Christmas, That's a Wrap.

Here is my dear, SHusband, my Angel indeed!

I promise this will be my last Christmas post, but I just wanted to show you a few pictures. Unfortunately, this was an extremely difficult time to "get through" for the first Christmas without Matka. I do not know how the next missing-her-event will be, but, this was a big challenge, and there are no passing or failing marks, we each do what we can, in whatever why we can.

As I was looking through my Christmas 2010 folder, I see that I did not take as many pictures as usual. I apologize for not taking pictures of some wonderful get-togethers with cherished family and friends, and I did not record every single thing that happened, or photos of some wonderful, thoughtful gifts which we received, please forgive me if a photo of your present to us is not here, but this will give you some idea eh?

So listen, This is the most unique Christmas Present. My SFriend received it from her friend. The outside is felted-which I think means made of yarn-like knitted, then washed so that the yarn puckers up. Remember how wool items turned out by mistake when you put them in the washer-well, this was done on purpose, and isn't it a lovely purse? Then, you open it up:

And this is why it is unique! It is lined with the top part of a pair of jeans!!!

SS#1, don't you love this creativity?

Pockets and zippers all work. Don't you love it?

Did I already post this? This is the K ladies lunch bunch. We are a very diverse group in all ways, and just as close as you can get. We have lunch about once a month, and this month we are attending a talk about Angels at the Shriners
Building after we have lunch. The pretty lady in the center-back row received the purse gift.

This is SDaughter and her first cousin once removed! SSister#1's SGranddaughter-she has lovely red hair just like her Grandma.

This is the same sweetie pie with SHusband. And that folks is where I stopped taking pictures that day????

Below is SSon receiving his big gift from his 4 parents-a new Sabres AUTHENTIC Jersey, with his SSister sitting to the right in the picture and her SSig-Other on the left.

Really, SH is not asleep-I just took it at the wrong time. He is holding his present from SS and SD and her family. It is an official copy of the ship's manifest from when his father came over from Germany. It was purchased from the Ellis Island website.

This is a hat that SGrandson bought for his Poppy, we all loved it! The hair in the hat is the best part.

This is SGS opening a Bakugan thingy that was on his list and that I was lucky enough to find/buy in early November.

This is SS's exchange present from a fun game that we play-it was three containers of CHEESE balls, wrapped together, that looked like some big tube of whatever-they were a hot item to fight for.

This is a beautiful bracelet that SSon bought me, with the help of his personal shopper: SS#1, who takes him for shopping and lunch EVERY YEAR TO THE GALLERIA MALL! And coffee and ICE CREAM! What a pair they are.

Since I hate mall shopping or looking or lurking, he was blessed to have her in his life-for many reasons.

This is Christmas Morning, gift opening for SS. Notice his stocking? I put an orange in every year, just like Matka did for us-when we were kids and oranges were priced like gold!

One of his Christmas list items that he really wanted, "Forty Years of Buffalo Sabres". Boo Boo Marie the SCat sulking in the background on the couch-no present for her and the birds are not out there eating.(*(&*&, bah meowhumbug!

He loves his funny drawers!

So, in prep for him receiving this warm Sabres hat, I explained to him that the warm hats are now made out of special yarn so that they are not itchy in the inside-his big objection to warm hats. We shall see if I ever see him in it.

Here is is just chillin' on Christmas morn.

This is a Christmas reading from SAunt last year-I hope if you click on it that it becomes readable-it is very nice.Can you see what appeared during the New Year's Meltdown that we had? Look carefully now-there is a wee small pumpkin stem peaking out of the snow. It is from one of two that did not get thrown into our woods across the street for the little creatures to eat. It is there now, thanks to SS and a shovel, but in the form of pumpkin soup.

This is another Christmas reading that I like-was this also from you SA?SS delivering our Christmas gift for our Church's collection-we bought for a 10 year old girl, and I loved every minute of it. PINK! PINK! PURPLE! PURPLE!!

SS#1 gave me this on Thanksgiving Day-because she knows how soon I pack it all away, this way I would have it around for a time. It is a beautiful Father Christmas compote (is that correct?) I had some Christmas Ball decorations covered with feathers and I thought the contrast in texture would be nice. It also held our cards. And we received so many beautiful photo-cards from family and friends-thank you all. They mean a lot to me.

This is in homage to SH's love of penguins, and we received two for SSIL (aka Grandma Ellie)

This was made by SD in Girl Scouts-egg cartoons stapled together, a little red sparkly glued in the center of each section, and green stuff stapled all around. It would not be Christmas if I did not have this up, along with a Santa mobile that you can see in the first picture of this blog-hanging on a lamp behind SH. It was made by SS in Kindergarten. And these two items mean so much to me.

So, there it is a last look at Christmas for us.

Now, on to today, I wish you all a Happy, Blessed New Year with good health and good family and friends. What more is there?

A stich for all time.

When I was a child, my maternal Grandma, SGrandma Viviani lived with us for many years. I can remember that she sewed buttons on and did hems and other sewing repairs-but most times one of us ankle-biters would be around and would thread the needle for her. She was not a skilled seamstress, but got the job done. My two SSisters are wonderfully skilled seamstresses, and very generous with the items which they make. Me, not so much.

My SAunt is also a very good sewer-my Matka, her sister-not so much. Matka could crochet like the wind, and she also shared so many afghans, sweater sets, and a bizillion scarves with all. No offense Mom, but I think you and I could not sew a straight seam for nothing.

I also remember SGV embroidering pillowcases. You would buy the pillowcases prestamped with a design, and all the stitches were "X", in different colors of embroidery thread, all blended in to make a pretty design, and then the edge of the pillowcase was finished with a crochet stitch. I did some crewel embroidery during one of my former lives, so I know you use a hoop or a stretcher when you embroider, but I can't remember her using one??? Maybe I was just not paying attention to the details.

About 1969, as both Matka and I were entering into marriages, and things were dispersed, I ended up with 2 pillowcases that SGV made. I never used them, that would be sacra-religious or something. I cherished SGV so much, that I did not want to destroy something that she touched. So, I have hand washed these things many times and keep moving them from home to home, and placing them at the bottom of my stack of pillowcases-so that they are never used by mistake. The other day, when pulling out pillowcases-and I use double pillowcases on each of the four pillows on our bed, so, I always grab a big bunch, I noticed these lovely pillowcases from SGV and pulled them out to look at them.

And I made a choice-I would use them. Now, don't be shocked at my wanton lack of good judgement. It is not that I suddenly devalued them, it was just that they were made to be used. So, I put one under the sheet-matching pillowcase on my main, favorite pillow that I lay my head on every night. Last night, I could feel the ridges of the embroidery through the covering pillowcase, and I thanked SGV for making them and SMatka for giving them to me. And I had sweet dreams-all night long. The end.

Meet the flockers...

Today, SHusband and I were in the car, and watching a flock of blackbirds swarming through the sky. It was amazing-SH said they numbered about 1,000! Then, all of a sudden, they decided to land-they picked one house and all the yards associated with it.

You can see some black spots near the house on the grass? (That is the most bassackwards sentence which I have ever written!) Those are SOME of the birds.

They were pecking at the ground, some of which was covered with snow, and probably very cold. The ones on the roof were just hangin' for a bit.

SH said that after the babies are born in the fall, they all flock together, they don't migrate, or very little, and they count on each other to stay warm-kinda like the Buffalo Bills fans at a game in the great outdoor stadium-except of course if many fans are disgusted by the team's performance-body warmers are sparse-you are on your own. That is what SNiece told me.

So, the next time you see a flock of birds-wonder:how did they manage to pick a leader to tell them when to swarm right or left or do a loop-de-loop, RIGHT NOW! LOOK OUT BELOW!

What Happened to baby Jesus?

OK, my name is Boo Boo Marie, and I am hijacking this blog. I got me some meowcomplaints.

First of all, I looked and looked, and there were no presents for me-

meow &*&^&^meow!

Yes, I got that lovely catnip infused thing, but really once you have slobbered all over it-it is kinda yucky to be playing with again-Know what I meowmean?

They work me hard here-counting the birds at the feeders outside

and keeping the birdies inside awake!

Washing the kid's face takes a long meowtime! But I love him, so, you know, it is fun for both of us.

This nice guy gives me rides whenever I want them.

And when I am tired, I can always snag a meowride.

Yeah, meowyeah, we have fun-but how long can you play dominoes?

I meowmean, a cat needs its meowrest! I found the perfect spot a few weeks ago, right up against this little flock of people with little baby Jesus on the big table-the one that doesn't usually have food on it, so these guys let me hang out up there-good views of coming and goings, heat from the flat clacky on the table thing that the nice man uses-it does beep and say "Welcome to e-bay" a lot though-that gets on my last meownerve!

I digress, I so meowloved parking my little coulou up against him, that baby Jesus-kinda felt meowsafe there, like he was protecting me.

Then, yesterday SHE comes along and starts puttin' all kinda stuff on the table-but you know what? It seemed even more meowcozy to be nestled in with all those things-so many were red and green.

I hid for hours, and no one tried to meowshoo me away. AAAh, meowbliss.
Then, the decree from her this morning: "We are putting away the rest of the Christmas stuff today".

What? Wait, I'm meowsleeping here, go do something else-eat a few cookies or put on some of that nice soft meowmusic I like-just leave all MY stuff here!

I lost!

Where did it all meowgo Where is my little buddy?

What is a kitty to do?Woe is me.

Well, at least he is still here, my favorite meowpillow. AAAh. See yah next year little one, maybe it is not so bad here after meowall.

Sabres, Starbucks and Sucky art

Today SSon and I went to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo to see a special exhibit celebrating 40 years of the Buffalo Sabres Hockey Team.

It was mostly large photos from the beginning of the team to current players. He loved it. They had one room called 360 (meaning degrees). They had placed small cameras on the player's helmets to record the action on the ice during a game. They then showed these -multiple at times-videos on a very large screen with full audio. Holy earmuffs batman, it was loud and the players moved so fast, it was like a carnival ride. I kinda side-stepped out, and proud I was that I did not barf!
Here he is watching it.

The gallery got a lot of bad press in the past few years when people like me did not approve of the direction that they are taking the museum-modern art (note lack of capital in art-you can tell I think it is mis-categorized) was being more spotlighted, with masters put into cold storage-or heaven forbid-sold!.

They have a very large open stairwell there, and in the past few months, they "installed" a work that entailed scribbles in circles done by many people according to a master plan by the artist-in a variety of densities, so some areas were dark and some showed the wall through. Are you kidding me?

Here is the start of the stairwell, and then a close-up so you can get a good view and make up your own mind.

Out front of the gallery, they also have a cheese curl looking thing-about 4' tall by 10' long. Yep, right in front of the art gallery-just to give you a little taste (pun intended) of what awaits you inside.

The only big variety of what I call classical ART was for sale in the form of note cards in the gift shop-how sad.

I know, I know, everyone has their own taste in Art, but this is my blog, so you get to hear my opinion-right or wrong.

When we were done there, we drove through Delaware Park, some lovely statues are placed there-including a replica of the famous statue of David-here is a photo of another replica of that statue-I took this picture in Florence, Italy, where there are many versions of "David" Statues.

We next stopped at Starbucks. I knew there would be a long line at the Delta Sonic car wash, but wanted to go anyway, so this bribe was just to keep SS from getting antsy. A little bit of a peppermint mocha coffee goes a long way for appeasing him. Here he is in his new Sabres hat.

When we got home, he did a little shoveling to clean-up the driveway (probably caffeine fueled), and then RODE HIS BIKE!.

Yep, it was 51 degrees,

and how often can he ride his bike on New Years Eve in Western New York?

Later, we went out for supper. We are so wild with our NY's Eve Soiree, I had salad and mac'n cheese, SHusband had soup and half of my salad and a big glob of my mac and cheese and SS had a fish fry. We do not take him often for a fish fry, not even every month-that meal has the lovely name of "Heart Attack on a plate", and for good reason, probably the most unhealthy meal in WNY.

Tonight, for some reason, I thought I wanted to wash my kitchen floor, so I did-I had changed the sheets and cleaned the bathroom today-I must have a "Clean-start" for the New Year mindset?

My mentor said recently that 2010 was shi**y. I agree, and I hope we all have a Blessed, healthy 2011. I am going to really try.

Family Travels

We have had very mild weather here for about a week. No appreciable snow, temps in mid to high 20's-we will take it! Makes traveling better.

Yesterday, we (SHusband, SSon and I) visited SSister#1, SB-I-L#1. What a nice fun time. Her SDaughter and two of her SGrandkids were there and so were my SDaughter and SGrandson. When the boys get together, they talk game-techno talk together, and her SGD stayed upstairs with us. She is 10 and so funny, I am sure she gets it from her Mom. SD got to visit with her cousin, and that is always nice. Great visit for all of us, we loaded up the car with cookies to go home, took SGS with us, and I managed to back out of their driveway without running over their reflector stake-this time.

Last night was just a quiet night with SGS, he playing with his bakugan, and fell asleep in minutes.

Today, SS, SGS and I went to see

"Gulliver's Travels" at the movies. SH stayed home for some R&R.

I am amazed at the cost of a matinee ticket $7.00! When I see a family of 6 walking in, with popcorn in each of their hands. that comes to over $50.-for a 90 minute movie. Wow, that hurts.

Before the movie, we had gone to get SGS's glasses adjusted, SS got a Starbucks, and both guys had haircuts, I was worried that my quest for efficiency would be uncomfortable for them with itchy hair on their neck during the show-but they both were fine-they must have done a good job with that piece of stuff they put around your neck to trap the hair from going down their necks. I have had the misfortune of taking them places before when that was not the case, and jeez, they had ants in their pants the whole time until they got a shower to get the dreaded itch-maker hair OFF!

After a great time with Mr. Gulliver (which by the way was set in modern times, and enjoyable for all the inside jokes that the adults would appreciate and the great song "WAR, what is it good for!" from 1970 at the end, by Edwin Starr) we went for something to eat.

In memory of Matka, we went to Pizza Hut for Lupper (lunch and supper or would it be Sunch?). Last year for Christmas, she gave her grandchildren a Pizza Hut Gift card for Christmas, so they could take her beloved great-grandkids there. So, starting this year, this is my new tradition to remind me of her generosity and love for her family.

Tomorrow we will have Christmas Breakfast with SH's SSister, SB-I-L and our two SCousins. SS is already asking if we can stop for coffee on the way-no he is not addicted, just a slight problem. I gave him the look, and he laughed.

I made some granola bars for tomorrow, and the smell is wonderful-honey is the base for the bar, and when it is heated it just slides through the house, it even overpowers the smell of Fancy Fest which I just gave to Boo Boo Marie-she gets only 1/2 tsp per day per Vet's orders.

I hope you are able to visit those you love, even if it is on the phone, via e-mail or on FaceBook!

Puffy Eggnog Pancake

Puffy what?

Well, Do you know that I love to read recipes? I read cookbooks like a novel sometimes-no intent on making all the recipes, just find the ingredient mixtures interesting.

In the paper this week was an article about brunch recipes, and I saw this one:

Tonight, because we only have EGGNOG in the 'fridge during the Christmas Season-I made this for supper. In my mind, EGGNOG is (say it with me: three words) DIS-GUS-TING. SSon loves it. And I know, it is against some peoples religion and or political affiliation to eat breakfast food at supper-but not us!

The recipe turned out really well, and I only changed it a smidge-I sprinkled cinnamon on it before baking, and as soon as I sprinkled, I realized that it should have been nutmeg-isn't that what they put in EGGNOG when they drink it? Too late.

It turned out very nice-puffed as advertised. See:

Blurriness caused by me being in such a garl-darned hurry to take a picture before it collapsed!

I served it with fresh pineapple that I just cut and sliced bananas (we call them baanoonskees-I know weird is our strong suit). SS also had some yogurt for supper, I think that on the side with the fruit piled on top would have been nice on each plate also-next time.

SHusband and SS loved them, the sure sign is when the empty pan is scraped with a spoon and a spatula for every last crumb.

I myself, do not like eggs, when I made the recipe-I put all the other stuff in the blender first to hide the eggs as they slithered down into the blender. And I do this while I unfocus my eyes, you know, slightly crossing them so that they do not see sharply.

I was OK with eating this too-even though it has a strong egg taste-UNTIL. Well, until we were playing our usual game of "name 5 ingredients that I used in this dish". The guys seen to enjoy this game, and I get some very creative answers. There were only 5 ingredients if you don't count my "gilding-the-lily" cinnamon. And when I started to think about all those eggs while I was chewing a piece, I did a little gagging thing, and that was it-could not swallow. The thrill is gone for this dish for me, but I know it will be enjoyed by others whenever I make it. I think you could use some regular milk and vanilla flavoring if you don't have eggnog, and I think you could also use that slimey egg substitute stuff also. I would spray the pan the next time though, stuck a bit I thought.

So, there it is, a new recipe from the paper to me to you. Hope you like it.

And "me for my part"*, if the guys like it, it will be made.

*a phrase that my Grandma V. would use to express her opinion on something, SSister#1 reminded us of that this year, and Matka would laugh when SS#1 said it. Matka loved to laugh, and that is one of my special memories of her today.

MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

Agent:

SHusband

Assignment, should you decide to accept it:

Read "Popular Astronomy" by Simon Newcomb, published 1877 while nestling SCat on chest.

Results: Assignment Completed

REALLY?

Today, I was driving down Transit Road, which is a major north-south road in Western New York. Every few feet there is another store driveway and another stop and start driving experience. As traffic stopped, I stopped, and happened to look over to my left-a woman in her late seventies-or looking like she was-all made up, nice hairdo, nice vehicle, clearly mouthed the words " F--- You" at me, and slammed her hands down on her steering wheel. She then zoomed-off in her car. Apparently, she wanted to turn into the driveway that I happened to be blocking the front half of. When I go to this store, I never try to get in via that driveway-oncoming traffic is just too fierce. I choose to instead make a left turn with the arrow on the block previous and go in the back entrance. There is usually not a place to stop on this road that is not partially in a driveway. If I would have seen her, and that she was waiting to turn in, I would have as usual, if able, left her room to turn, but that is not the case always.
I am not a shrinking violet, I have been known to be very worldly/wordy, and familiar with swear words in a couple of languages, using them sometimes at traffic, not at people. But REALLY, I would not have done that, and I was surprised that she did. I took it as personal attack, and really, newly more thin-skinned as I am now, I was upset by it. All I could think of is my gosh, she is so full of rage, and at her age, shouldn't she have sorted out which are the right times to vomit out things like that? I know I have, and I am probably 10 years younger. And then I thought what it must be like to live with someone like that, and what a risk she plays with working herself up to that level at a missed driving desire. I wondered what is going on in her life that she was so on the edge of her emotions, manifesting itself in inappropriate behavior. I actually said a prayer for her because the last thing that should happen is for her to have a stroke over something so inconsequential. Life is short.

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

Even the birdies are celebrating:

SGrandson is coming over this weekend!!!!

Christmas Spirit

SSon and his SFather (wearing Santa hats in the back row) delivering gifts to patients at the VA Medical Center in Buffalo. They are members of the Buffalo Bills Booster Club.

The kindness of strangers...

Last night, I was driving SSon home from the WINNING Buffalo Bills football game, in the dark, traveling on one of the side roads in my small town. A driver coming towards me was flashing his bright headlights, and since I just turned mine off, I assumed that was the reason he was "flashing". Then I saw him repeat the flash, and the reason was:

art: WINTER VISITORS by D.R. Laird

As this painting shows, deer travel in herds, see one, most times more will follow, and this could have been painted right in my town-the deer love living here side-by-side with us.

A herd of about 6 deer crossed the road just in front of me. Apparently he could see them, and wanted me to be sure to see them. I slowed down, let them go on their way, and all was well-for man and beast, because of the kindness of strangers. I flashed him back after they crossed safely as a way to say thank you. Has a stranger showed you kindness today?

Comfort from Matka

So, I know I am not the only one in the world to lose their mother. I get it. But, you may not know that Matka raised us alone-all 5 kids. We lost any parent we had all at once and she was good enough all by herself. This is so affecting the five of us.

I am such a strong person, why can't I get through this? Last night was a great night for SSon, I drove him to his annual work Christmas Party in downtown Buffalo. We got to see some pretty lights downtown, he was super-hyped about the party, he looked really handsome.

When I went to pick him up, I was upset to see some group home support staff chatting to each other with those that they were responsible for just tagging along behind them-fending for themselves-these are people with a variety of handicaps, along with their mental challenges. Some had poor choices of clothing on for the weather, some were just trying their best to keep up with those in front, and since some have agility issues, they were stumbling a bit-unseen by those who were there to take care of them, not being cared for. There were a few groups where the staff were engaging with their charges, that made me feel better. There were some private drivers like me picking up their family or friends. All I could think of is that when it is time for my guy to go to a group home, when it is better because of my age that he get settled into the next phase of his life, I was wondering how I could protect him from being one of those left to flounder. The answer is I can't. As much research as I know I will do, staffing in every workplace includes the great and the not so great. I know that a group home is the only answer for him. He has a loving sister, but he belongs in a situation with others his own age and abilities. I must accept this reality.

Then my guy comes out the door-smiling bright enough to melt the snow. He had a wonderful time, a little Christmas stuffed animal gift in his pocket to show me. A belly full of pizza, and a long list of the songs that were played-and not played. He went on to mention the two times when he didn't attend his work dance in about 20 years-one when he twisted his ankle and was on crutches and last year when a storm came through making travel there impossible. He has a great memory.

I dropped him off at his father and stepmothers home-he has tickets to a hockey game in Buffalo that they will be driving him to and back tonight, and also a football ticket on Sunday with his father-so he will be gone and well cared for this weekend-we all, including the cat will miss him!

So, now you know where I am mentally, driving home at 10pm, worried about SSon's future, tired from a long day, missing my SHusband whom I only saw a few hours that day, and missing Matka. I am playing Josh Groban's "Awake", my go-to CD in the car when talk radio has no allure for me. You know what is next. The tears start and really get out of control. So I tell Matka that she really needs to help me get through this Christmas season. And within SECONDS the next song that Josh sings is called Lullaby, and the first few verses are "Hush now baby, don't you cry. Rest your wings my butterfly. Peace will come to you in time.... Although I must leave my child.............".

Thank you Matka, from all us 5 kids.

I need to........

I need to..................get a grip.

I am not sleeping................ I am crying.

I am happy one minute........................and overwhelmingly sad the next.

I am trying my best to get through the holidays................. without looking like a cry baby.

I am trying my best to remember all the good stuff about Matka........... I can not see past the heartbreak of missing her.

It is not working.

If this is handling grief...................... I fail.

Here she is doing what she loved best-visiting a sweet baby, a great-grandson. This little guy is 7 years old now. Lucky him to have had her in his life.

Cute Card

This is a card that our SFriend sent-a little smile just looking at them.

Heart Ornament for the Heart

Thank you SFriend for being so thoughtful.

Good news~!

Yes, that is anti-bacterial soap they are soaking in, and I did the case also.

Hello Winter

Winter dropped by this morning, and it looks like for an extended stay. I needed to drive to downtown Buffalo this morning to pick up SSon and our poinsettia order. His Workshop sells them as a fundraiser, and since he can not bring a large box on the van, we always pick them and him up. As the weather started to get very nasty this morning, I called and arranged to pick them up two hours earlier than scheduled. It really was one of those white-knuckle drives, very slow, and limited visibility. Once I got to Transit Road, about a 15 minute drive usually, but today it was about 35 minutes, the snow turned to sleet, the streets were only wet, not snow covered. By the time I drove to SS's work, it was a little drizzle. His caseworker must have thought I was acting like chicken little when I said I wanted to come pick him up early due to bad weather. I am always thinking "what do people think of me?". That is a sign of my insecurities I guess.
This is driving home around noon. It is beautiful. I was going about 15mph with my 4 wheel drive on. We saw two cars in the same ditches that I was hoping not to end up in.

SS took this picture above.

This is our beautiful Plum Bush with decorations by God.

A view of our burning bush, and a nice snow hat on one of our rocks.

SS carrying in a box of poinsettias. He is wearing a Buffalo Sabres jacket that SBrother #2 just gave him. He really loves it.

Instead of our usual lunch date when we bring home the poinsettias and finish delivering them (not to my Matka this year...........), we stopped for takeout at Tim Horton's. Of course, by the time we got home, the hot coffee wasn't.

So please enjoy the beauty of the snow, from your window if possible. If you are driving, as I say to my kids, "There is only one of you, please be careful."