New And Almost New Girls

This is Sheba. Brooke talked me into saving this baby at the rescue. She's about three years old according to the vet. She already had the name Sheba, so I didn't think it was fair to rename her. She isn't very Sheba-like, but she's very sweet and drives Lucy to distraction. Lucy is still somewhat jealous, but she's getting used to Sheba the way she warmed to Dixie. Hopefully the sisters will soon be friends.

Brooke's new baby, Sweet Pea, aka Little Bit. She's a 12 weeks old and is a shih tzu/pekinese mix. She weighs almost three pounds. She's a ball of black energy and fluff. She doesn't have a wonky eye, but this photo makes her look that way. We love her already. What's not to love?

Sweet Pea (Little Bit) with her brother, Samson.

Sadie, Sam and Sweet Pea.

A Hoot

korean baby singing hey jude

The New House: Brooke Style

Cory and Danielle's House Party

More Than An "Oldie"

I'll Stand Beneath Your Window Tonight and Whistle

New Sidebar

I began a new sidebar on my blog with a list of Music Blog Aggregators. I use these sites to fetch new, old and indifferent music from various blogs. There's a wealth of music (and some trash) to be found here.

Music Blog Aggregator:

XChannel (the best)
Digital Meltdown
Share
Freewave
Rockshot
Totally Fuzzy
Whole Lotta Blog
Gravy Bread

From 1913

The Trail of the Lonesome Pine

Romantic Ballad
Walter Van Brunt, 1913
Edison 50083-
LTenor Walter Van Brunt sings Ballard McDonald and Harry Carroll's popular song of Old Virginia in the typical overwrought style of the period.
Romantic and sentimental songs were a constant on the vaudeville stage.

Tornado Alley

Brooke's Home

On the road to Brookie's house. I thought this just looked pretty this morning.

From this.

To this.

The house is completed. The fence hasn't been put back up in the rear. She won't have a view of the bus barn. Inside pics to come.

We'd Be Smart To Remember

Laughter is no enemy to learning.

Walt Disney

I was telling Brooke that if I had retained my ability to play this tune on the trumpet, I would have never lost my stomach muscles. Takes me back to Weleetka High School's Spring Band Conert my Senior year.

A Trumpeter's Lullaby

The Song From the Commercial

Yael Naim - New Soul

A Groaner From Stacey T

А Тicket

A police officer pulls a guy over for speeding and has the following exchange:

Officer: May I see your driver’s license?

Driver: I don’t have one. I had it suspended when I got my 5th DUI.

Officer: May I see the owner’s card for this vehicle?

Driver: It’s not my car. I stole it.

Officer: The car is stolen?

Driver: That’s right. But come to think of it, I think I saw the owner’s card in the glove box when I was putting my gun in there.

Officer: There’s a gun in the glove box?

Driver: Yes sir. That’s where I put it after I shot and killed the woman who owns this car and stuffed her in the trunk.

Officer: There’s a BODY in the TRUNK?!?!?

Driver: Yes, sir.

Hearing this, the officer immediately called his captain. The car was quickly surrounded by police, and the captain approached the driver to handle the tense situation:

Captain: Sir, can I see your license?

Driver: Sure. Here it is.

It was valid.

Captain: Who’s car is this?

Driver: It’s mine, officer. Here’s the registration.

Captain: Could you slowly open your glove box so I can see if there’s a gun in it?

Driver: Yes, sir, but there’s no gun in it.

Sure enough, there was nothing in the glove box.

Captain: Would you mind opening your trunk? I was told you said there’s a body in it.

Driver: No problem.

Trunk is opened; no body.

Captain: I don’t understand it. The officer who stopped you said you told him you didn’t have a license, stole the car, had a gun in the glove box, and that there was a dead body in the trunk.

Driver: Yeah, I’ll bet he told you I was speeding, too.

Proof of Racial Healing

"What Senator Obama must realize,

is he is not the agent of racial healing.

He is the product of it."

Rush Limbaugh

I don't think Obama or anyone in his camp gets this. Again, Rush is right.

Disney Blogs/Websites

2719 Hyperion
Animation Backgrounds
Blue Sky Disney
Broke Hoedown
Cartoon Brew
Club 71
Daveland Blog
Disney and More
Disney Books Network
Disney History
Disneyland Nomenclature
Epcot Central
GeoMouse
Ghost Relations Dept.
Gorillas Don't Blog
Grumpy's Hollow
Haunted Mansion - Daveland Web
If We Can Dream It...
Jungle Cruise - Daveland Web
Louminations!
Magical Aperture
Main Street Gazette
Michael Barrier
Minute-By-Minute Guide
Miscellainey
My Disney Blog
My Disney Collection
my life on the WDW d-list
Passamaquoddy
Passport to Dreams Old & New
Photos From the Parks
Pirates of the Caribbean - DavelandWeb
Progress City, USA
Re-Imagineering
Snowy Tundra Trainig
Star Wars Weekends Blog
Stuff From the Park
The Backside of Water
The Disney Blog
The Disney Hub
The Disney Obsession
The Magic In Pixels Photo Blog
The Sacred Tree of the Aracuan Bird
The View From Scopa Towers
Toons at War
Town Square Photography
Tulgey Wood
Vintage Disney Collectibles
Vintage Disneyland Goodies
Vintage Disneyland Tickets
Voyages Extraordinaires
Walt Disneyana World
WED Enterprises
World for One

All About Disney Lens
All Ears Net
Burnsland
Chronology of Disneyland
Chronology of Walt Disney World
Daveland Web
DisFriends
Disney Links
Guide to the Magic
Hidden Mickey's Guide
Magical Aperture
Magical Hotel - Disneyland
Mouse Steps
MousePlanet
My Disney Collection
Reading Trout Books
Started By a Mouse
The E-Ticket
This Day in Disney History
Touring Plans
Walt Disney Family Museum
Walt Disney World: a History in Postcards
Widen Your World

All About the Mouse
MouseGuest Weekly
MouseWorld Radio
Northern Mouse
WDW Radio Show
WDW Today
World for One

Disney World Trivia
Explore the Magic
Inside the Magic
Studios Central
The Magic In Pixels

When Rain Knocks Out Dish Network

http://www.guba.com/all/video/Comedy/British/page1

http://www.hulu.com/

http://television.aol.com/video

http://www.surfthechannel.com/index.php?skin=1

http://www.peekvid.com/showcategorypage.php?id=3

http://www.breitbart.tv/

Uncle Walt Says

I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something

than educate people and hope they were entertained.

Walt Disney

You may not realize it when it happens,

but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

Walt Disney

Tired But Laughing

“Guns don’t kill people, people kill people, and monkeys do too (if they have a gun).”

Eddie Izzard

(Okay, well, it strikes me as funny. But what do I know? I spent the day with first graders and the evening serving "guests" at Mouse Gear.")

My New Motto

"To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child."

Cicero

Disney Tops Them All

As if you needed confirmation, Walt Disney World theme parks and Magic Kingdom in particular seem to get the most visitors in the world.
Here's a list of the top 25 theme parks by attendance in the world:

1 MAGIC KINGDOM at Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 17,060,000
2 DISNEYLAND, Anaheim, CA, USA 14,870,000
3 TOKYO DISNEYLAND, Tokyo, Japan 13,906,000
4 TOKYO DISNEYSEA, Tokyo, Japan 12,413,000
5 DISNEYLAND PARIS, Marne-La-Vallee, France 12,000,000
6 EPCOT at Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 10,930,000
7 DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS at Walt Disney World, Lake Buena V 9,510,000
8 DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM at Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL 9,490,000
9 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN, Osaka, Japan 8,713,000
10 EVERLAND, Kyonggi-Do, South Korea 7,200,000
11 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS at Universal Orlando, Orlando, FL 6,200,000
12 SEAWORLD FLORIDA, Orlando, FL, USA 5,800,000
13 DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE, Anaheim, CA, USA 5,680,000
14 PLEASURE BEACH, Blackpool, UK 5,500,000
15 ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE at Universal Orlando, Orlando, FL, USA 5,430,000
16 OCEAN PARK, Hong Kong, China 4,920,000
17 HAKKEIJIMA SEA PARADISE, Yokohama, Japan * 4,770,000
18 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD, Universal City, CA, USA 4,700,000
19 BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY, Tampa Bay, FL, USA 4,400,000
20 SEAWORLD CALIFORNIA, San Diego, CA, USA 4,260,000
21 HONG KONG DISNEYLAND, Hong Kong, SAR, China 4,150,000
22 TIVOLI GARDENS, Copenhagen, Denmark 4,110,000
23 EUROPA-PARK, Rust, Germany 4,000,000
24 NAGASHIMA SPA LAND, Kuwana, Japan 3,910,000
25 PORT AVENTURA, Salou, Spain 3,700,000

February 11th?

I must be taking a vacation from blogging. It's not because things aren't happening or I'm not finding interesting things to share. I got a new camera for Valentines Day, so I have plenty of photos to post. Things are good at work. I've rejoined Weight Watchers and it's working for me nicely, (about time, eh?) I rescued a new dog from the pound. She's a sweetheart. So? What's the problem? I just haven't felt like blogging. This blog does come and go in spurts. I guess I'm on an "off" spurt.

One Of Those Hmmm Things

I cdnuolt blveiee tahtI cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg.

The phaonmneal pweor of thehmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaerin waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht thefrist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a taotl mses andyou can sitll raed it wouthit a por belm.

Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deosnot raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh?

(Thanks, Vivian!)

Hello! Listen To The News &/Or Read the Newspaper

James Taranto points out:

Just Another Tuesday All the Super Tuesday hype left would-be voters in several states confused:

Milwaukee's WTMJ-AM quotes Ethel Goodwin, who arose early yesterday and tuned in to the station: "We were listening to the news and they were saying that Super Tuesday, and all the state, I figured that included Wisconsin," she said. When she showed up at her local polling place, "there were about six to 10 other people standing outside waiting to go in, also, at 6:30 [a.m.]." Wisconsin's primary actually is Feb. 19.

In Virginia, the Associated Press reports,
"more than 700 callers swamped the State Board of Elections offices, most of them demanding to know why their polling places were closed." That would be because Virginia votes next week.

In Dallas, "the county elections office has received close to 1,000 phone calls from people asking where to vote," reports the Dallas Morning News. "San Antonio officials reported similar calls." Texas votes on March 4.

The election supervisor in Palm Beach County, Fla., received more than 100 calls Monday and Tuesday from people seeking to vote, the Orlando Sentinel reports. Officials in Orange County, Fla., say they heard from people trying to reach Orange County, Calif., where they actually did vote yesterday. Janet Olin, assistant elections supervisor of Leon County, Fla., says she's gotten her share of calls too. "It's funny that they want to argue with us about it," says Olin. "We absolutely have had more than a handful, and they are a handful." Floridians will have to wait until at least 2012 to vote in a presidential primary, since they missed their chance last week.
(Florida, Florida shame on you.)

We wonder if someone will start arguing for a national primary on the ground that the current system "disenfranchises" the easily confused.

Forgive If It's A Repeat

Ave Maria - Chet Atkins. Listen with the volume up.

Shelby Lynne Does The '60's

Uncommon Insight, As Usual

Get your daily Steyn here. Read it all. He is SO on the mark.

Beautiful, Just Beautiful

Abbott and Costello Math

Funny Keeps Keepin' On

Another Amy Song

(Because I had a request for another.)

Amy Winehouse - Monkey Man (I hadn't heard this one before. I think it was the "B" side of another release. Of course, I think it's better than most "A" sides. But I'm partial. As I've said a million times, I wish she'd clean-up her personal life, it would be such a waste if she doesn't.)

This One Caught Me By Surprise

John Kerry Snubs Old Running Mate

Not that I particularly care one way or another who/whom? John Kerry thinks should be the next President, I guess I thought he'd endorse Hillary. Probably ticked-off John Edwards, too. Maybe I'm just surprised he didn't wait until to sign-off on the Democrat nominee.

Kettle Math

The Internet Isn't The Only Way To Travel?

1000 Places To See Before You Die

Oh, That's Why She's Not Blogging

Gingerbread House Disney Magic

Robert D Novak Only Missed Calling It By One

Iowa Caucus Results
Republicans
1st Place: Mike Huckabee
2nd Place: Mitt Romney (Novak got First and Second backwards in his predictions.)
3rd Place: Fred Thompson
4th Place: John McCain

Democrats: (Novak nailed this one.)
1st Place: Barack Obama
2nd Place: John Edwards
3rd Place: Hillary Clinton
4th Place: Bill Richardson

Woo Hoo! It Snowed, But Not In St Cloud

Flurries Reported Along Volusia Coast

Cold weather and strong winds combined to produce ocean-effect snow flurries along the Volusia County coastline on Thursday. Forecasters at the National Weather Service said flurries were reported near Holly Hill and Ormond Beach.

Citrus Crops Escape Serious Freeze Damage

Florida's citrus growers are reporting only minor damage as the state thaws out from a cold snap on Thursday. According to the National Weather Service, temperatures dropped into the 20s across north Florida, including parts of the Panhandle. The lowest temperature recorded was 20 degrees in Cross City, about 90 miles southeast of Tallahassee.
A serious freeze would have been devastating to the state's citrus industry, already struggling from years of diseases and hurricanes. But most citrus growers are based in Central and South Florida, where temperatures hovered in the 30s.

Iowa Stars

January 3:
Iowa caucuses
January 5:
Wyoming caucuses (R)
January 8:

New Hampshire primary
January 15:
Michigan primary
January 19:
Nevada caucuses
South Carolina primary (R)
January 26:
South Carolina primary (D)
January 29:
Florida primary
February 1:
Maine caucuses (R)
February 5:
Super Tuesday
Alabama primary
Alaska caucuses
Am. Samoa caucuses
Arizona primary
Arkansas primary
California primary
Colorado caucuses
Connecticut primary
Delaware primary
Georgia primary
Idaho caucuses (D)
Illinois primary
Kansas caucuses (D)
Minnesota caucuses
Missouri primary
Montana caucuses
New Jersey primary
New Mexico primary (D)
New York primary
North Dakota caucuses
Oklahoma primary
Tennessee primary
Utah primary
W. Virginia convention
February 5-12:
Democrats Abroad
February 9:
Kansas caucuses (R)
Louisiana primary
Nebraska caucuses
Virgin Islands caucuses
Washington caucuses
February 10:
Maine caucuses (D)
February 12:
D.C. primary
Maryland primary
Virginia primary
February 19:
Hawaii caucuses (D)
Washington primary
Wisconsin primary
February 24:
Puerto Rico primary
March 4:
Massachusetts primary
Ohio primary
Rhode Island primary
Texas primary
Vermont primary
March 8:
Wyoming caucuses (D)
March 11:
Mississippi primary
April 22:
Pennsylvania primary
May 3:
Guam caucuses
May 6:
Indiana primary
North Carolina primary
May 13:
Nebraska primary
West Virginia primary
May 17:
Hawaii convention
May 20:
Kentucky primary
Oregon primary
May 27:
Idaho primary (R)
June 3:
Montana primary
New Mexico primary (R)
South Dakota primary
June 28:
Nebraska convention

The Other Limbaugh

From January 1st, 2008, David Limbaugh makes his case against the other GOP candidates and for Fred Thompson. He says "It's time to step up, Fred."

(David nails my concerns with Huckabee, Rudy and McCain. He's mildly supportive of Romney, but finds Thompsons's lack of "fire in the belly" refreshing. I think Thompson (with a few exceptions) doesn't pander; not feeling obligated to say what we want him to say--but I wish he'd get enthusiastic and prove "HE" thinks he can win.)

Coldest Temps In Five Years

Very cold temperatures and brisk winds will produce dangerously low wind chill

readings late tonight through Thursday morning.

Wind chill warning remains in effect until 9 am EST Thursday.

Temperatures in the mid 30s to lower 40s early this evening willfall below freezing across nearly all of east central Florida andwill remain below freezing until shortly after sunrise Thursday.Minimum temperatures will reach the mid to upper 20s across theinterior and Volusia County. Temperatures along the coast fromBrevard County southward will fall to near freezing aroundmidnight then will remain steady or may even rise a few degreesthrough sunrise as clouds begin to move onshore from the Atlanticand act to insulate the atmosphere.

All of Florida, from Miami to the Panhandle, is under a freeze warning Wednesday night, and record lows in the teens and 20s were expected in some areas. At potential risk is a broad variety of plants and produce, from broccoli and cabbage in north Florida to strawberries, tomatoes, corn and citrus toward the south.

It's 10:20pm and still dropping. Updates tomorrow.

Walt Got It Right

“Around here, however, we don’t look backwards for very long. We KEEP MOVING FORWARD, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”
Walt Disney

I Told You She Could Sing

Patricia Routledge (of Hyacinth Bucket fame) - Not On Your Nellie

Old For The New Year

Isao Tomita - Arabesque No.1

Learning A New Language Was Your Resolution

Another Townhall.com Columnist

Why The Left Hates Democracy

"Bush's attempt to introduce democracy to Iraq, and to expand the role of democracy in Egypt, Lebanon and Pakistan, is a brave and noble experiment. It might fail, and past historical experience is not promising. But if Bush succeeds we could see the beginning of an historical transformation no less significant than the transformation of the old Soviet Union.

No wonder the left, not usually given to supplication, is praying very ardently this Christmas season that Bush does not succeed.

If democracy fails, in Iraq and elsewhere, there is the added benefit that Democrats will have a better chance to take the White House in 2008."

Dinesh D'Souza is the Rishwain Fellow at the Hoover Institution

Remembering Ansel Adams

The Tetons and Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

Robert D Novak Predicts Iowa

For the Repulicans the most likely outcome appears to be:

1st Place: Mitt Romney

2nd Place: Mike Huckabee

3rd Place: Fred Thompson

4th Place: John McCain

The Democratic field looks to shake out this way:

1st Place: Barack Obama

2nd Place: John Edwards

3rd Place: Hillary Clinton

4th Place: Bill Richardson

We'll be watching tomorrow to see what happens and check Novak's predictions.

As Brooke and I Were Saying

And the stark fact is that Iowa is not representative of the rest of the country.

With a population of 3 million, Iowa ranks 30th among the states.

The population is 94.9 percent white,

2.3 percent black,

1.4 percent Asian

and 3.7 percent claim Hispanic origin.

Stolen From "The List of the Day"

The Purvis family made several stops along the Oregon Trail to document their six-month journey. This photo was taken just two weeks before the dysentery took Momma to Jesus.

(Brooke made me steal this for Uncle Donnie.)

Winter At Last

No, this isn't Florida. We're getting a cold front, but I don't think we have anything to worry about. Tommy Arner carries a snow shovel in Albany, N.Y., Monday, Dec. 31, 2007. A winter storm dropped 10 inches of snow in the Albany area.(AP Photo/Mike Groll)

Their Parents Must Be So Proud

Men and women bleeding and dying for our right to be this stupid.

From Daddy

A SPECIAL GROCERY LIST

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her an d requested that she leave his store at once. Visualizing the family needs, she said: "Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, since she did not have a charge account at his store.

Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?" Louise replied, "Yes sir." "O.K" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries." Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed.

The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more.

The grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands." The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store.

The other customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said: "It was worth every penny of it .. Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs."

THE POWER OF PRAYER

So dear heart, trust God to heal the sick, provide food for the hungry, clothes and shelter for those that don't have as we do. Amen & Amen

Happy New Year!

Raw Video: A Disney New Year's celebration

Ta-Da! Flora Ridge Elementary School

When we go back to school on Monday, January 7th, we'll be home. The brand new Flora Ridge Elementary is ready for occupancy. We've toured and teachers moved their rooms before Christmas. It'll be so nice to be in one place, all our own.

Shaking Your Head Won't Help

From the Media Research Center:

Quote of the Year

"As violence falls in Iraq, cemetery workers feel the pinch."
- Headline over a McClatchy News Service story by Jay Price and Qasim Zein

All three networks have become more optimistic in their on-ground reporting from the war zone, admitting that the surge in troops and new counterinsurgency tactics have reduced the violence. But as the news from the war front improves, a Media Research Center study finds ABC, CBS and NBC are less likely to tell viewers about it. (Funny, that.)

Disney Cast Member No-Jokie

They weren't kidding about the state of the parks during the week between Christmas and New Years. As a Florida resident and Disney Cast Member, we were always blocked-out for park entrance during the holidays unless we went alone or in groups of Cast Members. Also it was always extremely quiet at DRC during the Christmas holiday. Dwain and I always took our Holiday passes to see the Osborne Family Lights at Disney/MGM as our tradition. We didn't get to do that this year because I wasn't employed when the Holiday passes went-out. So, as I blogged earlier, we did the resorts on the Monorail as our substitute.

Anyway, back to my original topic, other than the one night out we usually did, we stayed away from the parks during the holidays. Not so this year. I only had to work one day last week, Sunday afternoon and evening. Even EPCOT was incredibly crowded and our store was out-of-control. I kid you not. I've never seen that many people in one store.

They rotate us through the checkouts with tasks scheduled regularly to get you off the registers. But even then, it's quite overwhelming. I have certainly gotten my baptism-by-fire by starting back during this time of year. What was I thinking??? (Inserting large grin)

December Sunset

I always like to stop on my way home from work or my way TO work for that matter, to catch a pretty sunset or sunrise. This getting dark stuff at 5:30pm in the evening got real old, real fast.

Christmas in St Cloud

Brooke, Donnie, Sam and Sadie

Just a few pics of the kids and dogs. We had our Christmas on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day we had dinner and visitings with the Hastings and Walther families.

Danielle and Cory

Chrstmas at Disney's Grand Floridian

The lobby at Disney's Grand Floridian. You can see the Gingerbread House, sixteen feet tall. That's a lot of gingerbread.

Cory's pal Kyle was married on Saturday. After the wedding we took a drive out to property to look at the Christmas decorations before they came down for the year. We rode the Monorail around from Disney's Contemporary Resort to Disney's Polynesian Resort and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. I didn't take any pics at the first two resorts. I could have taken hundreds of pics at the GF. It's just a magical place to visit at Christmastime.

The largest of the many Christmas trees in the GF lobby.

Brooke's House Up-Date

Brooke and Donnie's house has a roof! Things are moving right along. More pictures to come.

Goodbye 2007

You know, back when I was a kid, I couldn't imagine living in the 2000 years. I'm mean, I'd be in my FIFTIES! Holy cow. But here I am with my "favorite discoveries of the year 2007." God bless us every one and who knows what 2008 will hold.

1. Pushing Daisies - I've already blogged about my love for this show. Being back home at Thanksgiving and trying to explain it to my family I realized you can't do PDs justice by description. You have to experience it and be open to the fantasy. Otherwise, it's just another quirky show. Of course, I'd probably watch any show that had Kristin Chenoweth in it. The fact that she often bursts into song is just an added bonus.

2. Amy Winehouse - Don't tell me she's a drunk and a drug addict. I know, I know. But have you really LISTENED to her music? Finally an artist I can get excited about. Yes, there were a few before her, but generally, pop music is such a wasteland. It made me sad that there weren't any CD's I wanted , I HAD to have. Heck, I'm not the only one in my demographic that feels totally ignored. Remember, post-baby boomers buy CD's or at least we did when there was something worth listening to. I've tried to share my enthusiasm for all things "Amy" with friends and family, only to lukewarm results. Maybe she is an acquired listen.

3. Kindergarten through 5th Grade - Thank goodness I mustered-up enough courage to finally leave DRC and go back to school. I LOVE my job with the kids. Yes, they are different than we were, different than OUR kids, even. But they are children. Even the rotten ones have their likable moments. I really make an effort to spend time with the kids in the middle. You know what I mean. Teachers and assistants notice the smart ones. Teachers and assistants notice the behavior-challenged ones. Those two groups get the attention they need and then some. It's the little guys that come to school each day and try their best to blend-in that I seek out. The children in the middle never fail to make me smile, make me feel that by helping them through a rough patch, I'm really helping myself. I'm doing something worthwhile. That's a lot for a job to do for a person. I had forgotten.

4. Deadliest Catch/Ice Road Truckers - I would never have thought in a million years that I would stomach either one of these shows for more than a minute or two. But you know what? These dudes are addictive. I have NO idea WHY I LOVE both these programs, but I do. I can't wait until they come back. Drudgery becomes drama with these fellows.

5. Oatmeal - By far, the best breakfast person can enjoy. My affection for bagels remains, but I'd choose oatmeal over a bagel any day I had the time to linger. Gravy and biscuits will hit the spot, as well.

6. Dogs - No surprises here. This has been on my "list" for years, but 2007 gave me new appreciation for visiting doggies. I got so attached to Dixie (the corgi) while Cory and Danielle stayed with us while their house was being completed. I don't know if Dixie is representative of the breed (although on the Internet, I've read that she is) but she is the most affectionate, easy-going companion a person could ever wish for. Don't misunderstand, I love my old Lucy. I love my Sam and Sadie. But I miss little Dixie.

In 2007 I think I was successful in letting the people I love KNOW that they are loved. I hope so.

Firehouse Five Plus Two

Disney's most famous jazz band The Firehouse Five Plus Two playing "Jingle Bells". It's a great clip that features an introduction from Walt and some of Walt's animators as part of the band: Danny Alguire on cornet, Harper Goff on banjo, Ward Kimball on trombone, Clarke Mallery on clarinet, Monte Mountjoy on drums, Ed Penner on tuba and Frank Thomas on piano.

Kristin For Christmas

From the musical "Wicked" Popular - Kristin Chenoweth

Merry Christmas, Viv! (Thanks)

WIN 2 TICKETS ALL EXPENSES PAID INCLUDING AIR FARES TO THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES IN BEIJING, CHINA.

To participate is very easy, just view the attached photo, correctly answer the following questions and send your answers to:International Olympic Committee, Private Bag, Lausanne, Switzerland. (Not really, but this IS rather humorous.)

1. Which student seems to appear tired / sleepy?

2. Which ones are male twins?

3. Which ones are the female twins?

4. How many women are in the group?

5. Which one is the teacher?

Good Luck!

I guess you are not going either.

Laughter For Christmas

God Bless & Keep You Safe

Contributed By Kate

Truth About Car Ads

MUST SELL....before it blows up.

NEEDS SOME BODY WORK ....was blindsided by a Winnebego.

LOOKS LIKE NEW ....just don't try to drive it anywhere.

ALL ORIGINAL ....I never had anything fixed, adjusted, or replaced.

LOADED WITH OPTIONS ....each one more troublesome than the next.

NEVER SMOKED IN ....unfortunately, that's the best thing I can say about it.

PROJECT CAR ....doesn't run.

LOTS OF POTENTIAL....doesn't run.

NEEDS MINOR REPAIR ...doesn't run.

Ya Think?

This is one of the reasons why living in Florida is different from living in other parts of the country. (Well, this and the fact that we're wearing shorts nine days before Christmas---but I digress.

You folks in Oklahoma and other parts of "Tornado Alley" will get a kick out of this. Central Florida, after several deaths and injuries, continues to FINALLY install tornado sirens. I kid you not, this is big news. Okay, I'm 52 years old and I don't remember NOT having tornado sirens in Oklahoma. We all know Florida tornadoes are smaller, relatively speaking, and not nearly as frequent as those in the Midwest--but sirens for any civil defense or safety use is just logical. Woo hoo---what's next? TV dinners? hot rods? hoola hoops and roller skates? (Excuse the sarcasm, it's my sinus meds talking. Not really. LOL)

Radical Antihumanism

Mark Steyn: Children? Not if you love the planet.

(So very, very worth the read.

This man, Steyn consistently NAILS it.)

He says, "By the way, if you're looking for some last-minute stocking stuffers, Oxford University Press has published a book by professor David Benatar of the University of Cape Town called "Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence." The author "argues for the 'anti-natal' view – that it is always wrong to have children … . Anti-natalism also implies that it would be better if humanity became extinct." As does Alan Weisman's "The World Without Us" – which Publishers Weekly hails as "an enthralling tour of the world … anticipating, often poetically, what a planet without us would be like." It's a good thing it "anticipates" it poetically, because, once it happens, there will be no more poetry."

As a Lucianne reader points out, "It started with the liberals hating the U.S.A. Now it has expanded to all of mankind? What a woeful existence they have brought upon themselves."

Christmas Tune for Today

Robert Downey Jr - River
From Ally McBeal

Kate Asked

Amy Winehouse - Love Is A Losing Game
(It is quite haunting, I think.)

Twenty-Six

I'd love to recreate the photo of Aonica and Brooke in our backyard in Mustang when they were two. For now, this will do. Thanksgiving at Grandma Patty and Grandpa Bill's house.

Dana Did What Tony Refrained From Doing

Long-time White House correspondent Helen Thomas often asks questions attacking the Iraq war during on-camera briefings. White House press secretary Dana Perino usually deflects the question and moves on, but Friday, Mrs. Perino took exception. (It's about time SOMEONE took exception with this harpy.)

It must be a terrible thing to hate the country you've adopted as home and where you've chosen to make a living for decades. Helen Thomas is long past her sell-by date.

One More For Today

Dolly Parton - Hard Candy Christmas
(Not really a Christmas song, but it only gets played at Christmas.)

You Know You Think Of The House On YouTube

Trans Siberian Orchestra - Wizards In Winter

Best Version Ever (Bing Is Second)

The Drifters Featuring Clyde McPhatter - White Christmas

Christmas Can't Be Far Away

Vince Guaraldi - Linus and Lucy

Makes Me Grin

Chuck Berry - Run, Run Rudolph

For Now

Brooke and Donnie's house has footers (framing, whatever you call it) for the foundation. I think they are hoping the slab gets poured this week. Yes, I have pics, but you know how that goes.

Cory and Danielle's house is within days of occupancy. Again, tons of pics, but I'll get to that tomorrow, Scarlett. Today they are on a cleaning marathon.

I knew I wouldn't post a Christmas song a day until Christmas. Life gets in the way.

I'm a Cast Member again. They even sent me to their introductory course yesterday. It's called Traditions. I was only supposed to be scheduled for that if I'd been away from the mother planet for six months or more. But I didn't complain about the eight hours on the clock on my sizable behind.

I'll be working part time at EPCOT at Mouse Gear. WOO HOO!! I got my ID back and my Main Gate pass will follow in a week or so!! Yes, doing it for the perks. I missed the parks.

I'm the new Detention Officer at our school? Me? I SERIOUSLY lack discipline. I guess they see something in me I don't see.

Kids are everything that is the best and worst in us. I like that they are a work in progress.