Merry Christmas 2011

I've been honored to have been invited for Christmas dinner with my neighbor Michelle and her family and am looking forward to seeing Bryce, Gracie and Ana open their gifts -- not to mention Michelle's fabulous cooking!

Here's yet another tradition for Christmas here at my poor neglected blog. It's my favorite holiday song as done by the late great Nat King Cole who, in my not so humble opinion, is one of finest voices (if not THE finest) to ever grace the world! (Can y'all guess that I'm getting set in my ways? :) )

Enjoy!!!



And I have to tip my cap to these fine lads out of respect for my ancestors.



Merry Christmas!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!

Kay

Quick Holiday Update

'Twas the day before Christmas and I'm almost but not quite ready for it. I've felt pretty "Bah! Humbug!" all week! and think I've a wee cold. Not from snow and cold -- but rain and temps in the 40s. It's Christmas Eve and it's only snowed once and it last about twenty minutes -- not that I like snow all that much but it doesn't seem right without it. Here are a few things to bring y'all up to speed.

* I saw the endocrinologist this week and it was all good. The nodules on my thyroid aren't growing and my blood work was good.

* Jeff's annual open house went very well. The turnout was better than usual -- probably due to his recent illness. I got tired of being asked if we were back together. I was just helping because Alec asked. Alec is 87 and I can't say 'no' to him. It was nice to see some people I hadn't seen in a while.

* Alec flew to Florida on Tuesday and Jeff and Shaughnessy traveled by limo and took their time getting down there. Normally Jeff drives for an extended stay but the doc said, "No!" Hopefully, he'll be back to normal by the time he gets back in April or May. (And, of course, I've been appointed to keep an eye on things.)

* I'm ready for Christmas -- all the presents are wrapped and some decorations are up. Bryce and I discovered that most of my decorations were ruined by a some leaks in my basement. I was really unhappy because most of my favorite things were casualties. Oh well, I guess it's an opportunity to hit the after Christmas sales -- which would be nice if I weren't broke. Sigh. According to some 'friends', that's my own damned fault. I guess I'm supposed to have a dollar sign for a heart. I'm not for sale.

* Speaking of heartless greed, my Grinch of 2011 Award goes to: Ta-da!!! Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) who tried to steal Christmas as well as 2012 and even his fellow Republicans rebelled -- probably with Election 2012 planted firmly in mind. Am I being cynical? Hell yeah!!!

* Hat tip to M.E. aka Xtreme English for reminding me of another fun video from the elegant Eartha!!!!



Enjoy your Christmas Eve!!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

A Thinking Cap Tradition

Eartha Kitt is definitely one of my heroes. In addition to her glorious career as a singer and actress, she was a tough and courageous lady who rose above many obstacles to succeed. She's no longer with us but her legacy lives on with her distinctive voice and style.

Here's a holiday video that has become a Christmas tradition here. Do enjoy Miss Eartha in sable at age 79 . . .



Isn't she just fabulous????

Merry Christmas and Happy Blogging!!!!!

Kay

It's the Groaner of the Week!!!!

'Tis the season . . . for Christmas groaners!!!!!!  Enjoy!!!!!

A wealthy yacht owner decided to give his crew a Christmas party in
port. He went ashore to round up evergreens, food, musicians and gifts.
When he returned, he found all the greens being installed, but on the
wrong ship. "Ahoy!"  he shouted, running down the dock

"You're treeing up the wrong barque."

Happy Blogging!!!!

Kay

Merry Christmas to All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's my very favorite Christmas song from one of my very favorite artists. Nat had a voice like velvet!!! I could -- an d have been known to listen to him allll day!!!! (Ain't being single grand? LOL) Enjoy!!!!!!



Here's another favorite Christmas song from another of my favorite artists!!! About twenty years ago I had the honor of seeing him perform with our local symphony and yes, he plays truly wonderful classical guitar.



May all the blessings of this blessed season come to all y'all whether you celebrate it or not!!! And that's from the bottom of my heart!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Christmas Eve: Update and Light Show

It's Christmas Eve and I am home and home is where I'm supposed to be. I'm not supposed to be on my feet too much which is damned hard when a body lives alone. I feel bad because I haven't visiting y'all as much as I'd like but I can't keep my leg elevated properly here at my desk. Sooooooo I'm watching lots of movies and feeling guilty because I'm so behind on things.

In the past I've featured the beer bottle Christmas trees and they were fun. I'm sure it's a case of upsmanship that spawned this masterpiece of from VK Vodka bottles! They appear to be full. Back in the day, my running buddies and I would have seriously considered emptying them a challenge! Enjoy!!!!!



Here's wishing all y'all Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Bah Humbug -- pick one or all!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

It's a Tough Time of the Year!!!!

I've been trying very hard to be positive through this blessed season, but as y'all know, I haven't felt well at all for quite a while. I even did some Christmas shopping for my grandnieces and nephew and my neighbor's kids and drove up to Akron to deliver the former to my brother today and actually caught them home. I guess I'm spending Christmas alone and I think I'm okay with it given the circumstances. The good news is that they gave me a photo of my new grandnephew, Carter, Last night my left foot felt weird so I yanked off my sock and the top of my foot was scarlet and swollen. I immediately went and grabbed one of the frozen gel packs I keep in my freezer and put it on the area. This morning it was worse.

After I left my brother's house I headed to the walk-in clinic that is on the way home. Mercifully, they weren't busy and took me right away and quickly diagnosed my problem: cellulitis. For now I am to keep my foot elevated, keep lotion on it and take heavy duty antibiotics twice a day. If you click above on the link, you can learn about it. I am scared because it can be deadly and I hope we caught it in time. I will be seeing Dr. Maria on Monday for my six month checkup so that kills two birds with one stone and is probably a harbinger of yet another doctor's appointment. Do any of y'all know anything about this? If so, please email me here. I am scared.

After I left the clinic, I stopped at the grocery and got food for the holiday weekend and then headed to the pharmacy for my scrip. The biggest challenge when one lives alone is staying off one's feet so this not fun. I tried to call Michelle because want to set up a time for Bryce and Gracie to come over for cookies and presents and I need Bryce to help with a couple things, but she hasn't returned my call. Sigh.

I know it's a tough time for a lot of people. This video came in today and all I can say is: been there; done that; couldn't afford the T-shirt. We're hurtin out there, folks!



And this one is a hoot!



If I remember correctly (and I can't bet the ranch on that), this came out when I (and some of y'all) was a kid.



Wish I had better news!!!!

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!

Kay

Christmas Fun from Uncle Sam

Yup, I'm still grumpy but reasonably prepared!!! I hope y'all are as ready for Christmas. I'm as ready as I'm gonna be for it. I'm not doing anything except having Bryce and Racy Gracie over for cookies and loot and depending on what the doc says, I'll be heading down to volunteer at my parish's dinner for the those in need.

Something fun for the grands on Christmas Eve from Norad. Heck!!!! I like it, too!!! And they've added some really neat stuff like tracking Santa on your mobile phone as well as a game each day!

Here's the Admiral who leads NORAD to tell y'all about it!



And here's video Santa and his reindeer as they travelled around world last year!!!
Cool!



I remember when this song came out and it filled the airways and flew out of the store when I was about eleven and my sister, age eight, and I drove our mom nuts begging for it. I still think it's fun! Hope y'all do, too!



Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

It's the Christmas Groaner of the Week!

[Note: I'm taking the week off from politics and will be trying to acquire an iota of Christmas cheer. Somehow I suspect that the only way that will truly happen is if I drink it! LOL]

It's Christmas Week and since y'all are probably tired of all the shopping, decorating, and all the other assorted nonsense related to The Season. Soooo here's my Christmas gift to all y'all: three excellent groooaaaannnnnssss to help get you through!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!

Morris Crisp was very sad when his father passed away. When his mother
remarried to a retired Navy captain named Arthur Ness, and made Morrie
take the name of his stepfather, Morrie felt she was betraying the
memory of his father. After he grew up, and his mother died, Morrie had
Arthur committed to a nursing home and bilked him of his life savings.
When he was caught, the newspapers read . . . "Morrie Crisp-Ness fleeces Navy Dad!"

You should always test the goose's skin for doneness before "giving
your guests the bird" at dinnertime, because a soggy-skinned goose is
not only unappealing to eat but . . . it violates the spirit of Merry Crispness.

A wealthy yacht owner decided to give his crew a Christmas party in
port. He went ashore to round up evergreens, food, musicians and gifts.
When he returned, he found all the greens being installed, but on the
wrong ship. "Ahoy!!!!!" he shouted, running down the dock . . . "You're
treeing up the wrong barque."

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Happy Chanukah!!!

Merry Kwanza!!!

Happy Solstice!!!!

Happy Holidays!!! (I hope this covers anyone I left out!)

Kay

It's the Groaner of the Week!!!!!!

Thanks to every one who stopped by with congrats yesterday!!! Your friendship and support keeps me going!!!!!

I'm starting the Christmas groaners season!!! This one also has Star Wars theme!!!
Enjoy!!!!!!!

Long ago Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker had a battle over Cloud City.
The depiction of that fight in the Lucas film was fairly accurate,
but it left out a few details.

It seems that, during the course of the fracas, more words were
exchanged while the two of them were temporarily clenched with their
weapons locked against each other, and apparently the director must have
felt that some editing would make the dialogue a bit snappier, so some
was snipped out. So here's what they said to each other . . .

Vader: "Luke, there is something that you do not know."

Luke: "What's that?"

Vader: "Luke, I know, beyond doubt, what you are getting for Christmas."

Luke: "You're wrong. You can't know that."

Vader: "Nevertheless, it is so."

Luke: "I don't believe you! This isn't possible!"

Vader: "Trust me, Luke, I do know what you are getting for Christmas. I know
it with the same degree of certainly as I know of the inevitability of
the failure of your pitiful rebellion."

Luke: "You can't know that. The rebellion will succeed!"

Vader: "I know a great many things, Luke. Join with me, let me show you the
true power of the Dark Side of the force, and together we can destroy
the emperor!"

Luke: "Is that why you think you know what I'm going to get for Christmas?
You think your mastery of the Dark Side can show you the future?"

Vader: "The Dark Side shows me many things, Luke, but I did not need it for this."

Luke: "Then how do you know what I'm getting?"

Vader: "It's very simple, Luke . . . I have felt your presents."

Errrrrrrrrr . . . I gotta/better run! LOL

Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Kicking off Christmas

Despite all the you-know-what in the news that set me a-thinking, I decided it was time to think about something more fun -- if for no other reason than that my blood pressure will thank me! LOL Here is my favorite Christmas video. It's become a tradition here and I like to begin my personal celebration with it!!! I was in grade school when this came out and loved it and began my long admiration for the late great Eartha Kitt. I miss Eartha's impeccable, incomparable, and inimitable style. She was definitely one of a kind!!!!! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Hope y'all are having a great day!!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!

Kay

Random Post-Christmas Thoughts

Hope y'all celebrated the holiday long and well!!!! It was a nice enough holiday here. I went to Midnight mass and did my stint at the parish the next day which is always fulfilling. Things are so bad here that we, as usual, ran out of food and that I bothers me but I do realize is that all we can do is our best and we do. With a 12% unemployment rate (which I think y'all know is a false figure because it doesn't count those unemployment benefits have run out), many are in need. A couple of the regulars who spend Christmas like me stopped at my place afterwards for Kay's Infamous Killer eggnog and snacks. It was fun.

* Brice, my young neighbor, brought me some baklava made by his Greek grandmother. Serious yum! It's probably my favorite dessert and I'm trying hard not to commit the deadly sin of gluttony and make it last a while!

* Diane stopped earlier this week with her special potatoes and some ham for my Christmas dinner. Someone gave her a ham for Christmas and she really isn't supposed to have it so she baked it and divided it between herself, her mom and moi.
I truly appreciate her thinking of me.

* I spoke with my son and his family -- Jen, my daughter-in-law, sounded like a box full of birds; the boys were wound up with excitement over their gifts -- Drake reminds me of my son at that age -- very chatty and Connor is like his Aunt Kate who hates to talk on the phone but he did fine; and Eric seemed really relaxed and happy. I was delighted.

* My buddy/decorator, Richard, stopped and I was so glad -- I hadn't heard from him in an eon!!! He seems to finally be getting over his mom's death. I, of course, gave him hell for making me worry. We agreed that one of our 'treasure hunt' and dinner days is far overdue. He finally got a cell phone and it's now easier for me to track him down. (huge grin)

* Marcia called and we had a great conversation and made plans to get together soon.

* I spoke with my stepmom, too, and she had news of my dad's family as well news of my favorites among her many nieces and nephews. As always, we had a good talk.

* I'm leaving my Christmas stuff up until New Year's Day. I like it.

* No snow for Christmas. In fact, I don't think we've had 2 inches of snow yet. Seriously weird! I haven't had to pay anyone to shovel. My trusty bag of salt has done the trick!

* Here's a favorite song from one of my favorite musicals by the lady who sang it first and sang it best for all you Buckeye fans out there to help you get in the spirit for the bowl game next week!



Happy Blogging!!!!!

Kay

St. Stephen's Day

One of my favorite carols is "Good King Wencelas" and here is an excellent rendition by Lorena McKennit whose lovely voice really does it justice!



The day after Christmas, December 26th, is St. Stephen's Day. St. Stephen was the Church's first martyr. Many countries celebrate his day and nearly all include include acts of charity but I, of course given my forbears, enjoy the way the Irish, who call it the Day of the Wren, celebrate it best. Here's a video of one of the annual parades known as the Wrenboys parade to collect alms for the poor:



In the UK they celebrate Boxing Day on the 26th of December and it has become mostly a shopping day but it derives from the tradition of giving seasonal gifts to less wealthy people and social inferiors. Until their distribution, these gifts were stored in a "Christmas box," which was opened on December 26, when the contents were distributed. In the United Kingdom, this was later extended to include various workers such as laborers and servants. I like the original tradition better than the present one and prefer the Irish way over both. An excuse to have a wee pint and help others works for me! LOL

My favorite Irishmen -- The Clancy Brothers -- sing a traditional song for this holiday:



Happy Blogging and Happy Wren's Day!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

My Favorite Christmas Songs

What is becoming a tradition here is my favorite song by a favorite singer on one our favorite days! Enjoy!!!!!!!



And here is my favorite Christmas carol which is the only time I sing in public. It's always the last hymn at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. This version is performed by Mannheim Steamroller in their inimitable style. Again -- enjoy!!!!



I wish you all a very happy and a very blessed Christmas!!!!! And I hope you're spending it with the ones you love and the ones who love you back!!!!!!

Happy Christmas and Happy Blogging!!!!!!!

Kay

Time to Start Celebrating

It's Christmas Eve and the Kay has decided that we all need to take a breather from all the idiocy surrounding us and give thought to the Reason for the Season and, after paying our respects to God and his Son, we should rejoice in what we have no matter how small or how great our blessings are. Hallelujah and Amen, my brothers and sisters!!!! Hope your Christmas is filled with blessings!!!!

Here are few things I found in my wanderings that range from weird to fun!

Here's a Christmas project that I think could keep me busy for the coming year!!!!!! (hiccup)



I love Christmas lights and these, accompanied by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra playing a medley from "The Nutcracker" are truly magnificent!



And here are my favorite guys for Christmas fun -- Straight No Chaser!



Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!

Kay

Let's Have Some Fun!!!!!!!

It's countdown time!!! Lots going on in Kay's World. I'm busy with appointments with the legion of my docs and more to come. I'm cleaning house a bit because it needs it and I might have company -- stranger things have happened in Kay's World.

My plans for Christmas? I'll be at Midnight Mass on the Eve and volunteering at the dinner my parish sponsors for the poor the next day. I always enjoy both. I'm also making my infamous egg nog and told a few friends to stop by if they can on Christmas afternoon/evening to savor its glory. LOL If they don't, I guess I'll drink it all myself! LOL

Here's a clip from the film "White Christmas" that never fails to make me laugh!!! I thought you might like a break from the usual Christmas schmaltz!!!



Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

It's the Groaner of the Week!!!!!!!!!!!

I dug around the archives because I thought y'all would appreciate a holiday theme. Apologies to those of you are Jewish -- there simply aren't many Hanukkah groaners so I hope you enjoy this one. It gave me the giggles!!!!

After hearing the Christmas story, and singing "Silent Night" a Sunday
School Class of six-year-olds was asked to draw what they thought the
Nativity Scene might have looked like. One boy did a good likeness of
Joseph, Mary and the infant, but off to the side was a roly-poly figure.
The teacher, afraid that he had somehow worked Santa Claus into the
scene asked him who that was. She wasn't sure whether she was relieved
or even more worried when the boy responded, ...

Are y'all ready?


(Don't forget to sing the punchline!!!!)


"Oh, that's Round John Virgin."


Happy Blogging and Happy Solstice!!!!!!!!

Kay

Snowy Saturday Thoughts and Updates

Wow!!!!! It's Saturday and we're in the midst of our first real snow -- I actually had to get out my snow brush and I put on what I call my stomper boots. I'm not certain how much we're due to get but I brushed over an inch off Miss Ruby this morning because I had to go to the bank to deposit a check which seemed rather surreal.

I realized how rare my visits are to that institution -- I have my SS check on automatic deposit and do most of my banking online but I recall the days when my appearance there at least once a week was almost mandatory and all the tellers knew me by name. I sort of miss that. The computer is making the comfort of human contact a thing of the past and de-personalizing us. Sad. I have whole weeks where I have no real contact other human beings other than my computer. I'm not certain that's a good thing -- convenience isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

* I got my Part D fixed for the coming year and am keeping my current provider. I'm going to pay the $7.66 (which works out to sixty-three cents a month) that Ohio wouldn't pay. Letters have gone out to my state senator and state representatives asking how much the lobbyists paid them because there doesn't seem to be any benefit for us elders. I also mentioned that my vote will be damned hard to get next election and won't hesitate to pass on what I've learned.

* Saw Dr. Maria this week and I have a new scrip -- she said my potassium was a little high and not to worry about it too much but my daily banana has got to go. Sigh.

* Dr. Krishna's (hare hare) PA called and there was no mention of potassium so I guess the diet is off but he ordered another scrip that Medicare doesn't pay for and that's twelve bucks I can't afford every 2 months. He sent me for a thyroid scan last evening so I'm sure they'll call next week with results. Pray.

* I actually felt human a couple days this week and got some things done. I think I have put my finger on part of my health problems.

* Tuesday I see my favorite doctor -- Dr. Jamie, my ophthamologist, for my annual exam and follow-up on my eye infection that I'm pretty sure has healed. He is handsome and fun so it's always a joy. He always pats me on the head because I've done so well since my cataract surgery and always asks about my blog. He thought it a riot that I wrote about it on my blog. His office is a happy place.

* My stepmom sent me a small check for Christmas. I am grateful -- she isn't rich so I, in some ways, wish she hadn't. It also means I can't say I got nothing for Christmas. I have had an itch all week to head up north but the white stuff this morning sorta was a gentle reminder that I really don't want to take that risk. And my undone dental work is also a factor. Sigh.

* Boston Tea Party anniversary responses: From my Congressman: 'We have received your email. Thank you for contacting our office. Due to the increased interest in how Congress is working for Ohioans, please know it may take some time to respond to your particular inquiry'; from Senator Voinovich: nada, zero, zip -- he's retiring and hardly did anything useful anyway-- I liked him when he was governor here; from Senator Brown: "We have received your email. Thank you for contacting our office. Due to the increased interest in how Congress is working for Ohioans, please know it may take some time to respond to your particular inquiry." No one even read it. I have never voted for this idiot and never will. At least Boccieri was polite. I was heartened when I saw 'increased interest in how Congress is working for Ohioans'. It tells me that I'm not alone in my frustration -- we're all mad as hell and want answers! I hope y'all had better results than I did. The phone calls went slightly better but not great.

* Word to the Wise: Y'all may be having teen visitors during the holidays, be careful about letting them use your computer. I don't care how good they are, they go to junky sites the collect all sorts of crapola. Brice was over the other day and he screwed up my computer to a fare-thee-well! I had to do a system restore and assorted other nonsense that I hate to do. And I'm still not sure I have everything right yet.

I hope y'all are ready for the holidays! My decorations are up but my heart really isn't in it. I got my Straight No Chaser CD and it's a delight -- it almost cured my malaise! If you missed my post on them, check it out!!!!!

Here's a video that I found that is a definite mood brightener. It's a blast from my misspent youth and it actually got me out of my chair and dancin' around the house! Enjoy!!!!!!



Happy Blogging!!!!!!

Kay

A Little Bit of Christmas

I've gone on record as being devoid of Christmas spirit this year. It just isn't happening for various reasons. However, far be it from me to rain on anyone else's parade.

I do have a respect for tradition. And a tradition at Kay's Thinking Cap is the video below. Miss Eartha left us last year on Christmas Day at age 81 to go to that big stage in the heavens and wow the angels with her distinctive voice and signature grrrooooowwwwwlllllll. Enjoy as you recall that she was 79 when this performance took place.



I miss you, Miss Eartha! What a hell of a lady you were!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!

Kay

'Tis the Season to Laugh!!!!!!

I've been awfully crabby of late and these guys reminded me that it's high time we had some fun!!!!!

This is video is really a hoot!!!!! If you don't laugh, I recommend that you have your funny bone checked by your doctor.



This video describes them as "what happens when ten guys go stag to the Prom". LOL Its fun, too.

This awesome group got together at Indiana University as a men's a Capella group and wound up (after 10 million hits on YouTube) with a five-album contract and appearances across the country. If y'all like this (and I'm sure you do) visit their site where there's another great video that features a fun song called "Who Spiked the Eggnog?" or look them up on YouTube. I think I'm going to order their CD -- maybe a couple for gifts, too.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Blogging!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kay