Merry Christmas To All

And to all a good night
~Blossom and Branch

A Christmas Memory

Prior to meeting the Citizen, Big K and I often made the drive from Florida to Pennsylvania for Christmas.

In Pennsylvnia, my mother was working as a receptionist at a facility for developmentally disabled and emotionally challenged individuals. The facility provided outpatient treatment, in-house workshops, transportation, case management, counseling, and residential services. I used to meet her there for lunch. As receptionist, she could not leave her post until the relief girl arrived. As I waited patiently in the lobby one day, I observed people come and go. Employees, clients (as they're called, not patients), employees of affiliated agencies, and others came and went. In between assisting those that needed to be assisted, my mother answered the phone for this facility, which had not yet discovered the joys of voicemail. Meanwhile, an average and unassuming-looking man came into the lobby. He waited patiently until my mother had time to help him.

M: "May I help you, sir?"

Man: "Yes, I just wanted to leave this here." (hands her a check for $100.00).

M: "Oh, can you wait a moment so I can get you a receipt? What is it for?"

Man: "Nothing in particular. You all do such good work here. Merry Christmas."

And he turned around and left without another word.

Happy Birthday Blossom & Branch!

Today, with the help of family and close friends, we celebrated the second birthday of the Branch and the Blossom. They are a big two years old today! The Branch often
said "two, two" throughtout the day. What a coincidence that he just learned to say two!

The "Herding Cats" family went out for dinner at the Chinese buffet afterwards to continue the celebration.

Hedgies A-Plenty

The hedgehogs time forgot. From London Daily Mail.

I used to have a pet hedgehog. It was sort of like petting a hairbrush...

No More Loose Nuts

Yeah, I know what you're thinking. "Oh!" you're thinking, "you've got PLENTY of loose nuts over there at "Herding Cats"." Very funny...

When I was a child, each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, my grandmother put a tabletop basket of walnuts out for nibbling just anytime. The basket was replenished throughout the holidays. I continue that tradition in memory of my grandmother and all the wonderful Christmas's I had with her. This year, I noticed that loose nuts are no longer sold in the grocery stores. Previously, the stores put out boxes of assorted (and loose) nuts - walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts that shoppers could scoop themselves into the ubiquitous flimsy plastic produce bags.

I asked the Citizen to pick up a bag of walnuts at Wal-Mart and he came home with the sorriest bag of walnuts I had ever seen. I bet they were last year's walnuts. I'll continue the search for the perfect nuts. Sadly, I won't find them loose. They'll be bagged but if in doubt I will OPEN the bag and check. No more bad, or loose, nuts for me!

Get 'em While They're Hot!

Herding Cats Christmas cards. International orders accepted. Herding Cats will not sell or publicize your information. In fact, we'll probably forget it promptly after using it!

Click on "View My Complete Profile" then "e-mail" and send me your info.

Some Men JUST Don't Get It!

"My husband just doesn't understand!" I whined to my male co-worker, Cog. Ooh. When a woman complains about her husband to her male co-worker, eyebrows may be raised! But in this case, it's a cultural difference. I've considered embarking on a project to restore my 1993 Ford Mustang (sadly, not a Cobra like the one in this picture. But I digress.) The Citizen cannot see why anyone would want to put money and effort into an old car. I said to Cog: "Restoring the ol' Ford! It's as American as apple pie! Leafing through the J.C. Whitney catalogue! Pulling parts from the auto junkyard! Cursing and covered with motor oil!" Cog agreed and volunteered his automotive expertise. Should I decide to undertake this endeavor, here's what would be needed:

1. Re-hang driver’s side door and replace trim.
2. Paint all trim and rearview mirror housing.
3. Repair dent – driver’s side back quarter panel.
4. Paint either original or custom paint (dark blue-fade-light blue-fade-white from bottom up).
5. Pinstriping.
6. Remove broken bolt from license plate holder.
7. Shocks/struts (it’s an awful hard ride).
8. Resolve problem with radio – either radio does not work or wiring is bad.
9. Install CD player.**
10. R & R torn back deck carpet.
11. Replace fuses and steering column cover.
12. Driver’s seat bent/misaligned – leans back on one side.*
13. R & R spark plugs.
14. Louvres for back windshield.**
15. Rust removal - minor spots throughout body.
16. Tint windows.**
17. Clean wheels, remove rust.
18. Resolve issue with fan running constantly, even after car is turned off.
19. Remove “Button” and replace rear view mirror.
20. R & R windshield – small stone crack.*
21. R & R weatherstripping on sunroof.
22. Air conditioner repair – blows but not cold.


** Optional
* Low Priority


The engine still runs well, with more than 123K miles on it. I was told four years ago that the transmission needed replacing, but it's still running JUST FINE, thank you very much, Ripoff Automotive Services. The car is practically an antique and would be way fun to drive if restored.

If we go ahead with this project, why, the car may even get it's own blog!

The Christmas Present...

for the man that has everything - spray-on condoms.

From Sydney Morning Herald.