Happy Holidays

Wishing all of my friends a safe, happy holiday season from the entire bear clan.

What Do You Get a President for Christmas?

On this day, 1864 - During the American Civil War, Union Gen. William T. Sherman sent a message to U.S. President Lincoln from Georgia. The message read, "I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah."

How's that for a Christmas present?
What do you think you would get President Bush? I can't honestly say he would make my gift giving list this year or any. I'm having enough trouble determining what to get the teens in my house for the holiday that fits into the meager budget. I do have all the little ones shopped for, finished that yesterday with Papa Bear's help and let me say he is dangerous in a toy department. Now to wrap everything we have, so I am not swamped with wrapping Christmas Eve after work.

Let me say this it is cold outside, we got more snow Saturday night, and now it is bitter outside.

We are on holiday break from homeschooling and tonight is our last Scout event for the year too.

Happy Monday.

WW ~ Digging Out Again

See more WW here

Excuse Me, But...I Don't Care

That is I do not care to hear your personal telephone conversations.
You know I love the invention of the cell phone, they have some great applications, but they also have a place and there are just some places they are not meant to be used.
So bear with me while I vent...
1. In the rest room, please do not talk on your phone while you and various strangers are using the toilet, that is rude to the recipient of the call and disconcerting to us poor strangers.
2. On the bus, if it is an emergency yes....but do not hold a loud conversation that everyone is privy to, I do not care if the party last night sucked or not.
3. In a restaurant. I would like to dine, and not learn about your life story.
4. As you come into a check out lane, it is rude to the cashier.

Honestly am I the only person who does not feel the need to have a cell phone plastered to my ear 24/7? Am I the only one who feels that there should be some common courtesy and etiquette when it comes to when to use them? Doesn't Miss Manners cover these things somewhere?

I know they are needed, I know they are useful and save lives, but they are also a nuisance when used in the wrong places at the wrong times.

end vent....

Other than that, things are fine here in Oshkosh B'Gosh, other than it is freezing outside. All the snow melted away with the rain over the weekend and now a cold front moved in. More snow expected later this week though.
I am on call for jury duty, did not have to go in today, but have to call to find out about tomorrow. Working much of the week too, but that is nice as it will give me some extra spending money for the holidays. I am so frustrated that I cannot find some simple gifts for my nephews. I know what I want, but none of the stores have them. So far I have baby G bought for, and a few things for my 3 monsters. May have to brave Toys R Us this coming weekend to finish the nephews.
Hope all is well in your lives!

More than Thirteen, Just Random Meme Theft

The Best Memes in Life Are Stolen. Elle said that, so it must be true.
Stole this from Elle, who stole it from Angelika, who stole it from Why Are You Stalking Me?, who stole it from someone else. I stole it from Les

1. Do you like blue cheese salad dressing?– No.
2. Favorite late night snack?– chocolate covered pretzels
3. Do you own a gun?– No.
4. What’s your favorite drink at Starbucks or other specialty coffee shop?– Apple Cider or Eglish toffee latte

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?– yes
6. What do you think of hot dogs?–All beef only for me.

7. Favorite Christmas song?– Christmas Canon
8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning?– coffee & Diet Pepsi

9. Can you do push-ups?– I can… but will I? HA!
10. What’s your favorite piece of jewelry?– wedding ring

11. Favorite hobby?– crafts
12. Do you have A.D.D.?– Probably to a degree
13. What’s one trait that you hate about yourself?– pessimistic

14. The last disease you contracted?– flu
15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.– robot chicken in a vault losing money

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink?– Coffee, Diet Pepsi, and milk

17. Current worry right now?– Money
18. Current hate right now?– snow
19. Favorite place to be?– home
20. How did you ring in the New Year?– with my family

21. Like to travel?– some day
22. Name three people who will complete Sunday Stealing this week:– No clue
23. Do you own slippers?– Yes, I do.
24. What color shirt are you wearing?– baby blue
25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?– no too slippery
26. Can you whistle?– Can so.
27. Favorite singer/band?– Impossible to attempt to decide.
28. Could you ever make it 39 days on the show Survivor?– nope not me, never

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?– Abba

30. Favorite girl’s names?– Micheyla
31. Favorite boy’s names?– Alexander

32. What’s in your pocket right now?– what's a pocket

33. Last thing that made you laugh?– my husband

34. Like your job?– I tolerate it
36. Do you love where you live?– nope not really

37. How many TVs do you have in your house?– 2
38. Who is your loudest friend?– Cheryl or Leighann

39. Do you drive the speed limit or speed?– I always drive the speed limit. Unless you ask my husband

40. Does someone have a crush on you?– I pray not Papa Bear would kill 'em

41. What is your favorite book?– Too many to choose from

42. What is your favorite candy?– dark chocolate covered nuts
43. Favorite Sports Team?– Green Bay Packer backer

44. What were you doing 12 AM last night?– sleeping
45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up today?– How much I wanted to stay in bed.

Here Comes the Sun and the Snow...

My mood is starting to lighten up which is a blessing I really needed. I woke up this morning and felt good. Adjusting to not taking one of the medications, but it hasn't been too bad, just waking on and off during the night. It is nice not to feel so gloomy, and I hope it lasts for awhile.
Life is not always sunshine and roses that is for sure.
So, we got snow, big time over 7" fell over the past few days, the kids were glad that we bought them those new shovels I am sure. Why are shovels so expensive for that matter? $16.95 each, can you believe it? This was our third major storm of the winter and winter hasn't officially started. We are pretty sure we will have a white Christmas though. Big holiday, nope...but fulfilling as every gift will be hard earned and chosen with love. Shopping will happen on Christmas Eve morning before I go into work. No hiding places in this house from the kids.


Happy Wednesday all.

EC Advertiser's of the Week

This past week's

Advertisers at The Cafe at the END of the Universe were...
Saturday ~ Retro Blog
Sunday ~ My Joyful Days
Monday ~ Puss Reboots
Tuesday ~ CrAzY Working Mom
Wednesday ~ FeeFiFoto
Thursday ~ ShauniSpeaks
Friday ~ Cool Mom Guide


Make sure to stop by the...
The Author's Lounge at the END of the Universe & The Library at the END of the Universe.

When Life Hands ME Lemons...

...I tend to make some damn bitter lemonade. And that folks is more than being a pessimist, it is depression and anxiety at their finest caliber.
Depression does hurt, like the commercial says, and it hurts everyone around you, if they only understand. Not everyone around me understands the depth of depression and what it can do to me as a person.
I will admit I have not had a good time as of late, the depression & anxiety have been more master than background players in my day to day life...thus the lack of interest in my blog and lots more. That's the game I play.
I can play plenty of games and I know others who suffer as I do play games as well, even if we do take medication. Medication helps, but it isn't an instant cure all, and sometimes your body does not work with the medication, in fact your body and medications can fight each other quite nastily leaving you feeling worse than ever...I've been there lately.
Don't play games people, even if you think it will go away. Talk to someone. Medicine is not always needed, and I say we all have to be masters of our care...that is why I am going to stop playing games with my doctor and be honest. It is time to shed the mask I wear, that yeah it isn't good but I can handle it doc, and show the true face of my affliction. To that end Papa Bear will be going with me, now just to call and make that appointment. Always a catch, did I ever mention I am a major procrastinator too???

The Bug That Came to Stay

So we got a nasty visitor this week, a stomach bug that knocked us all down for 24 hours or more. This weekend we will be scrubbing things down with Lysol and make sure the nasty germ got its eviction notice and left without any intervention.

The Mule Meets the Bull

We've had a major battle of wills play out in the house between Nick and his father. A very justifiable reason behind it all, but wow!
Papa Bear is definitely the mighty bull rearing his horns when he wants to, and Nick well he decided to show his stubborn mulish side at the worst possible moment.
Teens, guess it is their right to challenge authority, but do they understand the things we hold sway over as parents to take away if need occurs?
Right now, the driver's license could be on hold, and if things don't shape up, next privilege would be the job. Yep, it has gotten beyond simple things like no TV.
I guess when the boys were younger I always believed it would be our outspoken Zak who would put up these fights, but nope you need to watch out for the silent brooding type too, as Nick is.

For now the peace has returned to the bear cave, and I can only hope that it stays that way.