A Likely Story!

Last Look At 2007

Here's what I learned in 2007.

* ALWAYS listen to your gut feeling

* Actions speak louder than words

* Karma. What goes around DOES come around. And she will be a bitch when she comes for you or those you love.

* Trust is a good thing

* Trust is a bad thing

* Say I love you as often as you can but only if you mean it.

* Don't say I love you if you don't mean it

* Never assume. It may not make an ass out of you and me, but still, don't assume.

* The people that say they will never hurt you are the ones that will hurt you.

* ALWAYS have money set aside for a rainy day

* It will rain when you least expect it

* Politeness, neatness and compassion will never go out of style

* Think a thought 3 times before you say it

* Always forgive...but you don't have to forget

* Just cause you're doing what you think is the right thing doesn't make it right

* Life is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Decide how you want your life to play out.

* True-honest-to-goodness friends are rare and priceless. Treat them accordingly

* Life is cyclical. If you're unhappy now, just wait, things will get better. The reverse is also true.

* Always believe in yourself.

Spotlight On...

Howard

Decided I would devote the last week of the year to spotlight several blogs I read on a daily basis. Today's pick is Howard.

Howard. Howard. Howard

The man is busier than a one-armed paperhanger.

Besides juggling his :

- Full-time job

- Weekend job

- Improv Group

- Running the soundboard for The Rodents

- Writing music reviews

- Having a social life

- Sleeping every now and then

He also has his own blog.

The perfect marriage of wit and intelligence, caring and calling bullshit when needed, always funny and NEVER boring.

It was difficult to pick just one favorite Howard post since I love so many of them.

This one seems to fit the season. So here you go.

5th Grade Nickname

Spotlight On...

Jeff C.

Decided I would devote the last week of the year to spotlight several blogs I read on a daily basis. Today's pick is Jeff C. Jeff is a funny guy. He performs with funny people. He sings funny songs. He is all about the fun.

Yet even the funny people have a serious side to them.

Of Bridges and Politics

Spotlight On...

Sean Bonner

Decided I would devote the last week of the year to spotlight several blogs I read on a daily basis. Today's pick is Sean Bonner. I have never met Sean in person. Have followed his blog for the last 3 years and I find his writing and his outlook on life fascinating. Check him out.

Minor updates on major changes

Spotlight On...

HDW.

Decided I would devote the last week of the year to spotlight several blogs I read on a daily basis. Today's pick is my buddy HDW.

One of the best writers...and friends...I have been blessed to have in my life. I especially love her 'Love Thursdays' where she talks about her dad and the special bond they shared. If you are not already reading her blog, you should.

Here's one reason why :

Like a postcard of a Golden Retriever

Sick And Tired

Don't know about you, but my parents always had to say those two words together :-)

I managed to pick up a cold or flu bug...can't tell which...but I feel pretty crappy and out of it...and tired like you can't believe. Next three work days will be slammed so there really is no time to be sick. Plus I start the part-time job I can't blog about on Sunday so I have to be healthy for that.

Not to worry, dear blog readers. I have given consideration to your needs for minimum bloggity blog requirements.

Watch this space over the next couple of days. Don't blink, ok?

My Facebook Horoscope

Sagittarius: Two important people are about to enter your life, changing the course of the next year in a major way.

Hmmm. Doesn't mention if my life will be changed for the good or bad. Guess I'll just have to wait and see. Sorta kinda hope it's good, ya know?

Thanks Dad And Mom

My Dad and Mom were very generous (what else is new?) and gave me this for my Birthday/Hanukkah present :

A snowthrower...yay!

The winter of 2006 prompted my parents to get me a snowthrower. This one runs on gas. And guess who procrastinated at getting a container to put said gas into?

Craftsman. Good stuff. Works even better with gas.

And look what Santa brought me. Snow! And my very own snow drift to call my own. Gee, thanks Santa!

Note to self. Procrastination = not good.

So what did YOU get for Christmas?

Hope Santa Is Good To You!

"Hope Santa is good to you". That's what my Dad always says whenever he calls anyone...family, relatives, friends anytime around Christmas. Of course, after Christmas he changes to "Hope Santa was good to you".

My family has a yearly tradition where every family member that is able shows up at my parents house on Christmas Eve. Friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and second cousins twice removed are welcome. My parents go all out and cook for two days prior in preparation for the feast. Attendance usually numbers in the low 30's to the mid-50's....mostly immediate family and some friends.

Here's a pic from our family reunion this past August with some (not all) of my family...

In the spirit of recycling, here's an ode to my family that I wrote back in Dec 2004. Keep in mind I was living in FL at that time which reflected some of the phrases I used.

Merry Christmas to those of you that celebrate and oh yeah...hope Santa is good to you!

For My Family (24 Dec 2004)

‘Twas the night before Christmas
And I’m on the phone
My family’s in CA
And I’m here alone

A yearly tradition
Takes place once again
The whole crowd comes over
Eats, drinks, and settles in

My parents have been cooking
For over two days
More food than you can fathom
It’s our Irish-Hungarian ways

There’s ham, turkey, meatballs
Dinner rolls too
Aunt Maggie’s Jello Salad
And yeah, lots of booze

The house is crammed tight
With sisters and brothers
Dozens of cousins
And numerous others

Then suddenly the phone rings
Yep, that would be me
Calling to chat
With Diane then Denise

Tommy, then Matthew
Dad, Mom, Nichole &Terry
Patrick my brother
They all sound so merry

Then Mike, Kelly, Lindsay
Auntie Chele and Brian
Jeff, Casey, Erika,
I wanna start cryin’

Devon, Darian, Heather
Lori, Mr & Mrs G
Hopefully Patrick and maybe Damaris?

My family’s all there
And me, I am not
I’m back here in FL
80 degrees, humid and hot

I miss them so much
And love them much more
So I call on Christmas Eve
Instead of walking thru their door.

I talk to everyone
To see what is new
To tell them I love them
I know they love me too

Thank goodness for phone calls
It’s part of the night
It’s just like I’m with them
And that feels just right

Merry Christmas, Guys... I Love You!

Oh Please Oh Please Oh Please

Caught tonite's Av's game vs the Vancouver Canucks with my buddies Andrew and Shmeder. Awesome game, Av's won 3-1, good time was had by all and our seats were KILLER! Right behind the goal, Section 112, 8th row.

Halfway thru the first period I told Shmeder that for once, I would really really really like to see an Av's player bust out an Ice Capade-y move. Yeah, I know it'll never happen. But how cool would it be if it did? I can hope!