Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A chipmunk Christmas


Warning: I know this is kinda a lame post, but I just LOVE the Chipmunk Christmas Song. That's a big deal, because unlike most others, I 'do not' like Christmas music. I also owe Solar a moose call (or three), so I'm warming up with these chipmunks first.
A Merry 'Chipmunk' Christmas
Christmas, Christmas time is near
Time for toys and time for cheer
We've been good, but we can't last
Hurry Christmas, hurry fast
Want a plane that loops the loop
Me, I want a hula hoop
We can hardly stand the wait
Please Christmas, don't be late.
The Chipmunk Song

... A meaningful Christmas quote (which reminds me of the circle of seasons... and life):

At Christmas I no more desire a rose,
Than wish a snow in May's new-fangled shows;
But like of each thing that in season grows.
William Shakespeare

194 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope this is in English, since I did experiment with a little color and italics. Please let me know if it's not.

Anonymous said...

Solar, I did find out what moose call means from Urban Dictionary's point of view. They say a moose call is: "The act of tryin to find marijuana."

But I figure you want the old fashion kind. How 'bout these: My moose calls

Anonymous said...

Well... right now I'm going to make myself one of these: Grilled Cheese Sandwich I'm going to try it her way.

Solar said...

Chloe,

The fun of counting down was fine...I will think of something to replace the moose calls...

Solar said...

..."A meaningful Christmas quote (which reminds me of the circle of seasons... and life):"

Perfect.!!!

jan said...

Chloe, I love the Chipmonks Christmas song. That is perfect for today.

I am feeling sad. I just got word that a dear friend died last night. We taught together in Arlington and again here in NM. She had moved back to NC to teach nursing about 2 1/2 years ago. She was about 55 years old,I believe. She had breast cancer about 8-9 years ago and was cancer free - we thought. She became ill Thanksgiving and has been in ICU until her death last night. I understand they found tumors in both her lungs and brain. She had 2 children in their 20's - a boy and a girl. She was a wonderful friend, nurse and teacher and one of the kindest, gentlest souls I have known and we all loved her.

jan said...

Rest in Peace, Pauline.

Solar said...

Mary;

That Nun was so cold...that we had to wear turtle neck jokey shorts......

Solar said...

thats right jokey shorts...not jockey shorts...

Solar said...

Jan,

Sorry about your friend....I have a few, that are just as important than family....

jan said...

Chloe, love the recipe for the grilled cheese sandwich. Never thought of grating your cheese.

Have you ever heard how college students in a dorm make grilled cheese sandwiches. They make the sandwich, wrap in alum foil and then Iron it. Pretty clever.

jan said...

Solar, thank you for your kind words. I had heard she was ill but had no idea she would not survive.

Mary said...

Jan,
So sorry to hear about your friend. When you get sad/bad news this time of year, I think it's even more emotional.

Mary said...

Chloe, Love the Chipmunk song & video. Of course, who did I think of when I heard it? Emma--does she like it??

Carol said...

Waiting at the beauty parlor with
Iphony.

Sorry Jan. Seems like it's always
the ultra good who die young. That's why
I think maybe there is something
good up there waiting for us. Hope
so.

Carol said...

Solar, I dreamed about you
last night. Don't ask cuz
I don't remember the dream just that you were in
it. It must have been a busy dream
cuz I was pooped when I got up. Could
have been that I had to get up too early.

Carol said...

Cute pic Chloe but Iphony not letting
me open video. I like the Chipmonks.

Carol said...

Still waiting. Lady before me not
happy about her color. Hate waiting.

Carol said...

Can't color my white hair unless I
want red or green for Christmas.

Solar said...

Carol,

So anyway. You and I were in the same dream, we were all pooped out, and don't know why....I do wanna know???

And your hair in red and green...pic please...

Solar said...

Coreen, Coreen, the dancing machine,

Speaking of pics. I had an e mail alert that said that U and I were friends...it showed a really scary silhouette of some tough lady....show me the other one..the not so scary one..

Coreen said...

Solar, something was on my email about facebook
with your name & another friend's pic too. I followed the instructions & hopefully
you added me to your facebook, one of my friends answered they did, but I don't know what you do after that. I did not put any pic of me on it or set up a page.

Solar said...

Coreen,

I did do that...I haven't been to see my page on fb in quite some time, and was pleasantly surprised when your name was on the E mail that I received also..yes I added your name, and will any friends of yours..but I don't like facebook, and probably won't go there often..unless U or someone asks me too....

I Don't think that you would like fb very much either..maybe Im wrong....It seem to be mostly for those that are looking for long lost friends..or just have a lot of time on thier hands???

Im afraid that someone would invite me to start texting....my first text would get me put in jail...i don't get the need to put all of your biz on it...I do think that there are times that it is a great working tool:

Read where some Dr. was operating overseas, and someone was texting the operation to a Dr. here; so......

Solar said...

Carol,

The reason that we so tired in your dream....is that we were getting chased by your giant beaver, from the river....I tried to go back for U; but......

Anonymous said...

"She was a wonderful friend, nurse and teacher and one of the kindest, gentlest souls I have known and we all loved her."

Jan, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like a wonderful person. I feel for her family too.

Anonymous said...

"They make the sandwich, wrap in alum foil and then Iron it. "

Jan, There is an excellent movie from '93 that had a scene of Johnny Depp doing just that.
How to Make Grilled Cheese a la "Benny & Joon"
I'll never forget the first time I saw that movie. It was so original back then, and I fell in love with it. Johnny Depp is such a wonderful actor.

Anonymous said...

Mary, I saw your post asking if Emma likes the Chipmunk song too, and yes she does. She even told me that Alvin reminded her of Solar. :)

Carol, Hope you made it out of that beauty parlor ok. Between that, and the 'nightmare' you had last night, you've had a rough couple of days.

Solar said...

Is that because Alvin is always in trouble??

Solar said...

I forgot to get a new avatar..tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Yesssss!

Anonymous said...

Solar, You could get a new avatar of Alvin. :)
Alvin

Anonymous said...

I wasn't really thinking of Alvin always being in trouble Solar. I just meant that he's a rascal. He's the one who's having all the fun, and therefore he's fun to watch.

Solar said...

I will get Alvin. But I never have any fun..fun whats that..can U shoe me, Sally.

Solar said...

Oooooops, don't shoe me show me...I don't want to temp you with throwing anything at me...HA'1

Anonymous said...

I know they said something about this on TM, but I'm really starting to like this guy. It's so nice to hear from someone out of the flock.

Howard Dean urges defeat of health bill
"– Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean argued Wednesday that the health care overhaul bill taking shape in the Senate further empowers private insurers at the expense of consumer choice — a claim the White House rejected.

"You will be forced to buy insurance. If you don't, you'll pay a fine," said Dean, a physician. "It's an insurance company bailout." Interviewed on ABC's "Good Morning America," he said the bill has some good provisions, "but there has to be a line beyond which you think the bill is bad for the country." http://www.ketknbc.com/news/howard-dean-urges-defeat-health-bill

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
Very sorry to learn about your friend. I have an idea how you feel. It is just a very sad thing to lose someone during this supposed-to-be-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year.

Solar said...

Chloe,

Dr. Dean is the one that should have been elected when Gore had the shot...but the press made him look like a third party nut case...

Anonymous said...

Ha!.. When you asked me to shoe you, I was going to offer my farrier to you.

You mean show you how to upload Alvin?
You right click on the picture that you choose, then you left click on 'save image as'.
When the save image window pops up, you left click on desktop on the left side of the window (so it'll be easy to find). Then you can leave the file name the same or call it something else.
Then click save on the bottom right hand side.

It will then be on your desktop.
After you get that there, if you need help uploading it from there, let me know.

Anonymous said...

Do you think Dean will run again Solar? He's really putting himself front and center.

jan said...

Carol, I like your picture with Maggie.

Anonymous said...

Ivy, I agree. It's so sad to have to lose a friend, and even more sad when it's a time of celebration for so many.

Anonymous said...

Jan, I like your new picture too!

Solar said...

No chloe, I know how to get Alvin over to the swamp..I meant don't throw a show at me...

About Dean..don't know..but it would sure drive em all nuts if he did...and Im sure that he would get the nod....maybe he would not need the big corps as much as others to get elected..but I just don't see any change...until we change the (reform) way that we elect our reps..the way that it is right now..they are all owned by the corps...sorta like a baseball team..has a farm team,,,and brings them up, for the big leagues.....they are owned by the organizations that brought them up, cos that were they were trained etc, etc,

jan said...

Chloe, thank you for the instructions.

Anonymous said...

".they are owned by the organizations that brought them up"

It's corruption Solar. Where can you even start. It's infiltrated through the whole government, all the way to the top. They'll have to change a lot of laws to just begin.

jan said...

Chloe, I like your little holiday pic of the penguin too.

Solar said...

Jan,

Nice avatar/pic. That where your friend Pauline is now.. in the Universe, a little different than before..but still part of it all...

jan said...

Chloe, thanks for the link to the recipe for "iron on grilled cheese sandwiches" I don't know where I got the idea of using alum foil. Makes it less messy.

Ivy Green said...

Here is a piece from my "comfort prayers" book.

All things pass
A sunrise does not last all morning
All things pass
A cloudburst does not last all day
Nor a sunset all night
What always changes?

Earth...sky...thunder...
mountain...water...
wind...fire...lake...

These change
And if these do not last

Do man's visions last?
Do man's illusions?

Take things as they come
All things pass.

~Lao-Tzu

Ivy Green said...

"All things must pass
All things must pass away
All things must pass
None of life's strings can last
So, I must be on my way
And face another day
"
~ George Harrison

jan said...

Thank you to all who commented on my friend's death. We are all grieving here. I hear she was perfectly well-appearing without any knowledge of the cancer, and then on Thanksgiving day became short of breath and they took her to Emer at hospital. She was on a respirator and they drew about 1/2 liter of fluid off the pericardial sac (around the heart). It seems she has been in a coma. I don't know if she ever knew what was going on.

Solar said...

Chloe,

The only way to change things is by getting one of the true mavricks in there,and then change things..but this doesn't stand a chance...as long as most of the people see themselves as part of one team or the other..and never consider what is right for the country..they always vote straight party ticket....not matter what....this is called tribalism...

Anonymous said...

Oh good Jan. Once you practice it a few times, you'll be able to take just about any picture you want off the internet and copy it where ever you want. Once you get it saved to your computer, you'll always have access to it.

Then, when you go to upload it, the site your uploading it to usually does the work for you. Jan, you really should open a photo bucket. It's all very self explanatory. Then you can upload any of your photos you want. Then family and friends will be able to go over and look at your albums anytime they want, if you give them the address. http://photobucket.com/

jan said...

Ivy, thank you for the lovely words to the song and the poem/prayer.

Anonymous said...

Really lovely poems Ivy.

Carol said...

Evening folkes. Long day and short night last night. And worse, I didn't eat all day, too busy.

Good thing I couldn't pull up that grilled cheese sandwich on little Iphony earlier. I might have eaten the phone.

I don't grill mine, I toast them in the oven, open faced, no butter but I put chispy bacon on top. I bet that iron method works pretty well in a pinch but I'd probably get cheese and butter on my clothes the next day.

Anonymous said...

LOL Jan. The foil is the best idea. Otherwise you'd ruin the iron (unless that's all you used it for :)

Carol said...

Sorry I missed a lot of comments. I will go read now.

Anonymous said...

"he only way to change things is by getting one of the true mavricks in there,and then change things..but this doesn't stand a chance...as long as most of the people see themselves as part of one team or the other"

You are 'so' right. But the maverick would have to be the one at the top.. the top guy. As you said, there's no chance as long as everyone sticks with everyone else. Independence is not even tolerated in house and senate. I don't think it is in the White House either.

Anonymous said...

Just jump in Carol.

Anonymous said...

That grilled cheese in the oven is probably a lot healthier Carol. But I really do love my 'Country Crock light margarine'. And not all that much cheese either. I like that buttery toast the best.

Carol said...

Hi Ivy. What ya been doing? Liked your pomes. Felt a little deprived lately.

And Jan, your friend did know. She was watching it all. Not from the inside out but from the outside in.

Ivy Green said...

I guess I have been distracted. I just found out today is Wednesday. I went through the whole day thinking it was Thursday.

Carol said...

I like my well toasted good sour dough bread with butter. Maggie and I usually share several pieces when I get home from work. I used to use butter, started after the trans fat scare. I recently changed to I Can't Believe It's not Butter, Mediterraeian blend. Has olive oil in it and 3 grams less fat.

Carol said...

The end of this year is flying by, kind of like the end of a video tape when you fast forward it. The second hand on my watch is even spinning.

Anonymous said...

I feel the same way Carol. It always goes fast this time of the year. We zoom through, then it's suddenly a year later.

Ivy Green said...

Here is what probably happened: remember we had that discussion about ironing where I noted that I don't? Hubs sends his shirts out to the cleaner and they pick them up on Thursdays in a bright orange bag. Until recently, shirt day was Monday. Apparently, Hubs doesn't yet have the new routine down pat because this morning he threw his orange shirt bag out on the front step. It sat there all day. It must be that Orange=Thursday got imprinted on my brain. I saw "orange" and spent the day thinking "Thursday." lol

P.S. He just threw the bag out there again, so I guess we'll give it another try tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I love sour dough too. I like to get it over at Panera, and have them slice it real thick. I like that margarine you get too. I have the Fleischmanns olive oil margarine in my frige right now, along side the other. I have some of the 'I can't believe it's not butter' spray kind with no calories too.

Anonymous said...

I have days like that too Ivy. Just feels like another day than it really is.

See you all tomorrow.

Solar said...

And here I was ironing my shirts..I should have been putting them in the oven, the Iron is for Cheese huh?

Anonymous said...

Oh Solar, That is soooooo cute. It's so you. :)

Anonymous said...

... a cute little Christmas chipmunk.

Anonymous said...

Solar, I knew you'd pick that one.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Is that your Christmas card photo? I love the cardinal on your sweater. "Cardinal grosbeak" is a special bird.

A few states have it as their State Bird.

States with Cardinal as State Bird

Carol said...

Just don't put all your underwear in the microwave Solar.

Anonymous said...

Good night again all you beautiful people.

Ivy Green said...

Odd thing was I had a doctor's appointment for today (Wednesday) and I made it on the right day at the right time even though I thought today was Thursday. lol

jan said...

Ivy, we are all such creatures of habit - I LOL about the "orange bag" outside all day. I get confused all the time about what day it is.

jan said...

"And here I was ironing my shirts..I should have been putting them in the oven, the Iron is for Cheese huh?"

Solar, sooooo funny. I love your Alvin avatar. Do you ever identify with Alvin?

Solar said...

Jan,

I don't, but that Chloe gal, thinks im the trouble making one...im more like the nerdy one...never a peep outta me.

jan said...

"Otherwise you'd ruin the iron (unless that's all you used it for :)"

Chloe, I think that is all many college students might use it for. The iron I have now is one given to me by a gentleman friend (not boy friend) in Dallas. His mother had given it to him in college and he never used it. He sent his shirts out to be laundered. I borrowed it from him one time when mine burned out. When I moved from Dallas I tried to give it back and he would not take it. He told me he had no use for it. Whenever I use it I think of him.

jan said...

"never a peep outta me."
Solar, I find that hard to believe.

jan said...

Solar, seems you and I must be the only ones left here and I must grade some papers - so I have to leave too. I leave the blog in your capable hands.

Solar said...

ask Carol, or Coreen, they will tell you the same thing...no trouble from me at all...later

Carol said...

Not a bit of trouble Jan. Not sure about the wee hours of the morning though. I just can't remember.

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Here's a Christmas Cookie recipe my aunt sent me. I thought you might want to try it for your party. Better yet, maybe your guests will want to help out with the baking.

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies


1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup or brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila


Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl,
Check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality,
Pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter
In a large fluffy bowl.


Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point
it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok, try another
Cup just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup
Of dried fruit.

Pick the frigging fruit off the floor.

Mix on the turner.


If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry
It loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Check the Jose Cuervo.



Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.

Add one table.

Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can
Find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall
Over.

Don't forget to beat off the turner.


Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the
Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.
Cherry Mistmas

Ivy Green said...

I wasn't the only one who got my days mixed up. lol

Another Couple Not On List Gets Into White House Event

Carol said...

Ivy, I got woozy just reading that cookie recipe. I think I need to lie down.

Neat story about the breakfast guests at the White House.

Ivy Green said...

Jan,
Your "borrowed iron" story reminded me when we were at the B&B in Aberdeen, I wanted to go for a nature walk...I wanted to find that elusive owl. I mentioned it to the innkeeper and commented I wished I'd brought my binoculars. To which he replied he had a pair of binoculars at home that were a gift from his parents, but they had never been out of the box. He had no use for them, but would bring them for me the next day. I thought he was being nice and would forget. I wasn't going to bring it up again. But sure enough, he meant it and brought them the next day. I went on my walks and they came in quite handy. We took them with us to the castle ruin at Dunnottar. At one point, I handed them off to Hubs...and he dropped them on the stone pavement. The rim came off and one lens fell on the pavement. We both stared in shock and horror. Hubs felt terrible. Fortunately, the lens did not crack and we fitted the piece back together. Hubs insisted on taking responsibility, and next day he went directly and apologized to the innkeeper. He offered to replace the binoculars, but the fellow declined, saying he had never used them anyway and had no need for another pair. When I wrote my thank you note, I also apologised profusely. I have such a sense of responsibility, to borrow something from someone and then damage it...for shame, for shame, as Gomer Pyle used to say.

Carol said...

It seems Ivy that those binoculars didn't want to go back to that innkeeper either. They felt neglected and unappreciated. The short time they spent with you and Hubs, was the highlight of their existance. Then it was time to throw in the lens, so to speak.

Ivy Green said...

That's a good way to look at it, Carol. I have a feeling the binoculars will stay in service at the B&B for other guests. Even in the imperfect state, they were still in good working order. Our innkeeper said, thanks to my influence, they were already planning to purchase Scottish bird field guides for future guests. Others had apparently requested in the past, but it was my enthusiasm that finally persuaded them to add field guides to their library.

jan said...

Solar, I read back over comments and had missed your comment that now my friend Pauline is a member of the universe. That is such a lovely way to look at a death - and it gives some inner peace too. Thank you!

jan said...

Ivy, a lovely story of the binoculars.

"And Jan, your friend did know. She was watching it all. Not from the inside out but from the outside in."

Carol, I am certain you are right. I think we always know about those things, whether we share that "knowing" with others or not.

You know all that stuff about stress and illness. She had been through so much in the past 8-10 years. While living here her young son had been in trouble with the law, her husband had an affair and left her, her daughter just had a baby. When she left here she could not sell her house and it was on the market for about one and 1/2 years. She finally sold it and was buying a condo. When you add up all those stresses - including a move across country and new job - the score is astronomical. And those are the things I knew about. You never know what other issues are going on in someone's life.

jan said...

Ivy, cute story about the Georgia couple who had b'fast with the first family. What a great story they had to tell back home.

jan said...

Ivy, great recipe for cookies. Must try it sometime.

Fairweather said...

Hi Chloe and all--

Jan, so sorry to hear about your friend. May she rest well.

Chloe--if the Chipmunks are lame then I guess I must be doing some pretty lame posts too, cause I did a post of a Chipmunks song the other day over at Fairweather Lewis (but I don't think I cross-posted it at the Red Mud Inn)--as did Bella here on Blogger--Hey, it's the season!! :)

Carol said...

Hi Fair, we all enjoyed the Chipmunks also. Chloe, having her little Em, keeps her young and her sharing Em with us keep the rest of us young also.

I also enjoyed the piece you linked from Handel's Messiah. Hearing it brings back some fond memories. Mom sang in our local Messiah choir for years and we went to hear her every year.

I just went over to Youtube to pull up
Handel's Hallelujah Chorus. That always gets me in the Christmas spirit.

Carol said...

Jan, when your friend saw the light, she probably ran into it. I have read so many stories about those life after life experience where people are given the choice of whether to stay or go, when in a critical situation.

I had an aunt who was in the hospital up on a floor where I had students one semester. Our families were not speaking at the time because of this dispute over some land. Her family had been screwing us for many years but we didn't do anything about it because family is family.

When my uncle, my father's brother, died they sued us for some of our part of the land. We finally said enough is enough.

My aunt had just been transferred out of CCU. I didn't plan on going in to see her but when heading to the room of one of my student's patients, I accidentally went into her room. I guess it wasn't an accident.

She wasn't a religious person but she told me of an experience where she was given the choice of whether to stay here or move up. She decided to stay because she was helping to raise her granddaughter. She said that coming back was a hard choice to make.

Carol said...

Yep Ivy, you've had a positive influence on the appreciation of birds here, and around the world. The birdies thank you. A little birdie told me that.

Anonymous said...

Carol, When you mentioned Ivy's great bird contribution here, I thought again about what a different bunch of birds I see here in Houston every winter. I was still wondering about those tiny little green birds I saw through my window late last winter, and I'm keeping an eye out for them this season. I just did a quick search for Christmas birds, and found that Audubon has an annual citizen 'Christmas bird count'. So I went to their photo gallery, and there is one on it that looks very close to the same one I was saw back then: Last winters photo gallery

This may be a site someone has already linked here, but it's a nice one with sound clips for many different birds. Bringing nature to life

Mary said...

Chloe,
Loved your bird photos link. I know you mentioned not liking Christmas music but Nanny Mary found another one Emma might like. I'll have Carol tell me how to link, later but I'll just have to paste the link here for now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PN37QU7yoj4

I thought it was cute. You may have already seen it.

Solar said...

Nanny Mary.....je,je, je.

Mary said...

you want me to be yo nanny also??

Mary said...

Did you see nanny's youtube video?

Solar said...

HI Mary,

Never had a nanny. What is it that do for big kids like me...Im in between doing a lot of things so; im sometimes late in answering anything...almost always.two way radio going off now..later

Mary said...

OK, OK, I got the hint!! I can clean out this place faster than Solar.

Solar said...

that they do...that should be.

Anonymous said...

Ah, Nanny. Mary, It is so sweet of you to link that cute video for Emma. She loved it! We'll have to watch it a couple of times a day through Christmas - she loves repetition. Thanks again.

You're going to be such a good gramma Mary.

Mary said...

Thank you Chloe, Like we said before, children are what make this holiday so special.
I'm so excited about being a grandma. I'm already trying to figure out how I will be able to fly up there at least once a month.

Solar said...

Oh,

That kind of nanny; a grammy nanny...I thought it was the type of Nanny that was of a different kind..the take care of the older kid kind....never mind.!!

Anonymous said...

Ha! We know 'exactly' what you meant Alvin.

Solar said...

Hello miz Sally. Having fun with my new name I see.

Anonymous said...

I really like calling you Alvin. Alvin the rascal.

Coreen said...

Hello everyone....

Alvin, the Rascal, what about the Chipettes,
Brittany, Jeannette & Eleanor.....

Here they are in a trailer for "Alvin & the
Chipmunks: TheSqeakuel" performing 'Single Lady'

The Chipettes

Solar said...

I don't have sound at this time.

which one are you Coreen, which chipett?

Coreen said...

You have to ask!!!.....

Mary said...

I love the Chipettes. You need the sound, Solar.

Coreen said...

Interesting research that lists the happiest states in the USA...Carol, Mary you live in the No. 1 happiest state. I on the other hand live in the 2nd to last happiest state just before New York...Chloe is at 16, while Ivy
is in the Top 10 (No. 9, and Jan's New Mexico
is 24. Solar's Illinois is 45....

Happiest States

Solar said...

Mary,

I have to re-install my sound drivers, or something like that..right now..thats a lot to get into...

Coreen, Yes I have to ask...which one.!!!

Solar said...

Im happy, that your happy. IM happy the Carol; and Maria are happy, Im happy that Chloe is happy....all of this freaking happiness is making me un........

Solar said...

You know how sometimes your not yourself..the pressure, sometimes the problems of the world are on your shoulders....

I was in an accident the other day. I ran a stop sign, and hit a huge expensive car...it was all my fault, and was going to fess up to it...I was also very nervous....

The owner of the other car opened his door, and got out..he started to look at the damage to his car...he was a DWARF..a short guy in a business suit..

Well he came over to me..and started screaming at me..I couldn't hear anything that he said..until he screamed...Im not HAPPY......I screamed back at him....and asked him which one are you then????

How is that for a happy state? HA!

Mary said...

Coreen,
Was it you that said you like Celtic music? If it wasn't, whoever said they like it,
a really nice Celtic Christmas CD is Loreena McKennitt's "A Midsummer Nights Dream". She has a beautiful voice.
Sample

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2SR_P-_98s&feature=related

Coreen said...

You will have to use your own imagination, but to help you, here's description of the Chippettes...

Brittany is just as arrogant & egotistical as Alvin. She often bosses her 2 sisters around,but she also has a good heart & loves
her sisters dearly.

Jeanette, like Simon, is more intelligent than her sisters. However, she is clumsy,timid & less likely to attempt to stop Brittany when she's scheming.

Eleanor, like Theodore, she's the youngest of the Chipettes. Eleanor is plump & motherly, but can stand up for herself.

Solar said...

This is a conspiracy right?

You all e-mailed each other, and decided to vanish when good ole Solar is around huh? and then you say t hat im the 45th unhappiest one of you all..be back in a little while...

Mary said...

Oh Alvin--you are toooooo funny.

Coreen said...

What about me, my state CT is second to last.

Coreen said...

Mary, wasn't me that mentioned celtic music,
but I will put my netbook on & give it a listen, I still have not had the sound returned
on my computer since day one...Soon though, I will get the guy here to fix it.

Mary said...

I'm trying to figure out why my state is so fricking happy. They must have forgot to tell me.

Mary said...

Just joking. I'm happpppy.

Solar said...

U R none of the above,,or a l ittle of all of em...mmm but I will pick one little rodent...

Solar said...

Mary, U didn't like my joke?

Solar said...

never mind,,,is see that you got it...

Solar said...

Who started this happy stuff....I hope that you are happy now>!!

Mary said...

Your avatar really matches your personality.

Coreen said...

I think Mary liked the joke, so did I...I visualize you as doing stand up comedy like
Jerry Seinfeld at the beginning & end of that
show....

Solar said...

Brittany, definitely Brittany.!

Coreen said...

Ha,ha,ha,ha!!!!!! What a guy......

Solar said...

Im kind of a serious person actually..but with a need to laugh at all things....most things....have been a loner all of my life..but have some very good friends..kinda doesn't make sense huh?

Solar said...

Well, Well, Well.!

I finally made you laugh out loud...now Im happy.!

Coreen said...

Before the 'happiness' wears off, hears an
oldie...


Oh How Happy Shades of Blue

Carol said...

Solar, I was really feeling bad for you being involved in that MVA until I got to the end of your comment. Then I had to read the end a couple of times to make sure I didn't misunderstand what you wrote. Huh. It took a minute or two to feel safe laughing.

Interesting Coreen that La. is the happiest state. I bet happiness correlated with dumb and drunk, huh? Only kidden Louisiana. They know I kid them.

Solar said...

Coreen, Thanks...never heard those songs before..will mark them.

Coreen said...

Solar/Alvin,

If you are quick enough you may see the real me...but just for a sec.....

Carol said...

I think I have identified some of the small birds that flock here in the winter Chloe. One is the American Goldfinch, that isn't gold in the winter but more of an olive.

Also the Chipping Sparrow, Tufted Titmouse and Carolina Chickadee.

I used the National Geographic Field Guide.

Coreen said...

Remember, I am an one of those oldies but goodies, grew up riding around, listening to
rock & roll on the radio....With NY radio we
had the best of all worlds...

Coreen said...

Carol,

Not sure what the research used to decide the
'happiest' state, but now you know your Louisiana is it...Meanwhile NY & CT are at the
tail end of happiness...oh, well, we can't have
everything....

Solar said...

Carol,

Those are the best jokes..when you can make them sound real....like you and the other gal at tm made me do with Tony's Armadillos...that one took over a month for me to tell.....Tell Mary about it..but make sure she has her pantaloons on..she laughs a lot easier; and harder than you do...

Solar said...

Got a real fast look at you...and it was just as I pictured you to be:

Bondy kneed and impatient..


Singing the oldies while in a fast moving car..what could have been better..I agree....I bet that you even poked your head outside the car window....when that one song said.."think I will go outside for a while" :-)

Coreen said...

Actually, spoiled & pouting.....

Coreen said...

And the hand on the hip, trademark......

Solar said...

All little Italians are spoiled and pouting..nothing new there....how about the bonny knees??

Solar said...

I think that when Chloe comes back..she is going to think that we are all nuts....and she won't be far from wrong...Mary...Mary Stop laughing...Carol, do something.!

Coreen said...

Knees...not bad, a small 'c' scar on right knee
from car accident...someone ran a stop sign
right in front of my gto....

more like twiggy than rosanne....

Solar said...

This worked out great today..I went and got Max all pissed off, and had a good conversation with Pogo,,one of the few that actually talks to someone other than talk them down..XR...and learned a little...

Then came here for the chipmunk show...great.!

Carol said...

Coreen, I couldn't make that new little avatar bigger because you changed it back before I noticed it. I need a microscope and don't have one out here.

Did any of you guys go to the drive in and circle the place over and over? Not talking about movies even though that was also hot back then. That was big down here in the 60s give or take 5 years. You were really hot if you had a convertable. We were lucky we had something with wheels that used gas.

Solar said...

Meant to say all little Italianas. scar on the knee and not too tall..about 5ft 4 ? with hands on hip mmm have a definite mental pic..wanna see??

Coreen said...

Carol, I put it back...it a pouty Brittany chipette...at least for tonite.

We did have a couple of drive in movies (that is what you meant, but we were more the American Grafitti kids....really from one drive in restaurant to another....I was spoiled
always had a car, but remember I am an only child....

Carol said...

I was talking about the drive in restaurants. We had Tom and Macks drive in here. It was the hot hang out down here.

Coreen said...

Believe it or not, some of the drive in restaurants are still going strong....the Merritt Canteen....that's like 40 years...

Coreen said...

I re-read your post Carol, & yes we had a regular route around town.....

Coreen said...

Oh and we had a regular pizza place---Jennie's

Solar, see always pizza.....

Coreen said...

I have to go for now, need to go pick up mom at
my aunt's, she is returning from Florida tonite, actually she is in route from Laguardia
airport right now....Told her it is really cold
& going to be for the forseeable future, but she wanted to come home before Christmas....

And Carol, if the posts are closing in on
200 tonite, I will put together some decorations for a new post overnite.

Catch you later...

Ivy Green said...

I got my signed bookplates for "Listen Up Mr. President" today from Craig and Helen. It was really nice of them to take the time and trouble in our behalf.

Anonymous said...

Hey, What happened to all those 'nutty' people who were here earlier. Alvin must have chased them all away.

Anonymous said...

You know Carol, maybe that American Goldfinch you have there on your side of the border is the same one I have, because they definitely were olive colored. And Very tiny. I saw a couple of the really tiny ones over by my gate yesterday, when I was pulling in, but I couldn't see the color. Probably was sorta gray.

We probably have mostly the same birds (and happy birds too, although yours are happier than ours :), since we have the same climate, but of course you have your river, so that makes our habitat different. There are a couple of large ponds on our street though, so they do have access to some water. Also, a huge lake about 20 minutes away (not close enough to count, I guess).

Anonymous said...

Hi Ivy. Did you enjoy the book?

Anonymous said...

Carol, It was Bobs Big Boy drive-in in S. Ca. I really loved that place. Every Wed. night and weekends, the place to be. It was the highlight of our week, when we were teenagers. But we still ate there when we got older too, because the food was so good. Did you have them there? They made the original double decker, much better than the one McDonalds copied later.

I think this is one of the original ones: Bobs Big Boy

Carol said...

Chloe, no Bob's here but they were in Texas or somewhere not too far away because I've passed them.

I have dozens of those small birds as long as I keep my feeders full. They disappear fast if I accidentally let the feeder run dry.

There is nothing dry here, it's rained so much lately. We had a little break yesterday but it started again last night and hasn't stopped since.

There are lots of work I need to do outside but I will need waders to do it. I'm not sure where people will find to park for the party that they won't need a tractor to pull them out. I might not dry out until mid summer.

Solar said...

Hello, Chloe gal,

Your chipmunk thread has been a total hit today..will I still be Alvin, or do we wait until the next thread...

Solar said...

We had both.....a drive in restaurant called dog and suds...root beer..i hate root beer..and the movie drive in... great times at both...

I had a 1965 Pontiac Convertible..blk top, on blk body, on blk interior..looked like the cockpit of an airplane...the coolest car that I ever had...should have kept it...

Carol said...

Alvin in a 65 black convertible. Totally hot image there!

Solar said...

Had all blk leather interior with bucket seats..console int he middle( her name was Sugar Bear)..I wouldn't let anyone drink or smoke inside of it...except this girl Elaine vilonovich...broke my heart..and I changed her name to Sue...

Ivy Green said...

Chloe,
I may have missed if you already said it, but are those little green birds actually coming to your bird feeder for seeds, and if so, do they come together in flocks? What kinds of seed are they eating? If so, they may be goldfinches, as Carol noted.

I did enjoy Craig's book. I bought an extra one to donate to our neighborhood middle school. The school just opened and they requested books for he new library, especially educational ones. I figured Craig's and Helen's book would fit the bill.

Solar said...

Not the car..the girl.

Carol said...

So, it wasn't the car that broke your heart Solar?

I got a little thing that looked like a CD envelope from Craig. It's out in my truck so I can't get to it, at least not without a wet suit. That must be my signed book plate. Is that what it came in?

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
That's your bookplate out there.

Ivy Green said...

I can imagine Craig and Helen sitting there together, signing away, and making a few wisecracks and jokes at our expense, and then finally saying, "omg how many more, are we done yet?" Just like me when mailing my Christmas cards.

Solar said...

Carol,

"So, it wasn't the car that broke your heart Solar?"

No. It was me that broke my cars heart: I sold Sugar Bear, just cos she had a cpl of leaks in her heart..I could have treated her with kindness, and given her a transplant..(the next guy did..brings to mind that song..about there goes my baby..with some other guy..ahhh) any way I sold her...and she wouldn't even look at me anymore.....

Solar said...

15,14,13

Carol said...

That's very sad Solar.

Anonymous said...

12,11,10

Anonymous said...

Ivy, I'm not feeding the birds anymore (except the hummers). I stopped, because the bird's predators (cats) were waiting there for them. Since I've stopped feeding them, they haven't caught any birds.

When I did feed though, it was sunflower seeds that they liked, which I bought it in the 50 lb bags at TSC. I have mostly cardinals and blue birds in the spring.

BTW, since I stopped feeding the birds, I have just as many as I had while I was feeding. Apparently there's plenty here for them to eat.

Anonymous said...

"will I still be Alvin, or do we wait until the next thread..."

... we love you, no matter 'who' you are Solar.

Carol, We haven't had that much rain here (although we've had some). It's supposed to be dry and sunny for a few days, so I think things may straighten out for your part. I think it's going to be a great success Carol. The party of the year. :)

Anonymous said...

Coreen, Your morning post is going to be hear just in the nick of time. Ha, St. Nick, that is.


Jan, Hope you're feeling ok. I know you were feeling really bad about your friend. Let us know how you're doing.

I know you are a little down too Mary, about not seeing your son and DIL this Christmas. Just keep thinking about what a great 'grandmother' you're going to be. It won't be long before you find out if it's a girl or a boy.

Anonymous said...

Just got up long enough to have a little hot chocolate. Now I'm going back to finish my countdown. (It almost always works Solar)

Carol said...

A little hot chocolate craving in the wee hours huh Chloe?

Yes we are supposed to have three dry days. Unfortunately, that won't dry out much here now. Will just make the best of it.

Don, I hope everything is OK with you. I don't remember your getting permission to run off without letting us know you are OK. Maybe I missed it but when you return I think you will need a Dr's excuse. Or you could send a note from any hot thing you picked up somewhere. That's just as good of an excuse, actually even better.

Carol said...

I've been a little distressed lately about this new computer software getting ready to go online at work. I'm sure it will be a Godsend for corrections but medical has to participate and it looks like we've been an after thought in the process.

It's suppose to go live in a two weeks, at the end of the year, with all the holidays, and the short work week. You know when I got to see it? Two days ago. Many of my nurses don't even know how to turn on a computer and the only window they know how to work is the open you open to let in some air.

I love new technology and computers. I have one at the end of my arm most of the day but we are already stretched and instead of this saving any time for medical, it looks as if it will just be hours of more work a day for the nurses and clerical to input data. Sometimes, technology is one step forward and five backwards.

I think we could have been included in the design of this program but we weren't. This is not like a hospital, where medicine is the central theme, in corrections we are always a irritating after thought.

Carol said...

That was suppose to read that the only window they know how to work is the one they open to let in some air.

Carol said...

Chloe, I wouldn't put out bird feeders either if I had cats around. Occasionally one or two from the Cat Lady's herd comes down here and sits in wait for my birds. I understand that it is just the circle of life but feel a little guilty that I'm involved in setting those little birds up as an entree.

Fortunately, some of the squirrels starts hollering when they see a cat out there laying in wait. When I hear them I go out and run the cat off.

Carol said...

I took a vacation day today to get ready for my party. I have all my to do lists on my Iphony. I don't think sitting on my butt here is on the list but heck, it is one of my vacation days.

Anonymous said...

"... in corrections we are always an irritating after thought."

Most places would have had a whole training program in place before they changed the entire program on you. This is going to make the beginning of 2010 annoying for you and your nurses. I've got an idea: Send out a memo that no one can be in need of medical treatment until February.

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize how much longer it took things to dry out living on a river Carol. A few hours of sun here (or less) and there are no signs that it ever rained. Probably the main reason where we are, is that we're on sandy soil, so there's never any mud.

Coreen said...

Morning, a really chilly start, like 15 here,
but thankfully the sun is shining.

Carol, hope your area gets at least a little
dried out in time for your guests tomorrow.

Chloe, I spread birdseed (sunflower seeds, woodpecker mix with lots of nuts, songmaker mix, cracked corn) every day, all year,
once you start it, they seem to rely on you
being there. It gets tough when we have several inches of snow & the little birds are
trying to scratch through it, I try to get out
as soon as the snow stops & clear a patch, &
that is not getting any easier, as each year
goes by...

Coreen said...

I started a new post.