My Last Quarter in Pictures for Almost Wordless Wednesday

The madness started at the same time as "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1" hit the theaters.



It started to build to a crescendo with both of the boys performing in December recitals.



We hit the road south to visit The Hotel Del Coronado decorated for the holidays.

The boys like to adopt this superhero recruiting pose for photos. The big Santa doll seems unimpressed.

Several weeks ago saw us at Universal Citywalk for our youngest son's birthday party.

The boys and a few friends went indoor parachuting at IFLYHollywood.

The oldest was a natural.

All the boys loved it.

We weren't the only ones out enjoying the beautiful weather, Stephen Hawking was also there that day.



How about you? Any wizards or scientists cross your path recently? Thank you so much.

San Diego Silliness for Almost Wordless Wednesday

Expert grammarians, please advise. I think this sign for the male restroom is incorrect, that it should read, "Gents".

Sign from the botanical gardens in Balboa Park, San Diego, California.

The teens proudly display their new pet, a giant beetle. I hope the cat doesn't mind sharing her litter box.

Snow Kidding in Los Angeles

We knew something was up last weekend when the 12 y/o asked, "Why can I see the rain?"

That's snow up in them thar Santa Monica Mountains.






The snow made the backyard look like it had been sprinkled with fairy dust.

Happy Twenty-Eleven to you and yours. Thanks for the visit.

Holiday Remnants

Some vignettes from my last two weeks include-

Two recitals and a Winter Concert for the boys, including the oldest singing "The Christmas Song", Adam Sandler's "Hanukah Song", and the "Carol of The Bells". A highlight for our son in preparing for his winter concert, was when the Choir Director told the "Basses, hold onto your Dongs". I think the Show Choir guys have started a FB paged named that now.

I was out and about doing errands, and in a truck filled with boxes and presents, was a portly gentleman with a gray beard, trying to exit a parking lot onto the road, and of course, I had to let him in, because he Looked just like Santa Claus. And, Mrs.Claus was sitting right next to him!

I was feeling behind my Christmas preparations until I saw car yesterday at the grocery store that had a Christmas tree strapped to the top. We are doing just fine on our holiday preparations.

The holidays are different this year, we really scaled back the decorations because of the unrelenting rain in SoCal, we are visiting my parents this weekend instead of them coming here, and our youngest is going through puberty, and grappling with the St.Nick conspiracy after almost 13 years.

We tell him, if you don't believe, you don't recieve.

May your days be Merry and Bright, and thank you for the Gift of YOU!! Martha

Wordful Wednesdays - More Grumpy Old Ladies

I'm up to here --- with grumpy old ladies like the Devil with the Blue Hair who was taking up two seats at the crowded movie theater, and acted So PUT Out when I asked her very politely to please move her bags and detritus, so my husband and I could actually sit together.
Well, I wasn't quite so polite when I told her that if she didn't want to sit next to people, maybe she should have waited until the movie came out on DVD, and then she could watch it in the comfort of her home. All by herself.

Another grump was the Devil in the Red Sweater who was walking her dog on the soccer fields despite the many signs reading "No Pets Allowed". When I politely told her that dogs were not permitted, she told me that I didn't have permission to be there at my son's practice.

She started to tell me how nasty I was, (ah if she only knew), but she soon got a clue at how Jersey I could be, when I said to her, "It's all about you, isn't it? You don't care about the rules, the rules don't apply to you!" Her husband got her under control and led her off the field and tried to give me the "hand". Doesn't work, pal, you got the leash on the wrong bi+ch.

I am also up to here --- with grumpy patients who don't want to take responsibility or solve their problems. I can't care more about their problems than they do, that's for sure and a lesson I learn daily.


And how was your week?

Got Gratitude?

Today is Thanksgiving in the U.S., the former start of the holiday shopping season. (The holiday shopping season now starts back in September, when the back to school sales are over.)

So, in the spirit of Thankfullness, (Or is it Thankfulness? No, that's not right.), so in the spirit of Gratitude, (a much more manageable word if ever there was one), here's my list of the "good stuff".

I am thankful for -

My husband and sons who make me laugh.

My health and well being. Ex Deus Machina.

My parents and siblings who taught me self reliance and don't me drive me too crazy.

My teen and young adult nieces and nephews who actually listen and laugh at my jokes.

My friends, both near and far, virtual, and up close and personal. You are a gift.

My nursing career and the skills to help patients and families help themselves.

My pets who think I am the center of the Universe, well, because to them, I am.

To the Mayans or Aztecs or whoever invented Chocolate.

The roof over my head, the food in our pantry, and the extraordinary abundance of the everyday.

So to you and yours, Thank you today and everyday.

Humorless Old Ladies, Related and Not

I've had two recent encounters with humorless old ladies, one related, one not, that has left me determined to, never, ever, ever, lose my sense of fun, or ability to laugh, joke, or even break into a smile.

My first case in point, is an unknown elderly lady at the gym I recently joined. This lady appears very nice and cordial to all who cross her path, except for an apparent aversion to me. She assidously avoids eye contact with considerable and observable effort, and, on the rare occasions where our glances will unexpectedly meet, she SCOWLS at me. Yes, a Full frontal SCOWL, every single time. I thought, maybe I look like someone she knows and very obviously Dislikes. Intensely Dislikes.

My other experience was with my mom who can be a real PITA. When she came to visit us a few weeks ago, we were both in my car, ready to go shopping. Literally, just as I was ready to put the minivan in gear, my mother said, "Maybe we shouldn't go shopping."
I replied, "You've got to be kidding, we are already in the car on our way."
She said all Huffy like, "Don't talk to me like I'm one of your peers."
To which I told her, "We're leaving, and don't lose your sense of humor."
She pouted all the way to the Antiques Mall.

Next time, I'm parking the car and going back in the house, by myself.