Happy New Year . . .

Had a busy Thursday off. Thought I was going to work on the puzzle most of the day but Puppy's Pop thought a movie was in order. I had been thinking the same thing so we went to see True Grit at Lisbon Landing. We both liked the movie. It was a good, plain story, well written, acted and directed. When a movie is good it is really great to go to the theatre rather than wait for the DVD. I think we'll also go to see The Transformers when it comes out. Even Rango previews looked pretty interesting! After our matinee performance we went to the Sterling School to fly and walk. The flying field (soccer field) was in good shape because the wind had swept it pretty clean! I just walked around the parking lot as my regular sidewalks were snow covered. To top off the day's low key events I found crunchy ice going down the entire length of the driveway! What a neat sounding walk coming up from putting out the mail. That would make a super video; bright blue sky, sighing wind in the trees, snot nosed kid stomping crunchy, clear ice rivulets in New England on the last day of the year.

Will be off soon to pick up our Kiddo. Wonder if he'll want to make a video or just slide down the partially snow covered hill?

Quote: What is time? --The shadow on the dial, the striking of the clock, the running of the sand, day and night, summer and winter, months, years, centuries --these are but the arbitrary and outward signs --the measure of time, not time itself. Time is the life of the soul. __Longfellow

Clio re...re...re...redux . . .

Got our morning call from the youngest that the Clio should be ready to be picked up this afternoon. She is apprehensive about driving it to work tomorrow but will just have to give it a go. Always the Maman, I told her to make sure she had warm clothes; gloves, heavy coat, toque, scarves, boots, double socks, triple shirts and double sweaters just in case she had another breakdown on the frigid, unplowed roads and she had to wait for RAC (her version of AAA) to come out to the rescue for the umpteenth time. The dealership replaced a fuel injector on the misfiring cylinder. We can only hope they have finally found the real problem! How disconcerting. Daughter explained that her "handler" will not get in touch with her until after the new year to explain in depth what has been done to cure the very sick Renault. I was surprised at the word "handler" as I explained that I thought handlers were used to control mad dogs. She admitted that might be how they consider her!

Had a good day with the kids yesterday. Our trip to Chucky Cheese in Groton was fun. The boys managed to share their tokens and earn enough tickets to each get about four pieces of junk. Nephew was hungry for pizza but grandson was hungry for a hamburger. Problem easily solved. I got nephew a personal pepperoni pizza and juice at Chucky Cheese and bought Kiddo a Happy Meal at McD's. Now, since you get a Bakugan toy at McD's nephew also needed a McNugget Happy Meal! I know I'm getting daft but I get such a kick out of these boys. We went to daughter's home and the kids played the rest of the afternoon. Only a few very minor glitches that the kids managed to almost work out by themselves. A good time was had by all. Kiddo's older brother made the paper yesterday because he attained honors at Grasso Tech. I really am proud of him. He'll be starting Driver's Ed after the first of the year at a cost to him of $500. His folks helped out by giving him lots of Christmas money. He's also been taking care of his kid brother during the holiday vacation so I've got today off! I'm planning to put at least 200 pieces into my puzzle today and perhaps go for a walk outside. It is cold and the snow cover is still present but a brisk walk in the bright sunshine will be healthy.

Received at least three singing birthday calls yesterday; two in person, one duet recorded while I was out playing with the kids. Makes you smile and appreciate the good people on this, God's white earth! My mixed bouquet was awaiting me, all well arranged and displayed in the center of the puzzle when I returned in the early evening. Heard from the three kids and so it's onward and upward into 2011.

Quote: Commonly they whose tongue is their weapon, use their feet for defense. ___Sir P. Sidney

Truly blown away . . .

Back to Gold Dredge No. 8

Puppy's Pop has been out to check up on my spinner and nary a trace could he find. I'm somewhat bitter about this disappearance because that means I have to get through the entire winter and most of the spring before I can get a new one. Believe it or not it's hard to find the right one on line. They have so many look a likes but most are garbage ( pronounced in the manner of the French.) So I shall suffer mightily for too many months and therefore have time to reflect on the cost of a new one which may make me decide to be economical! ! ! Doubtful.

Grampa used the Saturn to go to horseshoes in East Hartford today while I stayed home and luxuriated in the peace and quiet of a house all to myself! ( Wouldn't want that all the time but it is pleasant to be alone occasionally as I'm sure all can appreciate the calm and delight that reigns in solitude.) I did washes, walked to my audio book which I absolutely love, worked on my puzzle, read the horrid Bulletin in two minutes flat, completed the latest American Spectator and made out my shopping list. Therefore, 'twas a good day until I got the car back and went shopping. The check out girl was in never never land and over charged me for a twelve pack of Coke and the idiot at the package store never acknowledged my presence as I paid for the Cabernet Sauvignon. He continued to talk to someone, who was in front of me and then ceded her place to me, about his most stupid friend who insisted that he could order pizza by the piece not by the slice. As the young man at the checkout explained to the lady now behind me as he took my money and never even caught my eye, "John is so stupid. He won't admit that you order pizza by the slice not the piece. And I told him he was stupid . . ." I know. I should have told the clerk he was the ass and should pay attention to a good customer but I was so incensed I just fumed all the way home. Poor Grampa had to listen to my diatribe as I used the last of the roast beast to make soup for supper. I must be getting crotchety in my dotage. The neighbor kids asked me to borrow my sleds so they could slide on my hill! They can't find their sleds! Gee willikers, we let their two dogs run here and now we have to provide the sleds for their enjoyment. Oh well, and this too shall pass.

Just figured out a good puzzle for Springbok. I'll take a picture of my latest Lucky Roll, half completed, with a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon also on the table. Grampa says the glass of wine should be within the frame of the puzzle. Bonne idée! Tomorrow should be a great day. I'm picking up 6 year old great nephew from the old homestead and bringing him to Groton to spend the day with Kiddo. Should be a blast.

Quote: Who makes quick use of the moment, is a genius of prudence. ___Lavater

And my beautiful spinner is ? ? ?

Out of order. This is the dock on the Chena River as we were coming in on the sternwheeler.

Probably the luck of the draw, not too much snow, perhaps 6 inches total so far but the winds have made drifts all over the yard. The entry way by the kitchen had no snow because the wind had blown right through from the North and made odd paths. In some places you can see the tips of the blades of grass and in others deep drifts. Puppy's Pop has already finished using the snow blowers. Yes, plural. He used the one from eldest kid, who has moved to warmer climes, to clear the upper yard and the old one, that is kept and started in the basement (had to air out before I was asphyxiated,) to clear out the roadside, mailbox etc. I dutifully cleared off the porch and the kitchen step that had been clear of snow until the snowblower person completed his rounds and I had to sweep that clean too! I am distressed because my beautiful, colorful, 3 circled spinner is no where to be seen. It will probably show up in the Spring in the woods all tattered and torn so I will have to go to the Kite Store in Mystic for a newbie. Damn, that'll be a pain because the proprietor doesn't keep the one I like in stock. Most people don't want a top of the line spinner with 3 gorgeous wheels and a delightful tail. It is a bit costly but lots of fun to see the effects of the wind as it whips the spinner 'round and about as I laze in my swing or look out on the yard from the window as I do those dishes.

In any case Grampa is out and about in the Dodge and I've decided to start a puzzle, Coup de dés (Lucky Roll), very colorful made up of dice in all configurations. Who knows when it will be completed but I just feel like having some bright colorful pieces spread out on the kitchen table so when the spirit moves me I'll be ready to act.

Quote: The best throw with the dice, is to throw them away. __Old Proverb

Waiting on the blizzard . . .

Gold Dredge No. 8

Just returned from Sunday Mass, having already breakfasted at LizzyB's, and was surprised that there were only about 30 people in the church. All Hallows looks so nice in its Christmas finery. The lay people decorate with just the right beauty and simplicity. With our Polish priest the old statues are reappearing, cleanly restored and in their old places. I like it. Two ladies who harmonize very well were our choir and I felt so at home and comfortable. I had gone to the children's Mass on Christmas Eve and the church was packed; that was a good thing. Since we no longer have a Catholic school in the entire town of Plainfield it amazes me to see so many young families with at least 2 or 3 children. Volunteers run the religious education programs on Sunday mornings before and after the 9:15 Mass. I'm impressed with the work they do. It truly is a labor of love although some of the kids could use a scolding. (I don't think that word exists anymore!)

Our Christmas Day was warm, comfortable and relaxing. For once dinner was late instead of early so I am making progress! Kiddo ate his entire hamburger and a rack of grapes without even a slight complaint. Some how or other I made the best Gram's Cheesecake ever. We were all suitably impressed. I think it came out so well because I fortuitously came upon medium eggs and while I was preparing the cake son called so I just put the batter aside while we all talked for a bit. Whatever the case may be there's not much left and I know that I shall indulge in a slice for lunch with homemade raspberry sauce and fresh whipped cream.

And the Saga of the Clio will go on into the New Year. Youngest called Christmas Day and the Clio has the dealership so distraught they asked if they could have one of their mechanics take it home and drive it so they can really figure out what's wrong with it. Grampa seems to think that they probably never had to put in the new wiring harness and there's some type of electrical problem. I wish they'd give youngest another vehicle and call it even. This is getting to be outrageous. She and G. are spending the holidays with his parents and had a White Christmas! So far we have a very light dusting of snow.

Quote: Neither piety, virtue, nor liberty can long flourish in a community where the education of youth is neglected. ___Cooper

Addenda . . .

The Clio Renault is back on the road! The coil pack did the trick and the mechanic even went so far as to clean out the windshield washer jets, no extra charge! Woot! And wonder of wonders a $450 charge on our credit card was removed very quickly, no fuss. Hometown Heating T&S Energy were so efficient they put the charge in on the computer and manually but fixed it. Phew, I almost had cardiac arrest when I saw the bill before I realized what had transpired. Oh well, back to breakfast and wishing the flurries would stop.

Yes indeedy . . . we are having fun . . .

Puppy's Pop needed lots of plane parts yesterday so we were off to Sturbridge, MA, always a beautiful ride up Route 169. While he was picking out all the odds and ends I was checking out a flight simulator for remote control air planes. A bit pricey but perhaps someday we'll breakdown and get it so Kiddo and I can learn to fly! Not sure if our present computer can handle the add on. But it's really neat because you get a radio control box just like the real radios. I've always been very nervous when I've handled the radios maybe this would help me to get over my fright! On the way home we stopped at our favorite spot for lunch, Java Jive, in Woodstock. Excellent sandwiches and coffee. We haven't gone there for breakfast yet but one of these days we'll have to make the trek.

Kiddo got out at 1pm today and then we spent 45 minutes at the school playground! It was cold as the devil but he wanted to run around with his friends and you can't say no to playing outside and having a ball. We hit McD's for a double hamburger Mighty Meal and my Southern Chicken. Excellent lunch! We were both starving. I was home a bit late tonight but just in time for Santa and his elf. They were out testing the sleigh and reindeer for Friday night. They even brought us some snow. How much more better could it get? Yes, life is just grand. But . . . the snow best be off of the roads by morning!

Quote: Babe . . . A sweet new blossom of humanity, fresh fallen from God's own home, to flower on earth. _____Massey