can't keep turning, turning, turning... sometimes you have to chose foreword.

Forward we went.  Farther than we'd ever gone before.  Soon we were in the middle of no where.  "You can't get lost with Left, Right, Straight" my mother said trying to quell our fears.  You just keep going until the next choice is available."

And keep going we did.  Our twenty year old Buick was a trooper and bumped and jumped on that dirt road, kind of like a carnival ride.  Then we came to a bridge.  I said before that going back was never an option for my mother.  She stopped the car, eyed the bridge.  I suppose she contemplated how very heavy the Buick was.  You could tell it was more than a foot bridge, but it looked so old and rickety, the hanging bridges you see in movies, the ones with all the boards missing, swaying in the slightest breeze and nothing between you and a zillion foot drop but an old board and unraveling rope...

We crossed the bridge, the car so wide the sides almost touched. After the bridge it was not much farther before we found a cross roads and soon found a connivance store.  I was sure it was a 'refill day' as mom had brought the jug.  Instead we got to chose our own candy and a small drink.

We were in heaven.

Was She celebrating our ability to move forward or thrilled that were were alive and had made it across the bridge. 

I will always remember her moto.

Never back.

GVSU Commencement 2012 -

Girl fools speaker into saying "Frickin-awesome...

This is just awesome.  I like this girl. 
I love that the audience picked up on it but the gentleman reading the names didn't get it for a name or two.

You can't make this up...

Santa is too damn cute! I am so taking him and Clarice to work tomorrow.  No, I haven't been playing with him. Why do you ask?

Do you know that Santa sings lots of songs and Clarice only does Rudolf.... which sounds kind of wrong when you say it that way.

Santa is possessed and won't stop singing.  The thought of Rudolf and Clarice doing it has put him over the edge, I am going to play cookie Santa to counter the spell.  Wish me luck.

See the whole butler comment suddenly makes sense, does it not?

 

 

This is cookie Santa.  Yes, that is wine.  No it's not empty.  Not yet.

 

Santa and Clarice.  He's a multi tasker and she's a one trick pony.

 

The kids use to surprise me with stockings.  I thought that would end when they left the domain.  Seems I didn't take back all the keys and "Santa" made a visit.

 

 

I got up to walk Chester to discover that Santa had paid a visit.

Jake mentioned that they were lucky to not be maced or batted.

I mentioned they were smart enough to come in the early sleep where I'm comatose.

 

 

Santa Brought Chester a dildo.  Or a large chew..  I wanted to build an inappropriate snowman, but I did not.  You are very welcome DH.

 

Dear gods.  Mouse ears.  He does it naturally.  Must be magic.

 

 

Barbosa and Jess.  He's such an active pup that getting his picture is impossible... I did try.

It was a good Christmas. Crazy, food filled and just fun.

Oh butt shots for those who might want them.

Jake said, "You totally took a butt shot. "
I said, "I totally did."

 



But...

It has only been a couple of months.... How did you lose the crazy?

I'm out shoveling the walks.  I wanted an ergonomically correct shovel.  Which I love by the way.  DH is across the valley and my OCD need to clear the walks resulted in me requesting a 'better' shovel.

I am out shoveling 6 plus inches and I'm railing at the snow flakes.... I should have asked for a butler.

When the kids showed up for a bread machine I mentioned my need of a butler and Jess didn't get it.

How the hell did you lose the crazy?
If I had said that when you lived here you so would have gotten it.

Ya know, a butler to shovel the snow?....
Like this needs to be explained.  Who doesn't want a butler?

Christmas Traditions

At work we were talking about Christmas traditions that our families have.

Every year we got PJ's on Christmas eve.  That way in the morning when photos were taken there were no embarrassing holes. 
(Ya know the bare ass in the embarrassing thing. ;)

This appears to be a universal tradition. Parents all over the world like appropriate photos it seems.

The following tradition, not so universal.

Right before bed we'd sit around the table and get sloshed.  Seriously.  My parents would ply us with wine so we'd sleep.  Couldn't get away with that in this day and age. 

Mom would read us The Night Before Christmas.  Drunk children can make some pretty humorous comments.  Made even more hilarious when Mom had been hitting the eggnog a bit early.

We'd then stagger our way to bed.
Dad would make strong black coffee for my Mom and magical, magical in the morning Santa had left us presents.

One year Grant decided he was grown up and proclaimed there was no Santa.  He wanted to help wrap presents for 'the kids'.  My dad agreed and as Grant was wrapping presents he noticed he didn't have any.  When he inquired about the lack my father said, "You don't believe in Santa, why would you get presents."  My dad could be a dick like that. 

Grant must have mended his ways in the night because in the morning Santa had stopped by and left him presents.

Do you have any family traditions or fun stories to share.

**BTW  don't judge me or my family
It is the same family that allowed us to smoke my grandpa's pipes and Grant got a cigarette that he traded me for a pipe.  I discovered that smoking did not sit well with me.  Nor cousin Jeff who was puking audibly in the bathroom.

When I was in middle school and everyone thought it cool to smoke in the 'circle' or drink behind their parents backs.  I was free to say, "I can do that at home. What's the point?"

My family is crazy.  I am crazy. 
But it looks good on me. ; )

Merry Christmas Eve, Eve

I am not a religious person, but I love Christmas carols... I substitute words as needed. Jebus and what not. I love the harmonies and the feelings and ...   I love the carols.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day has always been my favorite.
Total god song...dunno, I love it.
My favorite Carol since I can remember.
Maybe it was the Viet Nam War and my fear of my brother Grant being in the possible draft.  Grant is my hero, as I am sure I've said before. Always has been. Always will be.
I dunno, the whole peace on earth thing resonates with me.

My family is rooted in God people.
It just didn't take with me. Only the male of the species acquired that trait in my siblings.
Scotty went to his god in his pirate costume complete with hat.
Papa didn't get the hat, but he wasn't really a believer and was bullied into the pirate outfit by Scotty prior to being burned.... funny in the fact that in Scotty's eyes, that's where Papa went. Perhaps?

As for me?

Meet you in hell Dad. Love ya.

A while ago I wondered if that was how a god was kept alive.

Where did the old gods go?
Did people stop singing their praises.
Did they stop tying ribbons to trees near springs.
Did they old gods die or just hibernate?

Do they come back?

The Mayan Apocalypse was the handing over the era from one god to another, as best I've ascertained.

Is that god pissed that I love to sing songs to another god I don't acknowledge?
And by inadvertently acknowledging give him strength?

Fantasy Writer much????

Stupid thought, but I've wondered now for many years.
Does my love of a Carol keep Jebus alive?
Thoughts?


Words if you can't video.

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.

Longfellow really? I didn't know this.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along th'unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head:
'There is no peace on earth, ' I said
'For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.'

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
'God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.'

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Precisely at 4:11 am

Chester started barking uncontrollably. Bob started meowing and hissing. The bed began to levitate. 

 

Then there was the other dream where the zombie apocalypse was taking place and I had to leave home without a bra so running was uncomfortable. But pain be damned I was motivated to escaped the zombies that were following me.  

 

I did find a place to hide out. The house was built on a really tall concrete block and it took a lot of energy to get to up the block and get to the house. Jumping and scrambling and what not.  Made it very safe as zombies don't seem to have a lot of energy. There were guinea pigs in the bath tub so I couldn't take a shower.

 

Oh and somehow Simon Cowll was in my dream - I think it might have been his house. I eventually found an orange and yellow sports bra but I don't remember running after actually getting the bra.

 

I think I've been playing around with the whole apocalypse thing too much. ;)

Mayan Apocalypse

 

 

DH sent me this card.  I loved it and had to share.

 



Christmas Cheer

My friend got this from e cards and it was too good not to share.

I saw this over on Mable Talk's blog.  It made my day.

 



I might be pushing it.

I am in charge of making the signs for the window when we are going to be closed. 
This time I might be pushing it - maybe? 
Below is the sign that will greet my boss this morning.

 

Due to conflicting information

Preferred Title will be open on

December 21, 2012

Happy Solstice!!

 

Squee!!

I won first prize on the Baby Faces Blog Fest over on Trisha's blog, Words + Stuff. 
For my prize I got to choose a book from Trisha's selection.

I chose Hex Hall

 

 

Thanks Trisha, this was a fun and unexpected honor!

What did you do?

This photo came in one of those e-mail pass a rounds.  This was my favorite.  It made me think of the Lordling.  That pup, really, really tried to behave but...

So, what's on your bucket list?

Only a short time left before the Mayan Apocalypse, how will you spend your last days?

I saw this over at JJJ's blog Novel Truths and bought it immediately. 

I haven't had a chance to read the whole book yet.  

I cherry picked the ones that tickled my fancy last night.

 16.  Throw Away All Your Books (Except this one)  

ahahaha It is an e-book.  One book goes, they all go.  

20.  Go to work in a Gorilla Suite.  

JJJ suggested a devil outfit.... At my work they would just shrug and accept. 

44.  Answer the Question, "How are you?" with complete honesty

"Other than waiting to light my desk on fire, I'm doing pretty well.  After all I'm leaving here aren't I?" Oh, that would be choice.  Lighter fluid in one hand, a match in the other and a crazed smile on my face. 

Can you imagine the things that would be said if we all didn't do the polite thing? 

Oh would I had the courage to try it.  

55. Speak with a different fake accent each day.

Kind of coincides with my, never answer the phone as the same person thing.  Love it.

74. Start your own apocalypse Blog.

"If a person has a computer and a least one finger, they can start a blog."

Alas, this sounds a bit too much like my blog.

81.  Stock up on Crossbows, Stakes, Hammers and Axes.

I write fantasy - what stocking up would be required?  

It is a fun romp  by Jon Hanson and more than worth the $1.99 he's asking.

JJJ did not lead me astray.  She never does. 

 For the Zombie Apocalypse JJJ suggested that a helmet might be in order.  I think I concur.

NaNo's over. Now What?

What to do with this sprawling mass of words.

In the past I've liked my story's.  Even struggled most of last year to get  Nano 2011 Novel to fly. It was a struggle, fought me every step of the way and I decided to 'drawer it' for the time.

I wandered into Nano this year with nothing really. The basic premise was that I would have a "completed" novel when I was done.  A beginning, a middle and an end.

I had an ending in mind.  I had sketched it out earlier to help me get to the finished product.  However, on the last day of Nano as I wrote my ending a whole lot of surprises jumped out at me.  "Wait one minute. You were supposed to be helping. You're evil? Grandma - what big teeth you have."

On the last day there was much that was made clear to me.  Perhaps because my brain knew that this was it. Since I hadn't gotten where it thought I should be it took me there and said, "Here ya go. Don't say I never gave you nothing."

Now I get to be like Merlin and live backwards in time.  Start at the end and figure out what I need to get to the beginning.  I need to start discovery and flesh out these characters, something I've always done before starting the story.  Backwards works, or it won't.  But this year I am more hopeful than in the past.  I'm ready to figure it out.

Baby Faces Blog Fest

Trisha has a blog fest and I have a photo.  I will play.

What are the requirements? 

1. Between December 2nd and 3rd, post a pic of yourself as a baby, and/or;
2. Tell us a story about when you were a baby (no doubt you can't quite remember it yourself, but you've probably heard some stories from other members of your family).

You can choose to do one or the other or both, depending on your mood on the day(s). ;)

Yes they spelled Judie wrong.  It's the way my mother spelled it.  I rebelled at some point.  I remember her shouting at me. " I named you Judy!!!" I screamed back, "You named me Judith. I can do any thing with my nick name that I want."  She compromised and until the day she died she spelled my name Judi - eh, works.  Love ya mom.

Scott, he was my book end.  He is the brother that died in June - I'm still working through that.

Grant, my big brother and my hero.  

Janey and Jeff?  Yep, that would be my cousins.  You'd wouldn't know it to look at Janey, but that bald head turned into quite the beauty.  My Jr. High self was quite jealous at the time.

But that's not the stories that I first remember.

We had a dog name Snicklefritz, I thought it a monster of a dog. It was actually a terrier or some such.  What I remember is going on fly hunts.  The pup would bark and my dad rolled up a news paper and we went on a killing spree.

I remember my mom playing the old upright.  She was good enough to be a concert pianist but my dad sucked her into a life of motherhood and stuck her with us.  I am not sure that we were ever enough for her, but she'd play the piano and we'd dance.

I remember getting the chicken pox and using my best bead necklace to try and get the lotion out of the bottle, necklace went in and I never got it back.  Who'da guessed my mom had another bottle.

I remember going to the train station to see my brothers off with my grandmother and great grandmother, they were off for Disney Land. I thought the train station was the end of the world. I believed that on the other side of the train tracks the wold just dropped off.

I know these memories were at least by the age of 4, because when I was 5 my parents bought a home on the other side of the tracks.... guess the world didn't end after all.

This is a Blog Hop pop on over to Trisha's to see those who are joining in.

Meet Ginger, my new Grand Kitty

Jess and Stavo found her at a shelter.
Her first family had to move from their home and took her in to the shelter.

I applaud people who are responsible with their choices.
I have porch kitties whose people thought they'd be just fine on their own.
(It's a soap box I won't stand upon today.)

Her second family brought her back because she was 'destructive'.
They didn't bother to get her a scratch post and wondered why she took it out on their furniture.  I applaud that they had the good sense to take her back when it was not a fit.

She has found a good home with the kids.  She is still working on getting used to the boys.  She is okay with dogs, but the lordling can be a bit much.  She will win the pups over as she has the rest of us.

Welcome to the family Ginger.