From Me To You

Rear In Review

So yeah, it's the very last day of 2007, and like a lot of people I'm taking a look back on the rear year that was.

Only a few things really stand out: my surgery in May; Daughter's very first day of school; Husband's promotion; the teacher strike and the never ending mess the district has become; issues Husband and I are having with our church.

Health-wise, I'm okay. Daughter loves preschool and counts everything she sees. Husband still really likes his job and thankfully isn't slated to go anywhere..yet.

As for the continuing school stuff, I've blogged about it here and will continue to do so, as I'm frustrated and confused as to what I should do for my kids. Should I open-enroll them? Home school? Private school? Do I stick it out in the district we're in? Raise my voice and fight for change?

Somehow that last statement makes me uncomfortable, since the last time I raised my voice I almost got arrested. But if the Libs can go around shouting and causing a ruckus, why can't I? Why can't I fight for change? Is it too late?

I haven't talked about the issues Husband and I are having with our church because I'm terribly conflicted about the way I'm feeling. You see, our church is what's known as a "church plant." We're new, small (no, we do not drink Kool-Aid or wear blue sweat suits or worship Tom Cruise....we're Presbyterians!), but the whole "be the church" concept is becoming a bit tiresome. Because we're such a small group, the things we're being asked to do are frankly burning us out. I don't feel like I'm being ministered to or getting any kind of spiritual guidance.

And yet I sit here and feel guilty and lazy for my thoughts about just resigning my membership. I can hear our pastor's rebuttal to anything I'd have to say..."Jesus was never comfortable," that sort of thing.

Well, I won't get all contemplative here. Let me just say that I struggle with this daily and it's influencing my mood.

Between the issues with the school and the issues with church, I'm ready for a rest!

Cage Me!

Apparently, I belong in a cage, or so this former school board member says.

As I read, and sputtered over, this letter, Husband simply said "Consider the source."

Yep. This is the same man who at the last BOE meeting said we have no honor because we said "NO" to an earned income tax levy.

Husband also accurately pointed out that this man, and the other BOE members, aren't willing to look to the mistakes they've made.

If the school board doesn’t look after the educational interest of our children, pray tell me who will? Not the teachers’ union — that was proven beyond all doubt.

Hello? Anybody? I LOOK AFTER THE EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF MY CHILDREN!

Dumbass.

Time For A Drinkie

The Recipe For GroovyVic

3 parts Pizzazz 2 parts Moxie 1 part Ingenuity Splash of Panache Finish off with a little umbrella and straw

Thankew Wyatt Earp

Honk

My friend Elvis told me about this one....

My gawd.

Here We Go Again?

At 1:45 this morning I was awakened by Daughter's screams. I hurried in to her room and told her "Wake up, it's just a bad dream."

"No! My ear really hurts!"

So I gave her some Tylenol and she went back to sleep.

But crap. This is an ear infection. What other reason is there for a child to wake up screaming and saying their ear hurts? I just hope this isn't another months long nightmare like it was a couple years ago; Daughter had ear infections from November 2004 to April 2005, which lead to the whole ear tube procedure and subsequent hellish visits to the ENT doc thereafter.

Well. I'll call in at 9:00 A.M. today and see when they can get her in. First things first.

Snort Worthy

"Evil Eye Baby"

Thankew Just Jared

Holiday Hot Chocolate

I made this last night and my kids really liked it:

1 bag 3 Musketeers Fun Size bars
3 cups milk
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon, plus a bit for dusting
4 cinnamon sticks
2 Tbsp sweetened whipped cream

Chop 2 cups of 3 Musketeers bars; combine the candy with milk and ground cinnamon in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly until candy is melted.
Pour into mugs. Add cinnamon stick and top with a small dollop of whipped cream. Dust with cinnamon.

Makes 4 servings

My Toy Review

Two words: it sucks!

Daughter got the Disney Favorite Moments 360° Pop-Up Storybook - Sleeping Beauty from Santa, and as soon as I pulled it out of the box, I could tell this thing sucked.

Daughter tried to put the dolls (Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip) on the swing, and couldn't get them to fit! I even tried, but there was no way I could get them to fit in the little slots provided. They just kept toppling out. Husband tried to fix the swing so it wasn't sitting on the ground, but the plastic is so pliable that it's all stretched out of shape!

I could go on, but suffice it to say, I'm pretty disappointed.

Christmas Aftermath

Ah...now I can relax.

We've finished our Christmas dinner (turkey with all the fixings, thankewverramuch), and now I'm sitting here with a glass of wine (Riunite Bianco, don't get excited) listening to Ave Maria.

It was a good day, albeit an early one. Husband got up early, as is his custom, so I hopped up thinking I could watch the General Hospital episode I taped last night (after we watched a bit of The Godfather). No sooner did Jason (Steve Burton) appear onscreen with his new coif but the younglings were up and raring to go.

The kids got a lot of toys, DVD's, PlayStation games...Son was thrilled receive not only a documentary of the Titanic but a model as well. Daughter is now the proud owner of two new Disney Princess dolls, a Princess playhut, and the pop-up storybook playhouse.

For most of the day, I don't know what came over me, I was on a cleaning frenzy. What is it about Christmas that spurs me to clean obsessively? If I wasn't cleaning today I was online researching new washing machines.

True confession time: I miss a white Christmas. Oh sure, it was beautiful today, sunny, not too cold, but I miss the snow. Know what I mean? Every Christmas we've celebrated since we moved to OH has been green.

And don't go all al-Gore on me. I don't want to hear that "global warming" b.s.

Well, Husband has switched the music to Harry Connick Jr.'s "When My Heart Finds Christmas", and I need a refill on my wine. Somewhere around here there's a two-pound box of Stefanelli chocolates calling my name.

Merry Christmas

Wishing all of my blogging friends and readers a very Merry Christmas.

Snort Worthy

Merry Christmas!

Lemmy At 'Em Birthday

Happy Birthday to Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, who turns 62 today.

I found out about Motorhead in college whilst watching everybody's favorite show Headbanger's Ball. With Ricki Rachtman and his hair and all those tats of his. You know, back when MTV still showed actual videos!

And while it isn't the most appropriate music for this time of year, I'd like to post that quintessential Motorhead tune, Ace of Spades.

Merry Christmas, fellow headbangers!

File This Under "Huh?"

Will Smith....

*shaking head in wonder*

Will Smith said....oh, just go read it for yourself.

*throwing hands up in frustration*

New Spin On An Old Favorite

I heard this song yesterday and loved it. I've been scouring these here Internets trying to find audio, but alas have come up empty handed.

Sung to the tune of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town."

Family Tradition

Tonight Husband and I took the younglings out to look at Christmas lights around town, but first we stopped off to get dinner.

So, we ate, then set off to check out the light displays. Honestly, really wouldn't want to see these peoples' electric bills!

On our way home I said "Let's stop and get dessert!"

So we did.

As Husband and I were digging into our banana split I said "We should make this our new tradition."

It was some good family time together.

Local Coverage

This article about the board meeting appeared in Friday's paper.

And here is Friday's article from another local paper. There is a better description of the issue regarding certain board members voting on contracts.

Two notable quotes:

"You know, I have never attended a meeting in two years where there was a discussion for the betterment of students,” Cattrell said. “I’m getting kind of sick and tired of it myself."

And this from our now former board president:

“I’m here to pass a levy and get this district out of its financial problems,” Taylor concluded. “You pass that levy and bond issue in the spring and Karen Sue Taylor is out of here. I’ll get a lawyer myself to draw up the papers and will sign them and I’ll promise never to run for the school board again.”

This woman, Karen Sue Taylor, also allegedly called one of the taxpayers a "bitch" because said taxpayer dared to speak up about certain things that have been going on.

Yep, that's professional leadership, huh?

Where've I Been?

Well, to all of you out there who have blogs that I read, I haven't been around to you much in the past day and a half because I had no access to these here Internets.

To make a long story short, our wireless guy came out today around 4:15 P.M. to fix the problem.

So, I'm back, like it or not!

Run Run Rudolph!

One of my favorites:

White Christmas

I used to play these CD's for my cat. Drove him crazy.

Dangling A Carrot

Last night I attended the monthly school board meeting, which like certain other monthly occurrences, was uncomfortable and gave me a headache.

I got there early; I was the first one in the meeting room, so I sat down and started reading the agenda. No sooner did my arse hit the seat, though, but the local law enforcement officer ("the man") took up his post as if I was some reprobate out to cause a problem.

I wasn't. I felt like roadkill and was in no mood to raise hell....for once.

Anyway, some teachers sat around me, so I chatted with a couple. Wonderful people, really dedicated; we do have some great teachers in this district!

The meeting rolled on smoothly until, and I'm being totally honest here, I got wildly confused. It had something to do with certain board members voting on contract negotiations for a certain group of workers (busdrivers, aides, cafeteria workers), family members of certain board members. I understand what they were talking about, but the BOE president brought forth a letter that had all that legal run-around, and I just got confused.

During public participation, a student at the high school stood up to plead the case for the theater program, which is being cut at the end of the semester. It took a lot of courage for this kid to get up and speak, and one could hear he was nervous. Well, that poor kid sits down, and a BOE member (one of the outgoing members) said basically "It isn't us, the board, cutting your theater class, it's the voters who cut this for you because they didn't pass the levy."

UGH! That g**damn levy again!!

I'm used to being blamed for a lot, I'm a Republican after all, but that old fart sat there and threw it all back on us. That BOE is apparently above reproach!

There was more talk about cutting the art and theater program (no more art in the elementary or middle schools!), and the last speaker got up and essentially called for the resignation of two board members, one of them being the BOE president.

Well, this president is the same one who last month called us all "cheap" because we didn't vote to pass the FECKIN' LEVY. Miz Prez went on to say that if we passed the levy in May then she would resign from the board and never run again.

Honey, put that in writing and have it notarized and maybe, just maybe, I'll vote your damn levy in!

They keep harping about building a new school. Got to get that new school built! Well hell, I'm a big believer in taking care of what you've already got, so if the levy money were to be used for operations, you may have my vote.

But see? I could take my five minutes and say such a thing, but it would be a wasted effort on my part. I would love to say that by resorting to childish name-calling, the BOE president isn't winning any respect or votes.

I'm still just as frustrated as before, but I'm putting it all on the back burner so I can enjoy Christmas.

I Wanna Hold Your Led Zeppelin

Mr. Atoz directs our attention to an Aussie Beatles cover band playing Stairway To Heaven.....Beatles style.

Hmmm...even though I cannot stand anyone covering Zeppelin, I will go on record as saying that this is actually kind of, well, good!

That's All I Have To Say About That

Okay, Spears-The-Younger got herself knocked up. Where in the bloody hell was this child's mother? Did Lynne Spears never put the fear of God into this child, as my mother did with me?

As for Nickelodeon, well, in my opinion, they should fire Jamie Lynne's ass sooner rather than later. What kind of a message will be sent to all those tween kids who watch Zoey 101? I mean, Nick runs all those spots about getting up, getting active, not being a couch potato...but this?

As Jimmy Neutron would say, "Pukin' Pluto!"

Look, my kids watch Nickelodeon all the time, but thankfully have never seen iCarly, Drake and Josh, or Zoey 101, to name a few. My kids stick to Avatar and Fairly Oddparents, thankyaverramuch.

I don't know what it is, but this whole thing makes me want to bitch slap those Spears women, give them a good shake and ask just how in the hell they could be so incredibly stupid!

And if I've offended anyone, I'm not sorry.

That's all I have to say about that.

A Break

Today I've vowed to take a break from all the Christmas music.

So I'm listening to The Greatest Band Evaaaahhhh: Led Zeppelin.

Right this minute it's my favorite, Carouselambra.

Turned up to ear bleeding levels.

Shatner One Of The Worst

I've never asked for anyone's autograph, but then again I've never met anyone who's signature I really want.

There was this one time? When my boyfriend worked at Cedar Point? Yeah, the band Warant was there and my boyfriend got one of the band member's autograph for me. But I was never a big Warrant fan.

Anyway, I'd stand a better chance of getting Johnny Depp's autograph than William Shatner's!

(Note to Kroger: I really wasn't kidding when I said I wanted that cardboard standup thing of Captain Jack Sparrow.)

Another Spears Watch

Britney's sister, Jamie Lynn, is pregnant.

That family just refuses to go away.

Heeeeeeeere we go again, folks!

And in related news: Looks like Lynn Spears's parenting book will be delayed. Yeah...like I'd really take advice from her.

My Goodness

I'm no singer, never claimed to be, but there's got to be a special place in Heaven for me after having to teach the younglings the songs they'll be singing in church Sunday.

Not one Christmas song in the bunch. Nope, not even "Away In A Manger."

Um, yeah.

Anyhoo...it kind of sucks.

Pete Gets His Knickers In A Twist

Oh that nutty Peter Brady Christopher Knight!

He wants to leave his wife over some racy photos!

Imagine that! Now he gets his knickers in a twist over racy photos!

Well, when I read this story to Husband his comment was "Is this guy nuts?"

Thankew Robert The Llamabutcher

This Would Be My Kids

Thankew Holy Candy

Santa's New Reindeer?

Holy Candy gives us her picks for Santa's new reindeer.

The Real Inconvenient Truth

I've got your inconvenient truth right here!

Well, more like inconvenient and painful to acknowledge truth.

My washer crapped out again yesterday!

This is inconvenient because, well hell! I've got clothes to wash! It's also painful to acknowledge because I never thought I'd be so dependent on an appliance.

Well, one without batteries, that is. (wink, wink)

But to not have my washing machine is like cutting off my right arm. I can't not do laundry! Next to vacuuming, it's the only other household chore I actually don't mind doing.

If you would have come up to me twenty years ago and said "Vic, one day you're going to be mad as hell that your washing machine won't work" I would have laughed hysterically in your face. Now look at me! I'm actually bummed out because I can't wash the sheets!

Yes, Have Some!

Um, where did Victoria Beckham find her husband, and where can I get one, please?

I mean....whoa!

Don't Want To Go

Church today. Not in the mood. Feeling like complete poo, as are the younglings, and the snow we got yesterday disappeared after the freezing rain warmed up.

Yeah, all those warnings of dire snow and ice....and there's nothing out there, at least at our little section of Armpit, OH.

To make things even more exciting, I have nursery duty today.

Please, just let me go back to bed!!

And don't say "Well, Vic, if you're sick, just don't go!"

I wish it was that easy, trust me.

Ban Teacher Strikes?

An OH senator (a Republican!) wants to place a ban on teacher strikes.

Several superintendents in this area gave voice to their thoughts, and here's what our horse's ass superintendent had to say:

Edison Local Schools Superintendent Lisa Carmichael stated she is “totally in support” of Carey’s efforts. She stated that teachers do provide an important service to the community and “if a strike can be prevented, it should be.”

Carmichael said she would hope other districts would never have to “experience what we experienced here.” She is referring to the recent eight-day teachers strike by members of the Edison Local Education Association in November, where 140 members of the ELEA picketed the five schools because of disagreements in health care costs and wages.

“I don’t believe anything good came out of it,” Carmichael said of the strike. “I’ve been thinking about it and there’s nothing good that came out of it at all and the students lost eight days of education.

“I am totally in support of (Carey’s) efforts,” Carmichael reiterated, stating teachers provide a quality, important service and need to be in the classrooms for the students.

Well sure, Lisa, you'd say that now. You didn't show this much concern or even seem to take all of this seriously when the teachers gave their strike notice. Interesting how you didn't even mention the kids and how this has affected them.

And "nothing good came of it." Yeah, Lisa, that means you and the BOE looked even more like a band of incompetent nincompoops.

BTW, there's a board meeting Thursday night, and I'm going to make every effort to be there, weather be damned. Word on the street is that our merry band of tricksters will be sneaking some things in before the two new BOE members join in January.

What Is It?

Since Son has this obsession with all things Titanic right now, he and Daughter are both just infatuated with repeating "poop deck" overandoverandoverandover.

So I finally said "Just what in the hell is the poop deck? When in doubt, Google it!"

And I did.

Ahoy!!

More Money Than Brains

Someone has paid $48K for a lock of John Lennon's hair.

First, let me state that I am not a fan of the Beatles. Sorry.

Anyway, yeah, so someone is a big enough fan to part with that much money for a lock of hair.

*shakes head*

I spent my money on some stupid things in the past, but if, say, the finger brace Jimmy Page used when he broke his pinkie came up for auction, I think I'd pass and spend my money on better things.

Merry Tossmas!

I too get tons of catalogs, and they get tossed as well.

Click on the stoplight to begin.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas of My Youth

I heard this song on the radio as I was pulling La Tahoe into my garage.

Ahhh...my youth. Ah, Duran Duran and Bono.

But, gawd, 1984!

Well, Merry Christmas from this old fart!

Make It Stop!

Please, make the Alvin and the Chipmunk commercials stop!

Guess What I Forgot?

I'm becoming a poor Civil War scholar, as I totally forgot (until this morning, that is) the Battle of Fredericksburg.

I only remembered as I was slipping my Fredericksburg sweatshirt on this morning. Think I'll get my hoop skirts revoked??

Fredericksburg! Fredericksburg! FREDERICKSBURG!!!

Cryin'

No, I'm not crying, although Daughter was on a full-fledged crying jag earlier today.

Maybe it's the weather (freezing rain), or maybe she's just hormonal. I know, no four-year-old girl is hormonal, but sometimes Husband and I both wonder if Daughter is getting her period.

I mean, seriously! She was all whimpery, and when I asked her what was wrong she went in to full "waaaaaaaaah" mode. Tears and everything!

My GAWD the grief she'll put some man through some day.

Flowers???

Pardon my French, but JESUS H. ROOSEVELT CHRIST!!!

Nancy Pelosi is spending taxpayer dollars on flowers???

Wow.

I mean, holy shit! (Forgive me.)

And I thought our school board wasted money! All that money, wasted on flowers, when our public schools are failing.

DO NOT start harping on me about voting in a levy. We can all see that money is horribly mis-managed in D.C., and it's trickling down to a g**damn school board in Armpit, OH.

Motherfu.....

I mean, my goodness.

I'm so damn mad right now...g**damn Pelosi.

G**damn school board!!!

What's My Name?

I spent this morning at the elementary school, which is something I never do. I had been asked if I would show up and help out with the annual Breakfast with Santa, and I thought "Why not?"

Why did I go at all?

See, basically, those of us that were there to help supervised the kids while they ate breakfast in the cafeteria while Santa walked around. Okay, so I did watch the kids, that was about it. At one point I sat with Daughter while she had a Pop-Tart and grape juice, and then I watched the third grade (Son included) practice their songs for the Christmas program.

Now, since I never got fingerprinted, I couldn't escort the students from their classrooms down to meet one-on-one with Santa. Why didn't I get fingerprinted, you ask? Well, mostly because I'm lazy, but also because I went through background check after background check in the Commonwealth of PA to get my teaching certification and whatnot...frankly I think I've invested enough to prove to the world I have a clean record.

So I sat and watched student after student sit on Santa's lap and then get a candy cane. Son's class came down and at one point a couple of the boys said "Hello, Mrs. Eiffel." I looked to see if my MIL was around (seriously!), and then addressed the boys in a similar fashion: "Good morning, Mr. Youngboy." They got a kick out of that.

But I sat there and thought "Holy crap! I'm freakin' OLD!"

Oh well, at least they didn't say "Hey dumbass!"

Christmas Classic

Oh, what a duo: Frank and Bing!

Love Of My Life Birthday

Happy Birthday to Husband, who turns 37 today!!!

He won't let me post a picture of him; security and all that...

The Chairman's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Frank Sinatra, born on this day in 1915.

Ahhhh.....Frankie!

Don't Call Me Lumpy

I'm going crazy.

Coo-coo nutty.

It's not a hernia. It's muscle.

Sheesh.

More Money Than Brains

Jennifer Lopez is out baby shopping.

Big whoop.

My question is this: why do these celebs spend so damn much money on baby buggies, clothes, bedding, on babies?

I'm sure embroidered linens from France are simply lovely, but when it's 2:30 in the morning and your baby gets the "Hershey's squirts" all over those lovely linens, you're gonna be kicking yourself for not buying a damn sheet at the Wal-Mart that you can toss in the Maytag on "hellishly hot."

*shakes head in wonder*

Yeah, I know, celebs have nannies! Well, then, the nanny is going to be cursing whilst he/she rinses poo out of the sheets.

Daytime Swooner Picture Post

My favorite mob enforcer...

Points To Ponder

Blog bud The Reluctant Optimist throws out a few items for your consideration, and posts pictures of a topless brunette.

As for #3 on the list, here's my two cents: last night Son told us that his teacher told the class not to see The Golden Compass. Son said "Mrs. (insert teacher name here) told us that they want to kill God in that movie, and that we shouldn't see it."

Score another point for Mrs. Teacher!

Husband and I explained to Son what an atheist is, and why we don't want Son to see those movies or even read the books they're based on.

Then I told Son he stood a better chance of seeing Fred Claus than that compass flick.

Just Call Me Lumpy

So, I'm off to the GI doc again. Why? Because I have another feckin' hiatal hernia!

I know I do, I can feel the damn lump right where it was before, and the reflux is fluxin' again.

I do not want to go through this business again. Oh sure, the endoscopy isn't a bad process (plus it's a really great, sound sleep), and the barium swallow stuff was kind of cool to watch, but I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO ENDURE THE SURGERY AGAIN!

I'm one of those people who have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. It makes me hurl...a lot. The last time, though, there wasn't anything to "produce" so I just "went through the motions." And it hurt like a sonofabitch.

You're asking, "Vic, you dumbass, how in the hell did you get another hernia?"

Moving the couch.

It was either that or I got it when I was moving boxes of stuff for church.

Dammit, dammit, dammit!

Ya see, what really bites is that last year at this time I was in a sweat because my GYN found a lump in one of my "funbags," so I spent all of Christmas worried that I had cancer and awaiting my first mammogram. This year, oh joy, I have heartburn that would like up a small city and abdominal discomfort from a g**damn hernia.

This "being an adult" thing SUCKS ASS!!

Madonna is Pissy

It seems Madonna is in a pissy mood about society's treatment of the middle-aged.

I agree with her on her main point: there is ageism in this country. I've seen it for myself when I was gainfully employed.

Madonna says:

Not only does society suffer from racism and sexism but it also suffers from ageism. Once you reach a certain age you're not allowed to be adventurous, you're not allowed to be sexual. I mean, is there a rule? Are you supposed to just die?

You're right, Madonna. Age is a state of mind, IMHO, and if you want to be adventurous, go for it. My mother, for example, is older than Madonna and Mom lets nothing get in her way.

But, see, Madonna? I don't care what you do, just keep your clothes on, mmkay? Be as sexual as you want, just PLEASE don't make anymore coffee table books about it!

Fairly Positive Review

Here's a fairly positive review of Led Zeppelin's concert last night.

*sigh*

I would have loved to have seen that show, but alas, I did not win that VH1 contest, and I don't have enough $$$ (or a passport) to fly over on my own.

Ah well....I can take comfort in:

As for Mr. Page, his guitar solos weren’t as frenetic and articulated as they used to be, but that only drove home the point that they were always secondary to the riffs, which on Monday were enormous, nasty, glorious. (He did produce a violin bow for his solo on “Dazed and Confused,” during that song’s great, spooky middle section.)

A Favorite

Thanks for the reminder, Sidneyhoho:

Christmas Songs

David Drake, a blog bud, is sick of Christmas music.

I don't blame him; the radio stations around here started playing Christmas music non-stop before Thanksgiving! Every year I make every effort I can to not listen until at least December 1. I don't want to "burn out" on whatever Christmas spirit I can muster up in my old age.

But! I will disagree on David's opinion of Bing Crosby. I love the man, love his singing, whistling be damned.

I will only listen to Christmas music that has been sung by, well, people who are for the most part dead now. For instance, on Saturday when I was listening to "Christmas with the Rat Pack." Or my four CD collection of those Time-Life Christmas songs. (Yes, some of those singers are still alive, which is why I have that lovely "program" button on my CD player.)

My favorite song, though I love them all, is "The Christmas Song." But it HAS to be the version sung by Nat King Cole. No other singer will do!

Puppy Love Birthday

Happy Birthday to Donny Osmond (my first Swooner Dreamboat), who turns 50 today!

Yes, okay! I was faithfully glued to the TV every Friday night to watch "The Donny and Marie Show."

Shut up.

My Movie Review

Last night we sat down and watched the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie...and...well....I kept getting confused.

And, not to give away the ending or anything, but don't those of you who've seen it think the ending was a hair depressing?

I perked up, though, when Keith Richards made his entrance.

Keith Richards!!!

Oh, who cares about plots and what not. I got to look at Johnny Depp, and who can complain about that???

Cool Cat Birthday

Happy Birthday to Sammy Davis Jr., born on this day in 1925.

I love Sammy, love the Rat Pack. In fact, I have my CD "Christmas With The Rat Pack" playing right now.

People Are Strange Birthday

Happy Birthday to Jim Morrison, born on this day in 1943.

Love this man....

Toys!

Overwhelmed with all the toy choices this year?

Let GroovyVic help!

December 7, 1941

Never forget...

Jack Black Has A Big Booty

I'm not really all that fond of Jack Black. I think the pivotal moment came when he hosted the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards and made those uber-annoying commercials that played constantly whilst my children were watching Spongebob.

(Any possible exception me may earn in my "celeb appreciation book" could be gained, however slightly, but his role in High Fidelity.)

Anyway....yeah....

It would seem that Jack Black is a has a big ass.

I'm not criticizing his trunk, oh no. I'm the last person to do that. I just think that if your gut is so big that you can't see your feet, perhaps doing a nude scene of any kind would be, you know, out of the question.

Um, Is That It?

Hey! The trailer for the SATC movie!

Too short and not very satisfying....

Gawd, do those words sound familiar!!!!

Finally! A Celeb Who Mans Up!

Kiefer Sutherland is serving his time for his DUI charges.

Call me nutty coo-coo, but I think this shows great character in Sutherland that he's actually "manning up" and accepting his responsibilities.

And, is it just me, or is his mugshot HAWT?! He's one good lookin' man. So's his dad, for that matter. I may not agree with Donald's or Kiefer's politics, but they're still easy on the eyes.

(As many times as I've watched such movies as Kelly's Heroes and all... "Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?")

Let It Snow!

I haven't posted in the past couple days because, well, I just haven't felt like it. Yesterday there was a two-hour delay, and today school was canceled!

The kids are out playing in the snow right this very minute.

In truth, the reason I've been so neglectful of this here blog is that I'm busy trying to get the house cleaned before we put up the Christmas tree and such. It's hard enough cleaning around the tree as it is. Soooo...

Oh yeah, La Tahoe is back on the road, after almost $500 worth of repairs. Well, if it's the difference between having heat and not, I'll pay for the heat! And this damn snow...well, let's just say I'm glad I have four-wheel drive to get up and down my driveway.

Busy, busy, busy, and on top of all this housework, I've been asked to join a book club and have been absorbed in this month's selection, Before Women Had Wings.

A good book, although just a tad depressing.

Now They Tell Me

Kid got a cough? Give 'em honey!

I sure wish I'd known about this before I bought all that OTC cough and cold medicine.

Bark at the Moon Birthday

Happy Birthday to Ozzy Osbourne, who turns 59 today!

You know, I've seen the Prince of F**king Darkness in concert; it was February 1, 1992. Good times, goooooood times. Fourth row, center, and Oz doused us with water twice and mooned us. Sorry, no bat biting, but I do have a very clear memory of "War Pigs."

Today it isn't exactly one of my favorite songs, but 15 years ago I drank heavily.

That being said, here's a song I do still like, "Bark At The Moon." And, yes, I did howl at the end, right along with everyone else.

What's the Catch?

Husband came home from work today and informed me that PA Governor Ed Rendell got some referendum passed that would give PA Gulf War veterans $75 for every month they served during the war.

Husband should be looking at about, oh, $375 or so, seeing as how he's in a PA unit.

I asked him, first Gulf War or second? First, he told me; he was in Egypt then. (I was a drunken and totally oblivious college co-ed at that time. Good times, gooood times!)

Anyhoo, I told Husband someone should be paying ME for all that time he was gone after 9/11...but I shan't hold my breath waiting for that check.

Husband wonders just what Rendell's angle is with all this, but I could care less. Heck, it's money.

I really like money.

Snort Worthy

Huckabee?

(Don't watch around the kids.)

Huh?

So, yeah...

I just got an e-mail from this guy I knew in high screwl. Long story short, he's in NYC, in a band...and this e-mail was the latest info on where his band would be playing.

No biggie, except the end:

"Happy politically correct holiday season"

What the bloody hell is that Liberal tripe? Not in my inbox you don't!

Happy Happy

Happy Birthday to Def Leppard bassist Rick Savage, who turns 47 today!

I know, this is the same picture I posted last year (gawd, has it been a year already?), but I like this one.

"What are you, people? On dope?"

Today is also the birth date of Ray Walston, born on this day in 1914.

He's the only reason I watch Fast Times At Ridgemont High.

Happy First Day of December

From my all-time favorite Christmas special: