My hope for 2007,
Peace and happiness to you all!

Dreams

Last night I had a dream. Actually I dream a lot. And I have some very weird one's. But I only remember the one I have when I wake up, and the one I awoke from this morning, is one with a reoccurring theme. I have this dream often.

In this dream I'm either running or biking, and at a pretty fast clip. I even pass other runners or bikers. I'm always going to a certain destination, it's always quite far, and I always know I could get there faster by car, but I don't have the car with me, so off I run or bike. And sometimes during the dream, I start out running and then all of a sudden I'm biking, or vise-versa.

But I never reach my destination. I always wake up before I get there. And sometimes, before I get there, I'm all of a sudden back where I started, and I start again!

So, some questions;

1. Does this mean I'm speeding thru life with no clear goal or life objective?

2. Or, deep down I don't think I'll be able to reach the goals I have?

3. Does your body burn more calories if you dream running then if you dream sitting?

Another Mom update

I 've been asked by several readers about my Mom's progress, so I 'm posting an update.

Here's a pic taken today by my brother Louie.
She's still at the nursing home having therapy. Her bruises are healing much better.
And her attitude is good.
She's wants to go home.
But I think they'll keep her till sometime next week.
They want to make sure she's strong enough to get around on her own.

Oh, and I'll make sure I post when she's home and ready to start dating again!

Useless knowledge

Just for fun,

I thought I'd add some

useless knowledge

here and there.

So today's topic is,

Water.

If you drop a frog into boiling water it will hop straight back out again, but if you put it in cold water and heat it slowly the frog will boil to death.
• There is the exact amount of water on Earth today as when the Earth was formed. Water is never totally consumed. It always recycles itself, in one form or another.
• It is possible to drown and not die. Technically the term 'drowning' refers to the process of taking water into the lungs, not to death caused by that process.
• Juice that has 'all natural' written on the label even if it has less than 20% or 10% of juice... the water is natural, so the contents are 'all natural'
• The elephant can smell water up to 3 miles away. Also, a dogs' nose is so sensitive that it can tell the difference between a tub of water and a tub of water with a teaspoon of salt in it.
• The Catholic Herald, published in Great Britain, warms about the dangers of drinking holy water from religious shrines. While it may have curative powers in a religious sense, it seems that it also is a breeding ground for germs.
• Old Faithful, a geyser in Yellowstone National Park, can spout water 170 feet in the air. That is as high as a 17-story building.
• In Australia, a scientist put a Big Mac in a desk drawer and left it in there for a year to test the preservatives. When he pulled it out a year later, there was not a speck of mould on it. The only only thing different was that the buns were hard. He then microwaved it with a cup of water and ate it.
• There are almost 800 different brands of bottled water for sale in the United States.

More family

For those who are getting tired of seeing my family, then close your browser ....NOW!
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Okay,
for the rest of you lurkers, here's a couple of pics.
My sister, who lives in Havelock, North Carolina, wasn't
able to be in Muskegon when our Mom was hospitalised
with her heart attack. But, not wanting to be left out.

She got a copy of the picture Brian's wife Ruth took.

And Photoshopped herself in. Now I've played around

with those programs some, but mine always looked too fake.

I think she did a good job. So here's the before and after.

So even if all her kids weren't there, she at least has a picture of us all together.

Thru the miracle of photo editing!

12 days of Christmas

Click on picture to activate!

A Merry Christmas

Would like to wish everyone a happy holiday. Hope you, your family, and friends enjoy the day, and each other.

family Christmas

Today we had the family Christmas.
And there were boatloads of people!

Didn't realize our family had gotten

so large!
My brother Louie and his wife

Bonnie hosted the event.

They live in Zeeland Michigan,

They made the food,

and were wonderful hosts!

All they asked was we bring

some Christmas spirit and a desert.

We sprung mom from the nursing

home for the day. She seemed to

really enjoy the the change of scenery.

She's doing so much better. Still weak,

but we hope she'll get stronger.

Craig and I brought a Craig's family desert.

Called a Graham Cracker Pudding Cake.

It is so tasty!

I know you want it!

Here's the recipe.....

Graham Cracker Pudding Cake

-Graham Crackers

-Chocolate pudding

-Cool Whip

Place crackers on a serving plate,

any shape or size.

Spread pudding on cracker,

about the thickness of the cracker.

Then alternate pudding and

cracker until you reach the

size you want.

Cover and refrigerate till morning.

spread cool whip over top and sides,

maybe some colored sugar sprinkles,

and serve.

It is so tasty!!

Christmas in the Salon

Finally! the long Christmas week at the Salon is over!

I'm not complaining, but it was a very busy week.

These are pictures of the salon Craig and I work at.

Click on the pics to see them better.

The customers seem to really like Christmas week.

They look forward to the food. And we always have a lot!

And of course, I enjoy all the Christmas presents

I get from the customers. Food, wine, gift cards,

and money. It's nice to know they appreciate

my efforts at keeping them looking good!

ALSO,

This is my 100th post!

I didn't know when I started, what would become

of this. But I've had a lot of fun with it.

I think I'll keep it going for now.

Merry Christmas!

best pie ever!

Today I received a pie from a customer.
But I feel the need to relate the story behind it.
When I was in high school, I worked at my Great Uncle's restaurant. I was a dish washer.
He went to work in the wee hours and baked bread and pies he served during the day.
One of those pies was a Pineapple Pecan Cream Pie!
I couldn't wait to get out of school, get to work, and hope a piece was still there.
Back to today.
One Craig's customers, a real baker, was so intrigued that she was determined to recreate it. Now, I didn't have the recipe, so all I could tell her was what it looked like and the consistency of it. Well, after three tries, she nailed it! And now brings me one every Christmas! Do we have some great customers or what!
Here's the recipe, cause I know you'll want to try it!

Pineapple Pecan Creme Pie
1 can crushed Pineapple
1 cup sugar
1 can sweetened condensed milk
8 oz cool whip
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup chopped pecans

Heat sugar and crushed pineapple, add cornstarch mixed with water till you have a pie filling consistency. Cool .
Mix condensed milk with cool whip. Gradually add Lemon juice. Fold in chopped pecans and the cooled pineapple mixture.
Pour into a baked 9-10 in pie shell. Chill for at least 2 hours, if you can wait that long!

Poinsettias

I received this poinsettia yesterday. It's one of

those that they are spray painting. Have you seen them?

They come in various shades, all with different

amounts of glitter. Now this pinkish-purple is

quite pretty, though I'm really a traditionalist

when it comes to Christmas. And the pic of this

blue one I got off the net I don't like at all.

I mean a BLUE POINSETTIA?

It just doesn't look right!

And have you seen the purple and orange ones?

Oh well, they wouldn't make them if they didn't

sell. So there must be people who buy them.

Someone told me the blue one are for Hanukkah.

You know, Israel's national colors are blue and white.

I think it's a bit if a stretch.

What does everyone else think?

Christmas card

Had this Christmas card e-mailed to me and thought I'd share it with everyone. It's interactive, and from some University I've never heard of. But very nice.

Click on the link, then click on the picture to activate. Enjoy!

http://ecard.ashland.edu/2004admission/index.html

More Cookies

Spent a good part of the day making more cookies

for the goodies table at work.

Craig also made another batch of Fudge.

The first batch turned out dry and crumbly.

Had to throw it away!

Finally decided the thermometer

was maybe wrong.

You have to cook the fudge to

235 degrees before it will "set".

We're thinking we cooked it too high,

that's why it was dry.

So bought a new thermometer and

the next batch turned out perfect!

The cookies here are called press cookies.

That's because you put the dough into

this cylinder like contraption and

turn the handle and push the dough
thru the patterned disk onto a cookie sheet.

With a little food coloring mixed in

the dough first, you can make

green Christmas trees or wreaths,

red diamonds,

and even multi colored swirls.

Add some colored sugar sprinkles,

and you have some tasty little treats!

I got the press from my

grandmother when she passed

away nearly thirty years ago.

The new ones now are plastic,

but I like the old metal one!

Click on the pics to see them better!

recipes

Here are the recipes I promised.

1. Tea Cakes

1 cup (2 sticks) Butter, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups flour

2/3 cups finely chopped nuts

2 cups (12 oz. package) semi-sweet

chocolate chips, divided

Beat butter and powdered sugar until creamy. Beat in Vanilla. Beat in flour and nuts. Stir in

1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips. Roll dough into 1 in balls, place on ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake in preheated 350 F oven for 10 - 12 minutes or until set and lightly golden brown on bottom.

Microwave remaining chocolate chips in heavy duty plastic bag on high for 30 sec. knead. heat for additional 10 - 20 sec intervals, kneading until smooth. cut corner and drizzle on cookies.

Chill for 5 min. or till chocolate is set. Store at room temp in air tight container.

2. Cashew Butter Fudge

1 3/4 cups sugar

1- 7oz jar marshmallow creme

2/3 cups evaporated milk

1/2 stick butter

1 tsp vanilla

10 oz cashew pieces

1- 12 oz jar cashew butter

Heat sugar, milk, butter. Add marshmallow creme.

Bring to a boil at medium heat. Stirring constantly.

Boil to 235 degrees.

Turn off heat and stir in cashew butter and nuts.

Then stir in Vanilla.

Pour into a foil lined 8 in pan. Cool and cut into desired pieces. Store at room temperature.

ENJOY!

Monday

Yesterday afternoon, after we got back from Muskegon, we went to Craig's family Christmas get together. They only see each other about once a year also.
And from some of the e-mails I've gotten, that seems to be the case with a lot of people. Families scattered all over the place, people get busy with their own lives,
time flies by so fast! It was good to catch up with everyone.
And of course, eating great food! One of the best items was the stuffed mushrooms Craig's niece made. Delicious! Best I've had!
She stuffed them with sausage
and cream cheese. Yummy!
I went back for seconds and thirds!
She also made bacon wrapped dates.
Also yummy!
They went too fast to get a pic!
Of course, Craig being the picky
eater he is, wouldn't even try one.
Says he doesn't like Dates.
Then there's me, I'll eat anything!
Well, just about. I have 2 rules when it comes to food.
1. I don't want it looking at me.
(like no head on a fish)
2. I don't want it moving.
( I like it good and dead)

I've also gotten lots of e-mail for cookie and fudge recipes. I'll post them soon!

More Mom

Back from Muskegon. Saw Mom and talked to Louie and Brian about her progress. As you see in the pic, she was badly bruised from the ordeal. But the bruises will heal as so will she. She's still weak physically, but making progress. Her memory is also much better. She doesn't like the nursing home, but who would! There are many permanent residents there. And it can be very
depressing. But I told her to work hard so she won't have to stay there long. It would be nice to spring her by Christmas, but that probably won't
happen.
Thanks again for every one's good wishes!

Week in review

Another Lo-o-o-ng week nearly done! The Holiday season is always the busiest. I'm not complaining though. At least I have a job. And here in Michigan, the job market hasn't been real good.

Still no Rabbits yet. We've had an unusually warm couple of weeks. (YEA!) So no snow cover, no catch Rabbits. But there's still a lot of winter ahead.(BOO!) And the mild weather has made it much easier to drive back and forth to Muskegon (90miles)to see Mom. Who is getting stronger every day. I know she's getting better because she asked me to bring my scissors up this weekend, and asked Louie to bring her lipstick. Thanks for all the e-mails and e-cards!

No further mouse evidence in the mo-ho. Maybe all the poison has done the job. (I HOPE!)

Yesterday after work,

we made cookies and fudge.

The week before Christmas,

we set up a table at work filled

with goodies for the customers.

All the staff makes stuff,

and customers bring in goodies all so.

It's one big pig out week!

Craig made is famous Cashew Fudge,

(which we have to cut yet)and

I made Russian Tea Cakes.

When we get back from Muskegon,

we'll make more.

Final Mom update

Mom was transferred to a nursing home Wednesday, where she will get some rehab so she can go back home.

She is doing very well.

Expecting complete recovery!

Here's a pic from November,

of Mom, Bruce, and some little kid.

Must be Bruce's youngest.

Just kidding Bruce!

Brothers

With my Mom in the hospital this last weekend, It gave our family the rare opportunity to get together. Our family has never been close. The last time we were all together, was at my Dad's funeral 20 years ago. Some of my brothers I haven't seen for 10 years or more!


It's kinda sad that it takes a family emergency to get everyone together, but that seems to be it for our family. One of my sister in laws thought it would be a good idea to get a picture of all of us boys together for mom, so we did. My sister in N.C. was unable to make it because her son has been called up for Iraq duty, and could go any day now.


But here's the rest of the motley crew.
The oldest, Phil is in front.
The next oldest is me,
the good looking tall one in back.
Next oldest is Louie,
the bald'ish one to my right.
Then Brian, to my left,
and finally, the runt of the litter,
Bruce to my far left.
Quite a group huh?
Picture was taken in the
hospital lobby.

Click on the pic to see us better.

It actually was really nice to see everyone.

It would be nice if we could all get together for Christmas. But I kinda think that won't happen.

Mom is progressing. We're hopful for full recovery.

Mom update

Two days now, and there's remarkable improvement! She's talking normally, here face is looking better, such as eyes opening wider, and face being more animated. She looks and acts soooo much better! They have removed most tubes and are moving her from Critical Care to a regular room this afternoon. They have even said she may be released in a few days. I don't think she well be ready, but Medicare won't let her stay once her heart situation is good, even though she may still be too weak to go home by herself. We'll probably put her in a nursing home rehab till she's stronger.
Thanks for all the e-mails and prayers.

Wayne

Mom

I haven't posted in a while because my Mom suffered a heart attack on Friday morning. I am in Muskegon Mi. I am using a computer in the family lounge of the hospital this morning. I don't have a laptop yet. She had a blocked artery. They put a stint in. The heart suffered little damage. We are thankful for that. Yesterday they removed the breathing tube and she's breathing on her own. She is able to speak some words, and recognises us, and understands what we are saying. She is still sleeping this morning, and am anxious to see how she is when she awakens. There was steady if slow improvement during the day yesterday.

Will update this when possible.

Wayne

Friday Dec 8

Well, I finished my two 12 hr days. They are long, but it affords me a three day weekend, so I am happy with that! This is how it goes every week .2-12ish hr days, and 2-8ish hour days. Mostly depends on how many appointments I have.

I'll reset the rabbit traps when I get home.

With the very cold Dec. we're having,

we should keep the snow cover,

which makes for easier rabbit catching.

What happened to global warming?

Yesterday was only a high of 20,

and today maybe 28.

But it is looking better next week.

Maybe near 40 for Wed.

That would be nice. This is too much

winter this early in the season.

And winter is long enough as it is.

Wednesday Decenber 6

Well. If finding rabbit tracks in the back yard wasn't bad enough, I went in the motor home yesterday to run the engine and generator, which we do once a month while in storage. And what do I find? MOUSE TURDS! And some partial eaten mouse bait. I only hope they ate the bait and went outside to die! We never got any last year, and this year to be extra safe, we took the advice of some online RV sites, and put fabric softener dryer sheets everywhere in the mo-ho. Well, that sure didn't work!

I mean Craig put them in the basement compartments, in every drawer and closet. Under the bed and couch. They didn't do a thing!

Now, if anyone has a better idea, I'm all ears!

I did put more mouse bait in the mo-ho

and outside behind all the tires.

And someone said moth balls

around the tires so I did that too.

Boy do those things stink!

But then, maybe I should set traps,

there might be a market for dead mice!

Rabbit update

Haven't caught any Rabbits, Yet!
But not to worry. Until the snow cover stays awhile, They aren't hungry
enough to go into the traps. BUT THEY WILL! And then ,
OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
Okay, not really. Just Kidding!
But for the next two days,
I'll have to disable the traps because
I work 12 hours each day.
Which means I'll go to work in the dark,
and go home in the dark.
Yuk!
And after those long days'
I don't want to go out and
haul rabbit butts away.
But I will get them!