Sunday Stealing: Year End Hodge Podge

1. Where have you found unexpected magic or delight this holiday season? I did not find any unexpected magic this holiday season.  Maybe next year.

2. What's your favorite type of holiday gathering? Will you/have you gathered in your favorite way this month? Growing up holiday gatherings were spent at many houses.  We would visit my grandparents and various aunts/uncles and cousins homes.  Those were my favorite holiday gatherings.  I miss those days.

3. Time has named 'The Silence Breakers' (women who came forward with stories of harassment) 'person of the year' for 2017. Would you agree? If not, who do you think deserves the title?  I think that is an odd choice for person of the year. But it is what it is.  I really don't know who "deserves" the person of the year title. 

4. How did you spend your time this year? Are you happy about that? Elaborate  I spent time hanging out with my dog, working, sleeping, running errands, going to doctor appointments and eating.  I am always happy hanging out with my dog, and I am happy when my brain is occupied and not dwelling on negative things. 

5. Bid farewell to 2017 in ten words or less.  May 2018 bring happiness. Good bye 2017.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Random Thought - Don't be unnecessarily mean to anyone or anything.  There is nothing to be gained from being mean.  There seems to be very few nice people left in this world.  Be one of them!

A Week of Shelby

On Tuesday, Shelby had to go to the vet for her Annual Checkup and shots. The Vet said Shelby’s blood work indicated Shelby has been exposed to Lyme disease so we started antibiotics as a cautionary measure.  On the way home, Shelby took a nap. Vet visits are exhausting!

On Thursday, Shelby (aka The Boss) decided early in the evening that it was time to go potty for the night then to go to bed.  Shelby is very good at expressing her feelings with her face.  She could never play poker!  LOL

Shelby's "Bed Time" face.

Shelby's "Potty Time" face.

Friday, I purchased a new "Love Hearts" bandanna for Shelby.  I had to put it on her as soon as I got home so that she could model it.  I think it looks so cute on her!

Bandanna view on the left side.

Bandanna view on the right side.

Today, it is rather cold outside (negative 27 with the wind chill factored in).  Shelby has decided to stay inside all day and snuggle with her blanket and hedgehog. 

Snuggle Time!

Photos (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

This post is linked to Camera Critters

and to Saturday Critters.

eCard of the Week #225: Problems with Everyone

I said, maybe the reason you have so many problems

with everyone is because you're the problem.

She didn't like that.

Happy National Chocolate Candy Day

Happy National Chocolate Candy Day!

All you need is Love.  But a little 

Chocolate now and then doesn't hurt.

2017 Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Photos

Shelby napping on Christmas Eve day.

Christmas morning (sorry for the blurry photo)

Christmas Tree at the in-laws house.

Shelby relaxing at Grandma's house after a busy day.

A gift from my brother-in-law & sister-in-law.  I love it!

Today Was Vet Day

Shelby was tired after seeing the vet today.  She had to go in for her Annual Checkup and shots. 

The Vet said Shelby’s blood work indicated Shelby has been exposed to Lyme disease so we started antibiotics as a cautionary measure.

Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

Merry Christmas 2017

Merry Christmas to all of my family and friends...

those still here on earth and those with us in spirit!

Shelby also says...Merry Christmas to all!!!

 

It's Christmas Eve!!!!

To all my family and friends...

I wish you a very Merry Christmas Eve.

Please be safe in your travels!  Love to all!!!

Christmas Eve, a perfect night to express affection 

for your family, to forgive those who failed you 

and to forget past mistakes.

Happy Festivus

Festivus was conceived by author and editor Daniel O'Keefe, the father of TV writer Dan O'Keefe, and was celebrated by his family as early as 1966. The word Festivus in this sense was coined by the elder O'Keefe, and according to him the name "just popped into my head." In the original O'Keefe tradition, the holiday would take place to celebrate the anniversary of Daniel O'Keefe's first date with his future wife, Deborah. The phrase "a Festivus for the rest of us" originally referred to those remaining after the death of the elder O'Keefe's mother, Jeanette, in 1976; i.e., the "rest of us" are the living, as opposed to the dead.

In 1982, Daniel O'Keefe wrote a book, Stolen Lightning: The Social Theory of Magic, that deals with idiosyncratic ritual and its social significance, a theme relevant to Festivus tradition.

The English word festive derives from Latin "festivus," an adjective meaning "excellent, jovial, lively, which in turn derives from festus "joyous; holiday, feast day."

It is now celebrated on December 23, as depicted in the Seinfeld episode written by the younger O'Keefe.

Read More about Festivus at the following links:
http://festivusweb.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus

From Seinfeld....

Missing Colt At Christmas and Every Day

I do not need a special day to bring you to my mind.

The days I do not think of you are very hard to find.

Each morning when I awake I know that you are gone.

And no one knows the heartache as I try to carry on.

My heart still aches with sadness and secret tears still flow.

What it meant to lose you Colt, no one will ever know.

My thoughts are always with you, your place no one can fill.

In life I loved you dearly; in death I love you still.

Happy Winter Solstice 2017

The Winter Solstice is the time of ending and beginning, 

a powerful time -- a time to contemplate your immortality. 

A time to forgive, to be forgiven, and to make a fresh start. 

A time to awaken.

~*~Frederick Lenz~*~

eCard of the Week #224: Long Term Weight Gain

My favorite part of the holiday season is blaming

my long term weight gain on the holiday season.

Sneaking In A Photo

I was being sneaky and got a photo of Shelby. Hehe

Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

Sunday Stealing: It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like....

1. What’s your favorite thing about the holidays? Getting a few days off from work.

2. Do you send out Christmas cards and if so how many do you send? I use to send cards but have not done so in a few years.  I just cannot get into it again. 

3. Be honest: holiday newsletters. Love ‘em or hate ‘em? I hate sending out a holiday newsletter.  I don't mind receiving one now and then.

4. Be honest: photo cards. Love ‘em or hate ‘em? I love photo cards.

5. How soon do you start shopping? Christmas Eve or the day before Christmas Eve.

6. Real or fake tree? Fake tree.

7. When do you put up your tree? If I put one up it is the week after Thanksgiving.

8. When do you take down your tree? The day after Christams.

9. Describe your typical tree (size, decorations, type): Small tree, minimal decorations.  (See photo on the left to see what my tree looks like this year.)

10. What do you top your tree with? Nothing

11. Do you put Christmas lights outside your house? I have been in the house I current live in for 9 years.  This year was the first year I put lights outside.  The lights are only around the door.

12. Is there a wreath hanging on your door? No.  the wreath is hanging on my front deck.

13. Do you hang up stockings? No

14. Your favorite Christmas Movie(s): A Christmas Story, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, The Grinch and Elf.

15. Be honest: A Christmas movie you don't like: Bad Santa

16. Favorite Christmas Song(s): The Little Drummer Boy, and nearly everything the Trans Siberian Orchestra does.

17. Be honest: If I hear this/these Christmas songs again I will throw up: None I can think of.

18. Give or Receive? Give

19. Eggnog or Mulled Cider? Eggnog

20. Ham or Turkey? Turkey

Saturday Critters: Shelbacca

Shelby's Christmas gift came in the mail today.  

She is now the owner of a Chewbacca coat!  

It is a little hard to see in the photos I took. 

 I think she likes it!

 

 

Photos (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

This post is linked to Saturday Critters.

eCard of the Week #223: May You Earn More Money...

May you earn more money

than you spend online today.

Sunday Stealing: Bah Humbug!

TV show I loathe: Will And Grace

Movie I loathe: The old Planet of the Ape movies

Music genres I loathe: Opera and some classical music

Magazine which annoys me: People

Makes me cranky at restaurant: Rude wait staff

Makes me cranky in public: Crowds, crazy drives, rude people

Makes me impatient at home: When things break

Makes me impatient at work: Rude customers

Celebrity I hate: Angelina Jolie

Music artist I hate: None that I can think of.

I could care less about: a lot of things.

Blogger's habit that annoys you: Leaving rude or misinformed comments.

Feature on your blog you hate: I removed the features I hated.

Politician that you hate: No one in particular.  I just don't like politics in general.

Sleeping In On The First Snow Day

This morning we woke up to the first snow of the season. 

 We got about a half inch of snow….just enough that I had to shovel the deck and sidewalks.

Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

Shelby decided it is too cold outside and chose to nap the day away.

Sleepy Shelby
Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

She caught me taking photos!!
Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

Photos (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

This post is linked to Saturday Critters.

eCard of the Week #222: Click Flip Flops To Get To The Beach

If Dorothy can click her heels together and get to Kansas,

then why can't I click my flip flops together and get to the beach?

Missing You My Son...Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

I miss you yesterday. I miss you today today and I will miss you tomorrow.

No matter how long it’s been since you left this world, 

there are times when it suddenly becomes so very hard for me to breathe.

I try to keep myself busy. But memories always sneak through

. Tears flow daily, sometimes several times a day.

The heartache I feel over losing you, my son, 

is the kind of heartache one can feel deep down in their bones.

I just want to hug you, to hear your voice, to hear you play the drums. 

I want to share songs, talk about your day and what the future holds. 

 I want to hear your laugh, see your smile and just be near you.

I love you son, forever and always.

Bunnies, Shelby and the Christmas Decor

There are two bunnies that like to hang out at my house.

Bunny #1 is usually hanging out under my husbands truck.

Bunny #2 hangs out under my old Jeep.
 

Last Sunday, Shelby supervised while we put up the Christmas Tree.
 As you can see in the photo below of Shelby, being as supervisor is hard work! LOL

 
Photos (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

It's Hailing and It's December! lol

Welcome to crazy Wisconsin weather! 

It was hailing last night! 
The weather must be confused! It's December!  

Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

Photo (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

CP Holiday Train 2017

Just a short video I took of the Holiday Train passing through tonight.

Find out more about the Holiday Train at www.cpr.ca/en/community/holiday-train

Video (c)2017 Shannon G. Wamsley

Sunday Stealing: A Book Meme

1. Do you prefer hardcover, paperback, or Kindle...and why? I prefer to read hardcover books.  However, I have found I read more paperbacks than I do hardcovers...mostly because of the price difference.  I do own a Kindle and I have the Kindle app on several of my personal devises, but I don't use it much.

2. If I were to own a book shop I would call it ..."Escape Into Imagination"

3. My favorite quote from a book (mention the title) is ...“We are never very far from those we hate. For this very reason, we shall never be truly close to those we love.”  Found in “Cold Skin” by Albert Sanchez Pinol © 2002; Translated by Cheryl Leah Morgan © 2005

4. The author (alive or dead) I would love to have lunch with would be ...Margaret Mitchell

5. If I was going to a deserted island and could only bring one book, except for the SAS survival guide, it would be ...Gone With The Wind.  I have read Gone With The Wind many. many. many times and will read it many, many, many more times.

6. I would love someone to invent a bookish gadget that ...holds my place when I fall asleep with a book in my hands.

7. The smell of an old book reminds me of ....being a carefree, imaginative child.

8. If I could be the lead character in a book (mention the title), it would be....Scarlet in Gone With The Wind.  However, I would like to change some of her behaviors and her way of thinking on a few topics.

9. The most over-rated book of all time is....a few of the classics.  People tend to get defensive when told things like Wuthering Heights is over rated.

10. I hate it when a book....ends, without really ending the story.  The older I get, the less I like "cliff  hangers".