cat butt squirrel butt’s Neighborhood

My new favorite t-shirt.

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The beer is DadH's, a thoughtful gift from Brother Ray. I thought it went well with my MSU snuggie. The Girls thought the remote would be a nice touch for the photo.

Now the Girls are trying to ride the unicycle from MomH. They should pick a different spot instead of next to the kitchen table and in front of the stairs to the basement.

I'll upload a photo of head wounds later. Ha ha!

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Hi everybody!

The internet connection on my parents' dial-up is spotty at best. I tried to catch up with the hood today and couldn't download pics or even comment. Heck, it wouldn't even let me create a post. For some reason, I couldn't type anything in the text box. Huh.

So I'm standing next to a window to try and catch small rays of AT&T service. I guess it's all Verizon out here.

Update: the baby in the basement didn't make it. She passed on last week, but not for lack of trying.

Last night I played Wii fit with my nieces. The first time around, with help on the balancing test from Steve's big stupid happy dog, I scored a Wii fit age of 48. Unassisted, I scored a 35. W00t!

I wish all of you a joyous holiday season. I am so thankful to be a part of this warm and loving network of caring people. You have made my life richer by your wisdom, humor and sincerity. Or just straight up goofiness. :-)

Be kind to one another and especially to yourselves.
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I swear I will. In the meantime, again, there's presents to you all from me and Edgar. And now here are two of my favourite Christmas songs/versions. Now it's off to Mom's. Later, kids.

Holy crap it's cold outside. I'm not leaving the house again until I go to the airport on Sunday if this cold weather business keeps up.

I did go out and say hi to the cows so that's all taken care of. Checked that off the list.

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This is what counts as excitement around here. I'm enjoying the quiet life.

DadH is (mis)reading the warning verbiage on his latest medication out loud. So far he has to be worried about "fatal irritation".

No, on second look that's "facial irritation".

On the long list of side effects: "Well that's nice to know".

"Oh, look. There's bigger print on this side."

"I tell you what Susie (my mom), I'm not gonna use this goddamn stuff."

Never have medicinal instruction pamphlets been so entertaining.

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Final tally from my office holiday drives: For the Ottawa Food Bank - over 350 pounds of food and $225. For the SPCA of Western Quebec (who helped out with that big husky rescue in the Laurentians last month): $85 plus assorted leashes, collars, treats, toys, and food.

I thought our poundage was more than that, based on last year's reported 480 pounds, but hey, I can only assume they give me the right numbers.

For every dollar donated to the Food Bank, it counts as five dollars in distribution, FYI. Money-wise, we only had $20 last year, so I would say we did about the same overall.

For the SPCA, we had more stuff last year, but no money, so I think we came out ahead, and they were thrilled with everything.

Here's the bit from last night:

Niece #2: "Hey Aunt Amy, you're rich, aren't you?"

Me: "No, I'm not rich."

Niece #2: "Yes you are. You have more money than we do."

Niece #1: "That's because she doesn't have three kids."

Niece #2: "Or a husband."

Niece #1: "Yeah, if Mom didn't have three kids or a husband, she'd be rich, too."

Ha ha! I just told MomH. She had a good laugh.

I haven't made it outside yet today. Yay, Lazy Me! DadH and I watched the Sportsmanship Awards earlier today and gosh darn it, I got all weepy. Too many times we just hear the bad things in sports and not all the good things that happen.

Other random things so far:

- The non-Northwest/Delta terminal in Detroit is brand new. Thank heavens. The old one was worse than a bus station. However you will still have to wait a long time for your bags. Because of this, there is now a bar in baggage claim. (Okay, I don't know if that's why but it makes sense to me.)

- BFF Kelly and I stopped yesterday at a Michigan winery on the way back to the farm. Proceeds from some of the wines go to local charities. Being a philanthropic sort, I bought a case of assorted wines. I told my parents that I was supporting the local economy and local farmers. DadH said "You'll have to drink a lot more than that." See how supportive his of my drinking habit?

- Michigan doesn't have great red wines, but the white wines are yummy (<-- that's official wine lingo, methinks).

That's as exciting as things are so far. Hope everyone is doing well. I'll need to check in with you all later because this is on dial-up and there's a clamoring for the phone lines to be open.

Catch ya later!

These are cropped screen shots, so the links are below each pic. It's the least Edgar and I can do to thank you all for being there throughout the year. Happy Holidays, and all that jazz, my friends.

Kitty card

For more, see here.

Puppy card

For more, see here.