Merry Christmas!!!

Last year I did not feed the birds in my backyard. Fortunately my neighbors had just built their new home next door and Jack feeds the birds faithfully. I think I was overwhelmed with my new position in life... and afraid to use the deck stairs in wintery snowy conditions. Earlier this year, when I was down with the 'creeeping crud' - I even considered giving all my bird seed to Jack!

Well Friday I finished Christmas shopping and while in town I bought four new feeders. Yesterday I loaded them up - moved my other 'shepherd's hook' from the garden and placed it with the other. Less than two hours later Mr. Squirrel arrived. He looked up and left... I guess he didn't figure he could get up there easily. He was pretty plump so I think he has easier targets in the neighborhood. Shortly after he left the chickadees began stopping in!

This morning - loads of birds!!! What a beautiful surprise on Christmas morning!
Merry Christmas!

Yup, I'm here....

Wasn't getting my photos uploaded. Wasn't sure if it was the new Blogger or the new Microsoft IE7 browser... I'm not too happy with the new browser... it takes up a whole extra tool bar space at top! Not gonna download it on my other computer.

Well I just upgraded to the new Blogger and now I can share my photos of the Salvation Army kettle workers on the island of Molokai. I just absolutely love the Hawaiian people! It just seemed so strange seeing the lady ringing her bell with the same kettle we see on the mainland... but she was just wearing a pretty red dress!... and the guys were in t-shirts!

In case I don't make it back here tomorrow - Merry Christmas!!!

A bit of 'my' Hawaii...

Susan caught this dramatic shot on our mule ride voyage on the island of Molokai. That's Jan to left in foreground and me just in front of one of our guides. She must have actually stopped her mule to take this picture because I took - like - zillions of shots but none this good. It is not what you would call a really smooth ride. Suffered no aches, bumps or bruises though, so does that mean I'm a natural with the mule?

The entire ride was this dramatic. Yes that's the ocean out there! The scenery is gorgeous, the plant life is diverse and beautiful. The company was delightful - fellow tourists and tour guides alike.

I would not trade one moment of that fantastic trip for anything!

....and I promise more photos to follow. I'm feeling much better - the cold has become almost 'normal' meaning that I sneeze just like anybody else without having a coughing fit... and I'm out and about getting things done... but not gonna push it, I promise!

I picked up the Monday Madness questions for this week...

..and couldn't find an easy way to answer any of them. Here is the MM challenge this week:
Monday Madness: OttO says....
This week's questions come from our good friend, and faithful participant, gabrielle. Thanks so much for your questions, Gabrielle!! And everyone, thank you for playing and have a wonderful week! (I may be taking Christmas Day off, which is in 2 weeks, so if you don't see questions posted that day, don't panic. I will certainly be back the following week.) =)

1. What song gives you the most holiday cheer?

2. Who is the hardest person to shop for on your holiday list?

3. When do you start your holiday shopping?

4. What food or drink do you love when it's cold out? (Recipes and recommendations, please!)

5. What do you do to get rid of a cold or flu?

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Do not bother reading any further if you only want to see MM answers. You will not find answers to these questions here on my site today. So maybe I'll lose friends - well maybe not real friends and maybe I'll turn some folks off because I'm just an ol' bah-humbug granni - well not really - I've always LOVED Christmas and the whole season. Anyway, this blog is sort of based on the above questions...

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I'm just getting over a cold or flu-thing. I've had it for more than a week now. I first noticed it the day I returned home from San Diego... it was a Friday I think, postponed to that from Thursday because I had fallen and my San Diego family didn't want me to leave until they knew I was okay... which I wasn't but it's not their fault. Well, I was okay as far as the fall was concerned...

so in answer to question 5 - I've been taking care of myself as though I was taking care of anybody I love - staying home, keeping warm, drinking lots of liquids, especially warm ones - green tea and hot chocolate (with Splenda), and a whole package of Thera-Flu (3 cups a day spread over a two-day period - Thank you Natalie!!!). Didn't feel like eating much - so when I felt like eating I ate whatever was in my house that sounded good... I have a small chest freezer, a big freezer on my fridge and a big pantry. When Frank was alive we kept them full and I've been trying to empty them for more than a year now. Can you believe I've actually lost 10 pounds eating stuff like fish sandwich in pita bread with cheese.... and ice cream sundaes made by heating homemade applesauce from my neighbor and putting it over a nice big helping of Butter Pecan ice cream!!!! Maybe I just don't want to be well... I LIKE losing weight.

...and for the rest of the questions - Close your eyes and imagine:

• The love of your life died a year and three months ago.
• You live alone and keep abnormally busy learning to adapt.
• Your other beloved family members are busy living their own lives... and they just seem to get busier.
• You don't really enjoy shopping.
• ...and now you hardly know some of the people on your list. How can you know somebody you only see a few times a year?
• You are trying to get rid of things - so many things that have accumulated over many many years. You don't need more stuff.
• You have new windows but don't know how to install the blinds - or the curtains (Your love always did this for you.)
• You have a new light fixture for the bathroom but don't know how to install it.
• Things break and you don't know how to fix them.
• You want to remain in the home you and your love created... and are physically able to do the general, overall upkeep. You don't want things...
• You just want maybe a few hours of family time - maybe once a month, more or less (It will always become less, so ask for more.)

Okay! You are me. Now I challenge YOU to answer the first 4 questions!

Grumbleeze

Last night I watched a sappy Lifetime movie called Recipe for a Perfect Christmas. I think I saw it before but this time when it was over I cried. I'm sure that didn't happen the first time.

BTW - for those who were wondering, I'm beginning to feel a bit better.

Answers to Monday Madness

Natalie says....
I'm running out of ideas for MM challenges, folks! If you have any suggestions for me, please feel free to email me. Thank you, and thank you for your loyal and friendly participation in my meme! =)

1. I wish people would just ...I really don't care what other people do as long as they are not harmful to the rest of us.
2. My biggest pet peeve where other drivers are concerned, is using cell phones, eating breakfast or lunch, reading - all while driving!!! - YES - these things endanger everybody around them.
3. I will probably spend about ...not much on holidays this season.
4. I really hope to have my ceramic tile floors finished by the end of this calendar year.
5. I make about none resolutions each year, and keep of them.

I'm back from a fantastic trip with Jan & Susan to Hawaii!!! Unfortunately I'm recovering from my second cold in the space of two months... I guess that - along with other things - is a sign that it's time to slow down and enjoy the moment. Fortunately I think I'm feeling better... but am taking no chances and taking life slow & easy for a while!

We took loads of photos!!!
Here is just a tiny taste: Computer is loaded with pics... look for an occasional 'special taste of Molokaii, Hawaii' right here!!!

Also plan to put together an album of our best pics to share with family and friends!!! Might even try Digital Scrapbooking... which I heard about right here!!!

This was home sweet home for our week and we enjoyed every moment of it!! More later....

Thank you Susie!!!