THE FUNNY THING ABOUT SHOES....

--When the a shoe is on the wrong foot it makes for a hard time walking. Not impossible I suppose just hard. But like all things it's amazing what you can get used to, both out of necessity. And just plan not paying attention.
--I’m sure there’s a term for the whole experience. And probably a whole bunch of people studying the long term effects. And before long there will be a bunch of people demanding their equal rights. And we'll have to suffer through another bout of phobia watchdogs who'll be crying foul over the most minuscule infringement on their rights.
--Myself I find the easiest thing to do is pay attention when your putting your dang fool shoes on. But what do I know. I’m just a old pink hat wearing fool who tries to learn from His mistakes. Not try to justify them with fancy terms and keep on making them......

LEARNING TO SLEEP WITH A QUILT....

--One of the hardest thing's I ever had to do when I was a child was learn how to sleep with a quilt. Oh they were warm as all get out, and greatly appreciated especially on a frosty night. The fact that the weighed what seemed like 5 tons and made it tad hard to move around was a bit much to over come at times. But if you worked really hard you could do it. Otherwise you just enjoyed the cocoon of warmth and fell fast asleep.
--Little did I know at the time of course that the search for warmth on frosty winter nights would be a life long quest. Perhaps I would have spent more time enjoying the cocoon and not fighting to be free.
--Like all could haves, would haves, and should haves you can't do much about the past. Just try and learn from it.
--Something I have tried to share with my children over the years. Which wasn't the easiest thing to do in a world that seems to have a fondness of trying to rewrite the past to something their more conformable with.
--I will say one thing as time goes on sooner or later even reality filters through rose colored glasses. But hey what do I know I'm just a old pink hat wearing fool wishing he had a quilt cover his old bones with on a frosty night  Instead of what passes for a blanket these days.....

WHACK A DOODLE FRIENDS....

--Maybe it's just me but watching to cats go at it tooth and nail and then curl up to next each other twenty minutes later and take a nap. Is a dang fool mind bender. Especially since the dang fool's have even got poor Bug-eyes playing the dang fool game now.
--Of course it probably wouldn't be bad if Waffles and Jerry didn't have to put their two cents into the mix. But I guess they don't like being woken up in the middle of the night any more than anybody else.
--I guess that’s what happens when you decide to share a tiny house with a bunch of whack a doodle little fur gremlins.
--And to be honest when the children were younger there where some pretty intense moments when we wondered if maybe there was a little switched at birth thing going on.
--But it mellowed out, with a little patience of course. The little darling learned to try to remember they were family. Not gang members in a constant state of getting read o rumble.
--Now if I could just get the dang fool cats to try and remember it might work out better. In the mean time I’ll just settle for getting the little darlings to confine their rumbling to during the day. And not all hours of the night.....

THE QUEST FOR A CAN OPENER....

--One of the things we have to replace constantly is a dang fool can opener. Since the beginning of the year we've replaced the dang fool thing once a month. So far this will be our 12th. Why it is so hard to build a can opener that last's is beyond me.
--I will say one thing trying to find a brand that lasts longer than a month is darn near impossible. So far we have tried just about all of the electric and are now back to the hand cranks. For the simple reason of economics of course. It’s cheaper to buy a handful of hand can openers than a shopping cart full of electric ones.
--Sort of makes you wonder if maybe we built things to last what might happen to the environment just in the amount of can openers being thrown away.....

GETTING BACK INTO THE SWING....

--With the holiday finally passed everyone seems eager to get back into the swing of things. Myself I find the days after Christmas a time for quiet reflection on the year slowly coming to a close, and the new one approaching.
--My wife shakes her head as she hustles about dragging the old Christmas tree back into the corner. And with the help of the children sending the wrapping paper scraps out to the trash. All except those few Bug-eyes has carefully horded so He has something to play with later.
--It's back to the business at hand and the house is in for a shakeup or to. As space is made for presents. And dust bunnies are once again the villain of the day.
--Of course by the time the ball drops, we'll be ready for the new year. With a clean house and everyone filled with new year cheer.
--In the mean time, it seems once again it's off to find a broom mop and dustpan I am.....

A WELCOME RELIEF....

--It seems so easy for people to fall back into the swing of thing's. The holidays are done for awhile and it's back to the business at hand.
--Myself I’ll miss the days up to the old gather around the Christmas tree event. Not because of all the presents but it was yet another in a limited line of opportunities to gather with friends and love ones and express our love for each other. With out being hit with a abnormal label of desperately trying to buck the current norm.
--Expressing our love for our children has always been something my wife and I tried to make known to our children while growing up. Sometime much to their embarrassment. But over time the forgave our indiscretions by explaining to their friends that their mother and father marched to their own drummer.
--Of course in this day and age of the Me Me's it does seem to be some what of a foreign concept. Maybe if everyone did one nice thing for someone else each day would we could turn the tide. And who knows it might just start a ripple effect.
--But what do I know I’m just a old pink hat wearing fool, trying to figure out how to keep one step ahead of the black cloud of negativity in this brave new whack a doodle world we seem to be living in these days....

A DAY OF REST....

--I often wonder who came up with the saying. It sure as Sam hill wasn't anybody with a house full of children and whack a doodle pet's.
--Some days it seems the only ones who get any rest are the pets and children. But then again maybe it's just me.
--I do know one thing. Things do have a tendency to slow down on Sunday. But maybe that’s just me.
--Of course the blessings the little darlings provide are more than enough to over come the hectic pace it takes to keep up with them. So I guess it could be worse.....

SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS AND COFFEE....

--For years when the children were little Saturday mornings cartoons were the staple of starting of Saturday. When video recorder’s came the ability to tape just about everything of interest and watch it later when there was time.
--Running out of room in a small house it gets kind of tight so certain things have to find new homes. One of the things I’ve been working on for the last couple of years is the dang fool video tapes I’ve accumulated over the years.
--It's a slow process putting them on the computer and going through them. But it has enabled me to come across quite a few forgotten treasure's.
--Most are stuff taped of TV. And since I always taped anything of remote interest to anyone there’s still quite a bunch to go. Among them of course are the golden oldies of Saturday cartoons.
--Which is kind of a two for in my book. Every Saturday lately I spend a few minutes watching a few of the oldies while drinking my coffee.
--Of course my wife figures it's because I’m just a old kid who refuse to grow up. And she’s probably right. She usually is. But in my defense I just like the dang fool things. And some of them were funny and I figure anything that can make a fellow laugh especially in this day of whack a doodle ness sure deserves a revisit....

BUG-EYES AND THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS...

--The poor little fellow spent most of the night sound asleep. Apparently chasing ever piece of wrapping paper around the living room Christmas morning was a little to much for him. Because He crashed shortly after and spent most of the day recharging.
--Now of course He's roaring and making His presence known to all.
--Of course the other cats are not to impressed. But they are only mad because Bug-eyes has a tendency to be a bit pushy when it comes to who belongs where.
--The funny thing is the dogs have no problems other than the weather. And it being a chill morning.
--But like all things I suppose it could be worse. At least the little whack a doodles have mellowed out a bit about who’s king of the mountain for awhile.....

CHRISTMAS MORNING TWO STEP....

--Try as you might the first steps come a wee bit hard. But it's amazing what the day brings. This morning called Christmas.
--Of course the coffee's a must. So it's off to start the dang fool pot. Then se deal with the furry little ones before all the Christmas fun.
--A quick sweep and mop would be nice, but you settle for a damp touch up or two. And then it's off to wake up the wife and the children to.
--When the presents are passed out and the opening begins. You remember the camera and even remember how to work the dang fool thing. Which given the circumstances is a miracle in itself.
--Oh what fun this day called Christmas brings about. It’s enough to make you go outside and shout Merry Christmas to all but it's just to dang chilly right now. So you settle for a hug and whispered prayer or two. And hope the Christmas spirit finds everyone and no ones to blue.....

LAZY RAINY PRE CHRISTMAS DAYS...

--I still marvel at the ability of a hours of rain to just suck the energy out of a other accomplishment filled day. But like everything it's sure is consistent. because it sure never fails.
--Of course after spending the first half of the month giving the house a through cleaning and rearranging the furniture. There’s not much left to do.
--The presents are wrapped, the trees up, and after a bout of baking maybe were just a tad tired and a cloudy rain filled day is just the excuse we need to spend the day watching hallmark movies with our feet up.
--What ever the case, the last few days before Christmas are usually when things slow down a bit and it's just a matter of days to the big event...

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON SHAKE AND BAKE....

--I don't mind a little chill in fact over the years I’ve even gotten it down to a system or two for handling the whole thing.
--Of course the whole up down go around thing is a mind bender sometimes. I’ll spend more time putting clothes on and taking them off than anything else during the day. But even that's manageable to a certain extent.
--Right now it seems the new kid on the block is the Christmas season shake and bake. Chilly in the morning warm in the afternoon and chilly again when the sun goes down.
--But like all things it's probably how you look at them that matter's the most. at lest that's what I’m finding out.
--I do know one thing for sure sitting around wallowing in my coffee about the whole thing hasn't ever worked.
--The best thing I’ve found is making the best of the situation and getting on with the business of trying to have a good day that works the best. But what do I know I’m just a old pink hat wearing fool....

THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS....

--Even though everyone is a wee bit older there's still excitement in the air on the day before Christmas. To some it's a welcome relief of all the rushing about. And no more of that dang fool Christmas music. With others the I can't wait and get that dang fool tree the Sam hill out of my living room. cause I’m tired of vacuuming up needle's usually comes up right about now.
--Like all thing's of course I’m pretty sure how you choose to look at things that matter the most. If your looking for a reason to condemn the season it's not hard to do. But if you take a step back it's also easy to find a few positives.
--Myself I’ll miss the whole season where the walls come down a bit and people are just a little bit friendlier. Where they exchange a greeting while passing by instead of playing with their dang fool do dad's. And actually smile instead the constant frowning of most of the year.
--But like all thing's it wont be long and it'll be back to the same old same old. And once again I’ll say my yearly prayer hoping people can find it themselves to take just a little Christmas cheer with them into the new year.....

WAFFLES AND THE SINGING CHRISTMAS DOLLS...

--It really doesn’t take much to get waffles going. Turn the vacuum cleaner on and watch him start to go into banshee mode barking like a fool.
--Hang a Christmas clock that plays Christmas music every hour and listen to him howl every hour to the coral being played.
--Set a Christmas doll in the kitchen and he just about looses his little mind.
--For some reason the dang fool dog does not like anything different. About the only time he is quiet is when he is sleeping. But usually that's only for a little while because he'll wake up growling at thin air.
--I suppose it could be worse. At lest he's a some what happy little fellow most of the time. And is more than ready to let you know how happy he is to see you when you come back from being out and about.....

CHRISTMAS CHILL....

--One quick breath and your can feel the chirpiness in the air. The Christmas chill has arrived once again.
--Whether it's on a lonely roadside in the middle of nowhere or crowed shopping center waiting in line. It's getting colder and the chill follows close behind.
--Gone are the warm and fuzzy feeling of the impending day and the reality of the season starts nipping at our heals.
--Your head starts to swim and you find yourself swaying on the edge of despair. Trying for the life of you to gather enough warmth for those few moments when your teeth start to a chattering.
--Myself I usually hunker down, count my blessings and try to remember like most things it'll pass. I just need to slow down a tad and keep my eye on the ball.
--The chill I’ve also found to be a two edge sword of sorts. But if I keep thing in perspective. I usually end up with a pretty good shot at weathering the storm.
--Of course when it does pass which it always does. What’s left is the beauty of the crispness and flowing blanket of white for a little icing on the cake.
--And even though it would be nice if it was a tad warmer even a crispy day has it's moments. Like all things it's usually how you look at it that helps the most....

A PICTURE WITH SANTA....

--On a visit to the local farm and supply center recently for cat food. I happened across a announcement for a bring your pet in for a picture with Santa event they were having later that day.
--On the face of it sounded quite cute. And couldn't help but remind me of the first time we tried to take the children for a visit with Santa.
--Amazingly the older ones were ok with it. And my youngest didn't really want to leave the old fellow. My middle child just wouldn't have anything to do with the whole idea. And instead had to have her list handed to the old fellow.
--I tried to talk my wife into hanging around to see how the pets made out with the event. But we were running short of time.
--Of course when we were trying to make our way through the people waiting in line with their pets. It looked like old Santa was going to be in for some fun with that group of four legged little darlings....

CHRISTMAS GAMES WITH PET‘S....

--Before I got married I never really put much thought into pets. That’s not to say I didn’t have any. It’s just that I never really put much thought into them.
--Of course getting married to a women who was and still is the pet whisper. Can do allot to a fellow. And one of those things is taking a look at pets in a new light.
--When the children came along so it seems did the endless line of pets. Everything from birds, to 400lb pigs. Each one with a different personality to boot.
--Right now our current little batch seems high on the personality department. and not much else sometimes.
--Myself I’ve never put much stock it games. Mostly because I’ve always tried to keep things pretty simple. Pets on the other hand are allot like people it seems when it comes to games. Everyone has their favorite. And will be more than happy to start a few rounds when ever they get a chance.
--In a perfect world I suppose everyone would get along and try to understand each other before flying off on a whack a doodle rant that usually ends up with the fur flying and allot of snapping to boot.
--Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world. And as a result I often find myself in the middle a whack a doodle game or to with our little darling’s and the pets of course. It came make for some interesting times to say the lest.
--It’s amazing just how much patience it often requires just to get through the dang fool day sometimes. Especially around the Christmas season when everyone’s emotions are running a wee bit on the high side. But like all thing’s I find even when you think the well has run dry, there’s always seems to be a few drops left when it comes to dealing with the lovable little whack a doodle’s.
--Or perhaps after all these years I’m just to dang tired to raise a full head of steam about the little games. Either way a deep breath and a slow smile is about the most I can muster. And amazingly it works better than diving in with few rants of my own.
--Like all thing’s the games usually pass and everyone realizes they do in fact love each other. Inspire of themselves. And that’s what’s family about. Whether they be a bunch of whack a doodle pets or children in chicken little mode….

CHRISTMAS CARTOONS....

--Usually from the day after Halloween until the ball drops, we spend time getting re acquainted with all the old Christmas movies and specials we have enjoyed over the years. And of course any new ones that happen along.
--Lately their have been quite a few so in that department we have not been lacking.
--Of course along with the Christmas movies and specials there were those cartoons that we also enjoyed. Unfortunately as everyone has gotten older they are not up for that stroll down memory lane. So as I’m more than happy to find any excuse to watch a cartoon I usually spend a little time on Saturday morning watching a few old Christmas cartoons.
--Say what you will about cartoons. But myself I like quite a few of the older ones. And some of the songs I’ll take to humming when I find myself hitting a low point during the year.
--To me that’s what entertainment should be about. Something that makes you feel better when you reach the end. And takes your mind of your troubles for those few minutes you spend walking down that old memory lane path.
--But again that’s just me. I find life’s hard enough. Just spend 5 minutes going through the headlines of a daily news paper and if your don’t end up with a headache or shaking your head in wonder your a better person than I am.
--I find this little breaks watching old movies, specials and Christmas cartoons gives me enough of a mental recharge to continue on the road of this whack a doodle life. It may not be much but so far it seems to work....

BUG EYES AND THE PRETTY PAPER....

--It use to be the children were the only ones you had to worry about sneaking a peak at the presents under the tree. Now of course bug eyes has become  fascinated with the pretty paper.
--At first we figured he was chasing mice. But when he showed up one morning with a bow stuck to him that he couldn't get off we realize he'd spent half the night playing whack a doodle games with the wrapping paper.
--The good thing of course is this new fascination has taken his mind of the tree for a bit. The bad news is with 5 days to go until Christmas were going to be re wrapping a lot of presents.
--I suppose it could be worse, at lest he still finds time to catch a few mice. Which he's been leaving next to the tree. I guess besides milk and cookies this year old saint nick can expect to find a little something from bug eyes left out for him....

CHRISTMAS BAKING BONANZA....

--Most holidays bring about a baking bonanza. Starting with the new year, and coming to a final head during the Christmas season.
--All year long there’s a vast array of baking going on. From pies to cookies and other little treats.
--I’ll say one thing about my wife it doesn't take much to get her started on a batch of something. From Jan to Dec the women loves to bake something up.
--Over the years this has proven to be the one thing that gets everyone together. And more than willing to help. Which is the main attraction for me.
--Usually getting the little darlings attention for anything else requires patience of a Tibetan monk, to pry them away from their do dads long enough to have a conversation. Let alone help with something.
--But mention a batch of something  in the oven and your tripping over the little wing nuts wanting to help.....

CHRISTMAS SEASON STEAKS AND SEAFOOD....

--About the only thing waffles is good at is barking. Of course he quite happy to display this without any coaching at all. Sometimes even late at night when he hear boogers with his little bat ears.
--About the only time it come in useful is when your running a vacuum and someone happens to knock at the front door. Then little waffles goes into banshee mode and has a good old time letting everyone know there’s someone out there.
--Fighting of the little whack a doodle to get the door open is a pain but luckily we have it down to a system. Not the best but if your persistent you'll usually overcome long enough to get the door open before whoever’s out there gets tired of waiting and decides to leave.
--Such was the case when the steak and seafood guy made his yearly appearance at our door.
--After getting through waffles I finally got the dang fool door open to find him standing there grinning from ear to ear. He seemed to have lost his train of thought because it took him a few moments to compose himself before he started his spiel. When he was done I said sorry, we couldn’t use any steak or seafood and instead offered him a guard dog for his truck. But he said no he had two at home and was quite sure that was enough.
--Of course when I came back in waffles was beside himself with joy that the door knocking booger hadn't taken me away. So I had to pat the little fool a couple of times to reassure him. Before I went back to cleaning and the next booger made a appearance. And the whole whack a doodle game had to be started over again….

CLOUDY CHRISTMAS SEASON AFTERNOON....

--Cleaning is a pain in the neck. Cleaning to the sound and delights of Christmas not so much.
--Funny thing about Christmas music it seems to bring out the cheerfulness in just about everybody.
--Even the hardcore hermits have a tendency to get a  little lively when the old Christmas music starts playing.
--I mentioned to my wife she might not want to loose that CD when Christmas was over. She just smiled and showed me where she put the CD case, right next to the CD player. With the other little darling she likes to play on occasion.
--I’ll say one thing for my wife she catches on right quick....

LIFE'S LITTLE CHRISTMAS SEASON BLESSINGS....

--One of the many reasons I like Christmas, and believe everyday day another reason seems to pop up. So the list keeps growing. Is the little blessings that happen along the way.
--Now being a somewhat simple minded fellow has over the years been both a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I’ve always tried to keep things pretty much simple in how I look at things. The curse well in a world filled with people and circumstances that want to do nothing but make things as complicated as possible the two don't fit together very well.
--Over the years this has lead to many problem. Some way beyond my control. And some just a matter on how you look at things.
--I love the Christmas season because it's a chance for some breathing room where life’s little blessing are more easily noticeable. And often not over looked. Something I try real hard to carry over into the new year.
--When I became a parent I always went out of my way to try to make a point of showing my children this. Which at times has been hard in this now now now society. But like everything with a little patience I find it is possible to turn the tide for even a little while.
--Even now I’m noticing some of their perspectives have over the years have changed a tad to take into account many of life’s little blessing found along the road of life.
--My wife can attest to this fact, when she accuses me of never worrying about things. It not that I don’t worry because I do. It's just that I try to keep what limited time I have to doing the best I can with what I have.
--Some things beyond my control I’m forced by necessity to let go of. And turn them over to a prayer or to for  somebody else to handle. Otherwise I’ll find myself wallowing around under a black cloud.
--Of course the things I can do something about I take care of with gusto and have more good days as a result.
--It’s not a perfect system but one it’s taken me many years of trail and error to perfect. And for some whack a doodle reason it seems to work.
--I guess even old pink hat wearing fools can learn a few new tricks from time to time….

WAITING FOR THE CHRISTMAS MAGIC TO WORK IT'S SPELL...

--Being patient usually calls for two sides of the equation. Of course that would be ideal. Most of the time lately I find myself shaking my head and whispering a prayer or two while I wait patiently for the old Christmas spirit to work it's magic on those few who stick hard and fast to their steadfast ways.
--Each year I hope it will be the one, and each year it seems to be the same.
--I imagine when it does happen it'll be a Christmas Carol moment. and everyone will be filled with the magic of the season.
--In the mean time I’ll keep whispering my prayers waiting for the magic of the season to work....

CHRISTMAS COOKIES.....

--No matter what way you say it Christmas cookies spell fun. Everyone takes a hand as they gather around. Christmas music in the air lends to the festive atmosphere. And everyone takes a break from what it is that usually fills their day.
--Most of the time it's hard to get everyone on the same page. Thank god for holidays. It seems to be the only time we all can agree on anything. And after a long year it's a nice way to wrap things up. Especially if it's been a fun filled year of constant little squabbles about the most minute things.
--Of course the added factor is the cookies themselves. Which are just little bits of heaven, for a bunch of old grumps to enjoy.
--Now all I have to figure out is how each month should be celebrated with their own cookie and I’ll be all set...

CHRISTMAS SEASON DELIGHTS....

--Usually when the Christmas season comes around people are a little bit more open minded to things. So that’s when we try to get a few things accomplished. Like trying different foods, or just changing the old furniture around a bit.
--On top of shopping for presents and such it makes for a busy little month. But in the end it's worth it. Because nothing gets on your nerves quicker than a bad case of the same old same old. It’ll drag you down quicker than a pair of cement shoes in the middle of the ocean blue.
--Of course the children have gotten use to the whole ordeal over the years and don't really protest as much as they used to when they were younger. Which is why we really go for broke during the month of December.
--All in all it makes for a month filled with a lot of activity for everyone and in the when the old ball drops everybody's pretty much ready for a brand new year.....

CHRISTMAS WRAPPING....

--Wrapping Christmas presents has never really been my thing. Especially since I don’t think the person who receives the gift really looks at the dang fool wrapping to closely. Other than to check the tag and make sure it to them. How the gift is wrapped is really low on the list, when it comes to presents presentation. But maybe that’s just me.
--My wife will spend extreme amounts of time making sure everything is perfect. Right down to the placement to the name tag and the bows.
--Myself I find the paper to dang thin, and just really hard to work with. As a result I’m usually on tape detail. Which is Ok unless you lose the end. And then you'll drive yourself whack a doodle crazy trying to find it again. Which usually is where I end up more time than I care to count.
--But like everything if we work together we usually get it done. And none the worse for wear. Sometimes even enjoying the whole experience to boot. Especially if I can talk my wife into putting a Hallmark movie in while we work....

EARLY MORNING CHRISTMAS CHEER....

--Generally mornings are a pain in the neck. What with trying to drink coffee and getting the kinks out of the old bones. It just makes for a rough few moments of the day.
--Being the Christmas season makes it a tad easier. Because along with starting the coffee pot I pop in a CD of some Christmas music and wake up while waiting for the dripping bean.
--Of course like everything when it comes to Christmas music you have to weed out the dark and brooding little darling’s. Because if it's one thing I don't need in the morning is a reminder's life can be a pain in the neck.
--Over the years I’ve patiently gathered a bunch of feel good Christmas CD’s and these are the ones we usually play around the house.
--My wife laugh's because she knows all about it and pretty much agrees. Music should make you feel better not like your slowly being ground down by yet another opposing force.
--The only time she gets a tad upset is when I pop a Christmas CD in in the off season. But she'll look the other way for awhile as she sings along. Because even she can see the effect of the uplifting lyrics on the upcoming day.....

CHRISTMAS SNAPPERS....

--Snappers are a pain in the neck anytime of the year. But around Christmas time their really annoying because are emotions are running so high.
--Over the years I’ve had my run ins with snappers of all sort. And have found the best place to file them is under things I can't control. Make the best of it at the moment. Wade through and get to the other side.
--Oh it doesn't take the sting out of the little boogers, but it does tend to keep them in perspective. Which I’ve found helps in the long run.
--Now if your reading this your probably wondering just what the Sam hill snappers are. And just what in Sam hill I’m talking about.
--To me snappers are those instances in life where you just want to bust into tear's cause your so frustrated. Or just go all hulk and smash something. Of course it's probably a bad for instance. But hey what can I say I usually tend to lean towards keeping things simple.
--My wife can attest to the fact that I’ve come along way's in handling the little boogers. When I was younger they usually were my downfall to finishing a good day on a high note.
--Now of course not so much. Maybe getting older has taught me a few things, or I’m just to dang burn tired to raise a full head of steam anymore.
Whatever the case it is. It's been awhile since I’ve allowed the little boogers to get the best of a good day.
--Oh and before I forget saying the Serenity Prayer helps a lot to. Some times I probably say at it least a million times while I wade through a snapper or two.
--Like at things in life I find it all boils down to how you look at thing that usually matter the most. That and keeping your eye on the prize of course....

CHRISTMAS SEASON SUNRISE WITH WAFFLES....

--For some reason I thought it might be cool to take a pre sunrise walk with waffles. Being that it won't be to long before the snow flies and then it'll be a contest just to keep upright let alone walk.
--I will say one thing about waffles he's got a one track mind. Go out do his business and then he wants to go back in the house. Walking around watching the sunrise he's not to interested in. In fact he spent most of the time remaindering me of just that fact. When the sun did finally show up, he was besides himself with joy.
--But it was fun watching all the pretty colors and humming a few Christmas songs. About the only ones who seemed remotely interested were my neighbors chickens and turkeys. Who were more than happy to join in. So I guess it wasn't a total loss.....

CHRISTMAS SPECIALS....

--My wife just shakes her head when running through the flyers around Christmas time. The season specials are printed up in such bright colors you can't miss them. Of course a lot of the stuff is a little out there when it comes to necessity. But I guess that’s the insanity of the season.
--Usually we keep it simple because not only is it relatively easy to prepare. We’ve been blessed with children who are quite rigid in their likes and dislikes.
--Once in awhile we'll throw together something totally different. And the resulting grumbling is really something to see. But after a bit they calm down and realize a little change can actually be good. And we end up with a different meal to prepare.
--Of course the best time to introduce something new to the little darlings is around the holidays. When their attention is occupied with other stuff…..

CHRISTMAS TREES AND CATS....

--Cats love to climb trees. even ones that are decorated with Christmas do dads. In fact some cats seem to think Christmas trees are a two for apparently. A tree with pretty little cats toys attached.
--Such is the case with little old bug eyes. Every morning so far we've had to spend a fair amount of time picking the dang fool ornaments up.
--The funny thing is no matter how much you scold the little fool he just goes right back at it again.
--Luckily we've learned a few things over the years like tying the dang fool tree to the wall so the cats can't tip it over.....

HANGING STOCKING'S FOR CHRISTMAS....

--Rounding up stocking's for Christmas and hanging them is always fun.
--Of course when you share the house with assorted pets you have to take in account their place in the chain of events.
--Apparently bug eyes my son's cat felt he needed a stocking to because after my wife got all the stocking's hung he found a sock and kept pestering her with it until she realized he wanted his hung up to.
--When she finally hung it with the rest of them he seemed quite happy.
--Now of course it's the first thing he checks every morning on his daily romps through the house. Who says cats are not like children....

LITTLE CHRISTMAS BELL RINGER'S....

--While out and about the other day my wife and I happened across a couple of the most cutest little baby bell ringer’s. It really was a sight.
--A lady who was the mom was doing the bell ringing while her two daughters were sitting in their little chairs singing Christmas songs.
--It was nice to see such Christmas spirit in ones so little. Just the fact that they were actually doing something together and not playing with their do dads was amazing.
--I guess it just goes to show you can have fun without those dang fool do dads after all. Because they sure were having a ball just singing a bunch of old Christmas songs....

LIVING ROOM CHRISTMAS LIGHTS....

--When the children were little, we decorated the living room with Christmas lights. My wife was more than happy to point out that most people put the things on the outside of there house.
--My response was of course oh pooh. Just because most people do something doesn’t mean I have to. If anything it generally means I’ll head in the other direction. Besides the children loved the dang fool things and that was why I did it in the first place.
--Well over the years we kept up the tradition until it in itself became our norm. I guess that’s how thing’s change. A little bit at a time.
--Of course having Christmas lights hanging in the living room also drives the poor old cats bonkers. And that’s a two for in my book. So I guess the tradition here to stay for awhile at least....

THE CHRISTMAS ESCAPE....

--Myself I love it when it's the Christmas Season time of year where it's ok to be friendly. And actually looked upon as being with the season.
--Any other time of the year if you smile at some people to much they think your a tad of your track and quickly gather their young about them and scamper off to safety.
--But at Christmas people seem to spend less time hovering over their phones, while they wonder about. And actually have smiles on their faces. Which makes it kind of nice when you pass by with a howdy or two.
--It's almost as if for a time they've allowed the walls to come down on their self imposed prisons and let a little sunshine in.
--Of course it would be nice if they wouldn't be so quick to throw them back up when the ball drops. But maybe if they get enough sun during the Christmas Season they'll realize it's ok to leave a crack or two.
--In the mean time I say a few prayers for those that don't and keep smiling at those that do.....

CHRISTMAS PROMISES....

--When I was younger I made quite a few Christmas promises to myself that allowed me to survive the holidays at the time. Of course when I got married and had children fulfilling those promises in a world gone whack a doodle for the latest just got to have cant live with out syndrome was quite hard at times. But over the year we did the best we could.
--Sharing Christmas with children pets and a loving wife can be some of the most trying times or some of the best. Or a balance between the two of course. Most of the time it all boils down to how you choose to look at things.
--Unfortunately to often we get caught up in the got to have, can’t live with out syndrome that seems to plague us all at some point in our lives.
--Trying to function becomes a contest of will you sink or will you swim in the quicksand of the doldrums. Most often it's a teetering we go through the holidays. With the black cloud of despair following us until the ball drops and beyond. Instead of finding the comfort and joy of celebrating a special day of togetherness. We end up dreading the whole dang fool mess.
--Myself I try to keep it simple. The day is filled with as much love and understanding as we can muster. And we enjoy the time being gathered round sharing another holiday with each other.
--It probably goes against the norm but it seems to work for us. And if anything it brings us all just a little bit closer....

CHRISTMAS GIFT CHECK....

--Usually it's good to find out if a gift needs accessories before it's opened and not after. I still remember a few Christmas morning drives looking for some place that was open to buy batteries and what not.
--Now after many years of trial and quite a few errors we keep a running list of what needs what. And if any thing needs to be charged before Christmas day.
--So far we've been lucky the last few years not to many Christmas morning mishaps. Unless you count giving cats catnip toys for Christmas, or dogs squeaky toys….

CHRISTMAS SEASON LINES....

--Waiting in line at Christmas time is usually fun. Of course myself a lines a line and I usually try to make the best of it. By carrying a book in my back pocket, or chatting with who ever’s with me. Or even trying to strike up a conversation with those of us in line. At Christmas time people are generally a tad more friendly so it helps a bit when trying to talk to them.
--The ones I have a hard time with are the people who go out of their way to step on others to get one step closer to the beginning of the line. It seems a shame to be so concerned with getting there first they forget the people they walked on to get there.
--Myself I always figured life was to short. And have been known to let people go before me on occasion. Especially if they only have a few things or what not.
--I always figured it only takes a second or two to be nice. What goes around comes around and all that.
--What those other people figure has always been a head scratcher for me but I guess it takes all kinds to keep this old world spinning. So usually I whisper a silent prayer for them and hope someday they see the light….

CHRISTMAS MUSIC FILLS THE AIR....

--Usually I don't really go out of my way to listen to a whole lot of music. and as I get older I find that the added distraction is just enough to derail what train of thought I might be on that it will take me days to recover.
--My wife on the other hand loves her music when were out and about, so we more or less compromise. She plays her music, and I hum along to my own little tunes.
--Of course around Christmas time it's a whole other story. It seems to be about the only kind of music we can agree on. So we usually sing along with gusto.
--And just in case we keep a few Christmas CD’s in the car for when even my wife can't stand what's playing on the radio.....

A CHRISTMAS PRESENT FOR BROWINE....

--Making a house for my son’s rabbit Brownie wasn't really on the agenda for the day. But it's amazing what can happen in the course of the day.
--Of course using a electric chainsaw in the house to cut up a old log can be a tad much. But like I said it's amazing where you find yourself sometimes in the course of a day.
--The children took one look at the mess in the living room and quietly retreated back to their rooms. I guess they figured the old man finally lost it.
--But the end result was worth it. Brownie loves his house. and even managed to smile when he was done loving it up.
--Yep it really is amazing just where you can end up in the course of the day. Especially around the Christmas Season…

CHRISTMAS MOVIE FESTIVAL….12/23/14

--I like Christmas movies. Usually we start watching them right after Halloween and continue until just after new years. And on occasion we’ll even pop a few in in the middle of June or July even.
--Over the years we worn out more than our share of video tapes and DVDs.
--At first my wife was what appeared to be an unwilling participant in our Christmas movie festival. Until she finally broke down and admitted she liked Christmas movies to.
--Our children have all grown up watching Christmas movies and Christmas themed cartoons. I know in this day and age it’s probably considered strange. But hey it brings us all together in the same room and these days that should be considered a  miracle in itself….

WORST CAT CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER….12/10/14

--I’d like to get my hands on the person who came up with the idea of giving cats catnip toys for Christmas. Just to sit them down and explain a few of the facts of life.
--You don’t give children chocolate bar’s and sweets before bed, and you don’t give cats catnip toys and expect to get much sleep.
--It been my experience that cats don’t need a reason to act goofy. Give them a bottle cap and they’ll drive themselves insane batting the darn thing around, until they’ll finally fall asleep somewhere for a little catnap. Only to wake up five minutes later and start the whole thing all over again.
--Children aren’t much better when it comes to chocolate. Take the most sweetest child and give them a chocolate bar and watch the fun start. They get down right goofy running around acting like minions from some world plant here for a little vacation before the invasion starts.
--Like I said before Cats are like kids. Now you’ll have to excuse me cause I really need to hide the chocolate, and find those dad burn catnip toys before the cats wake up from there nap….

HOVERING CHRISTMAS INTRUSION....

--When out shopping I really can't for the life of me understand sales people who hover under the pretense of constantly offering assistance. Mostly because depending what it is I usually have no idea what in Sam hill I’m looking for. Around Christmas it’s usually twice as bad because trying to find that just right gift for the right person can be a real mind bender.
--Of course on those rare occasions when I do need assistance, tracking down those same sales people is like trying to find Bigfoot at a revival meeting. Not impossible I suppose but it does require a lot more patience.
--My wife claims if I was more friendly when they came up they might hang around. And she probably is right. She usually is. On occasion I have tried to go with the flow and I usually ended up being pointed right where I didn't want to go. Where the prices are so high you can feel the jingle falling from your pockets as you walk by.
--I’m sure there’s a middle ground where it is possible to shop without all the hovering nonsense. I just haven’t found it yet. Maybe someday. In the mean time I’ll just amble along doing the best I can. Until that fateful day when people will realize a fella wearing a pink hat humming Christmas songs doesn't need assistance. Just to be left alone for a few minutes, so he can follow whatever train of thought that brought him in the front doors in the first place...

WHERE DID ALL THE CHRISTMAS SPECIALS GO...12/24/15

--Part of the reason we like watching Christmas movies I think is because of the lack of holiday specials, and Christmas themed shows on network TV.
--It used to be the days after Thanksgiving were a filled with specials and Christmas themed TVs shows. But now what's passes for a holiday special, or themed shows just isn't up to those of the past.
--My wife and I solved this problem by video taping a lot of the older shows when they were first run. So we can still watch them on occasion. But I feel sorry for a lot of the younger generation who will miss out on so much decent entertainment. Unless of course they find it on you tube or spring for a DVD or to....

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT VACUUM....

--Sometimes it's kind of easy to get caught up in the daily hustle of the day to day high's and lows, that when the old Christmas season rolls around your first response is here we go again.
--Then slowly it worms it's way into that hardened core that has become our life as of late and you can almost feel the glowing starting from within.
--With some it happens when the black flag is thrown down. And others it takes a wee bit longer but sooner or later it catch's us all in it's clutches.
--Whether it the door held open for you by a man leaning on a cane, or the smile of a baby from a shopping cart as you pass by. Sooner or later you start to remember just what makes the season special and you find your self with a smile or two to spare, and a over pressing need to share.
--Of course my wife clams the only reason I like the season is because it's the only time of year when a pink hat wearing old fool humming Christmas songs looks some what normal. She’s probably right of course. She usually is.
--Myself I prefer to think of it as the only time of year when everyone joins me on the whack a doodle wing nut side of life. Only time will tell the tale of course.
--Until then MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU-ALL welcome to the other side.....

A LITTLE SOMETHING SPECIAL UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE….12/21/14

--We had just set up the tree, and were in the process of cleaning and rearranging the living room to make room for all the Christmas activity’s.
--My wife was arranging the tree skirt around the tree when she found one of the cats catnip mice she had bought him last year. She picked it up and was squeezing it trying to get the cats attention. Apparently the one’s she had bought squeaked. And the one she was squeezing wouldn’t squeak. She yelled to me that there was something wrong with the mouse’s squeaker.
--Well I looked at the mouse and realized that it’s squeaking days were long past because it was a real mouse.
--When I pointed this out to my wife she threw the mouse and yelled at me because I was laughing.
--I couldn’t help it. It was funny and apparently even the dang cat thought it was funny because he brought his catnip mouse over to my wife.
--I smiled and said look dear he wants to play…

CHRISTMAS SMILES WARM THE CLOUDY DAYS....

--Usually when its cold damp and rainy I’m not much for shopping. In fact just getting around the house is a pain in the neck. Let alone hobbling around a store with a cane or leaning on a shopping cart.
--But my wife enjoys it so I try to put all that aside and tag along. Besides any excuse to where my pink floppy winter hat and hum Christmas songs usually puts a little spring in my step. Even if I’m using a dang fool cane or leaning on those dang fool shopping carts.
--Of course it is the only time of year my wife doesn't really mind the hat. and the songs well she's pretty much accepted the fact the old brain pan has a few wires loose and has learned to make the best of it.
--Shopping in a store that seems to favor me me’s is a tad hard. But even then she just goes about her way.
--I will say one thing about shopping in a store filled me me’s when comes to getting questions answered there appears to be a whole lot of people who are more than a little happy to answer a old pink hat wearing fools questions and see him on his way. It just makes a fella feel all warm and fuzzy at seeing all that Christmas cheer in one place....

CHRISTMAS HOURLY SIDESHOW...12/24/15

--Even though at times our family's pets can be a pain in the neck. There are times when we realize just why it is we keep them around.
--one of those times is the Christmas season. We have a clock in the kitchen that plays a Christmas jingle on the hour. Which in itself quite refreshing. But the pets response is what makes it all worth while.
--Every hour when the jingle starts the dogs will sing along and the cats will start racing around and  dancing about. It's like a hourly sideshow, which is kind nice after a stress filled day...

CHRISTMAS SEASON SHENANIGANS.....

--I’ll say one thing about cats and dogs. When it comes to Christmas and the whole season in general. They pretty much can't seem to figure out the difference and just go about there way doing what they do best. Trying it seems to drive me a little closer to the edge of nowhere.
--When it comes to late night shenanigans its a hey this is what we do type of deal. I guess its all part of the package when we choose to try to live with the four legged little gremlins.
--On a whole I try to be patient with the little fools. And they all pretty much know the quickest way to get my griddle corked.
--Some give me a brake and ease up around Christmas. And some just give me a look that say’s hey this is what I do deal with it.
--My wife of course just loves the little fools. As for myself I figure sooner or latter the little fools will get tired of trying impress me with their late night shenanigans and mellow out a bit. Of course I’m still waiting. But I suppose it could be worse. And to be honest they do have their moments.
--In the mean time its a Christmas season carousel around our place. With the constant cleaning and changing furniture around I figure I can keep the little fools dizzy enough they'll be to tired for late night shenanigans. I know its not much of a plan but their just something about cleaning to Christmas music that sets the mood for the house of whack a doodle that makes the whole thing almost fun....

CHRISTMAS IS COMING A PERFECT EXCUSE TO CLEAN THE HOUSE.…12/15/14

--The perfect excuse for a good cleaning is a upcoming holiday. It drives everyone nuts but it also keeps thing’s interesting.
--When we first got married it would drive me nuts, the way my wife would change the furniture around. She'd send me to the store and I would come back to find everything changed around. I swear I spent the first 5 years of our marriage stumbling around walking into stuff.
--No matter how much I complained she'd just smile and say "Well how else am I going to get the dust bunnies".
--It took me awhile but I finally caught on. And it wasn't long before I was changing the furniture around on my own. which in turn would drive the children nuts.
--But like everything else they have learned how to adapt. And even lately have started to begin going through their rooms making ready for their Christmas booty…

CHRISTMAS SEASON ROPE WALKING....

--I love the holidays, Christmas the most because people usually take a few extra seconds and try to be nice for a change.
--Oh you get those few who just can't bring themselves to let go for fear they might actually feel something. But usually it's just a few.
--Which usually gives the rest of us a little breathing room to gather what mental recharge we can to make it through the rest of the year.
--Once in awhile you still find yourself on the ropes being wailed on by those hard core scrooges but there's just something about the Christmas season that takes the sting out of it all.
--Myself I think it's a shame some can't find it in themselves to think a few seconds before they act or speck. But it takes all kinds I guess to keep this old world of our singing. So I usually just say a few prayer's for the fools and go about my way. Humming Christmas songs and gathering what recharge I can before the ball drops on another shinny new year and it's back to the trenches we go....

CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER BLUES….12/12/14

--Wondering around a local department store at Christmas time can be quite the adventure. The stores packed with loads of people, all looking for their what knots and do dads.  And if your not careful it’s very easy to become frustrated, by blocked isles ,packed with chatting customers.
--I once was held hostage by a roving band that seemed to be following me. After getting the whatever it was I was after, I found that no matter what isle I tried to get down they were all blocked.
--After ten minutes of trying to outdistance them I decided this was getting me no where. So I stopped and waited I figured sooner or later they’d move on and I’d be free.
--Well it wouldn’t have been so bad I guess , if my detention was in an area that could hold my interest. But I really didn’t like being held hostage in the Christmas trim a tree section. I mean you can look at just much Christmas wrapping paper and decorations before it starts to get to you. But I tried my best to enjoy myself, so I started humming Christmas songs.
--After about twenty minutes my wife finally found me lugging a arm load of stuff. With a flustered sigh she dropped her stuff in the cart, and looked me and shakes her head. And says, ”I looked all over the store and couldn’t find you. Then I heard two lady’s talking about the crazy man wearing a pink hat singing Christmas songs in the wrapping paper section . So I figured I better get over here before your were picked up by store security.”
--I just smiled and said, ”and  you said my pink hat wasn’t useful…”

DUSTING OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE....

--When the children were younger we tried the live tree thing. It went pretty well until the dang fool needles started falling. Then we decided it might be best to try a fake one rather then spent the rest of the year vacuuming up needles. And buying new vacuum cleaners.
--While this enabled us to put up and take down the tree with relative ease. We all still missed the old real tree. So we decided to buy one we could plant in the yard after Christmas was over.
--This worked out quite well until a flock of months ate the dang fool needles and we had to cut the things down. Now were stating over again  with the fake tree.
--But of course being that were running out of room in our little tiny house and really don’t have a place to store it we pretty much leave it up all year round.
--So every year we have to undecorated it vacuum it off and redecorate it. Which is kind of fun. Even though there’s a bit of grumbling you can tell from the twinkling in their eyes they still enjoy helping decorate the Christmas tree.
--It seems to be one of the few things that will get even the most harden ones out of their caves. That and dinner time of course....

THE MANIFESTATIONS OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT….12/18/14

--It seems to me that the Christmas spirit manifests itself in many different ways, in many different people.
--We all know about the kindness it brings out in total stranger's towards one another. Or the unrewarded acts of kindness, like dropping a present of for toys for tots' or what not.
--But what about the polar opposite, of giving. Yeah you know the rampart stinginess, or the person who wants and wants more around Christmas because they know it's the season for giving and it's just as good an excuse as any for not mending their ways.
--To these people I really recommend watching their P's and Q's. Because the universe has a way of keeping track of these transgressions. And payback will surly find you.
--In the mean time I'll say a Christmas prayer for you and hope you find the Christmas spirit before it's to late...

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH A BACKWARDS TWIST....

--Trying to find something special in the hodgepodge of limited availability within the walls of certain places is pretty dang hard. Around Christmas time it seem just about impossible.
--Walking through the isles it become more and more clear every year. The same old same old and a little less if that’s possible.
--Oh the boxes have changed a tad but its pretty much the same. A vast wonderland of plainness as far as he eye can see. So much for bigger is better I guess. Maybe people should of thought about that before the rush to jump at the merry Midas touch.
--I will say one thing if its exercise your after than bigger is sure as Sam hill better. Just covering half the dang fool place is guarantied to get the heart to fluttering. As for the other half its best to have a list handy because by the time your done there’s bound to be a bit of memory loss for sure.
--Oh and you might want to bring a good book to read because waiting for one of the two registers is bound to take awhile. Unless you take a whack at the do it yourself register. Where you get to save Mister bigger is better even more money so He can serve up even more of the same old same old. Your bound to be in for a even longer wait while they go through your receipt to make sure you rang up everything in your cart.
--I will say one thing over the past few years the majority of our Christmas shopping has been done at smaller stores that specialize is being original. Not being so dang fool big you need to carry a compass just to find your way out again.....

YARD SALE CHRISTMAS LIGHT BLUES….11/27/14

--First all I want to state I love my wife. She is without a doubt an original. She has blessed me with four wonderful children who have proven my mothers curse wasn't a joke put a foretelling of the future to come. "I hope you have children who are just like you." And like I said she got her wish. thanks ma.
--Now that I've cleared up that let's get to the point. Like I said I love my wife, expect around Christmas time when they put the lights on stuff and when it is yard sale season. Then something happens to that darn fool women that I just can't figure. It’s like she becomes possessed by another person. One who can be driving along one minute carrying on a conversation, and the next minute slamming on the brakes and backing up because she saw or thought she saw a yard sale.
--Which doesn't sounds so bad until you try riding with the fool. I mean sometimes my in sides are still bouncing around 5-10 min after we've stopped. Not to mention the rapid take of, if it should turn out it wasn't a yard sale, or if it was and she didn't see anything worth stopping for. And then it's off in search of another one.
--Christmas time it's just the opposite, it's not the stopping it's the wondering all over the darn road. It's not so bad if there on the passenger side then all have to worry about is a snow bank or to. But God forbid their on the drivers side, cause then I have to remind to stay on her side of the road.
--But that being said I love to see the light in her eye's when she sees the Christmas light's. Especially when the kids are in the car. Or when she's on the trail of a real good sale. There's nothing like it. It's just one of the many reason's I love my wife....

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS LITTLE SEASONAL DELIGHTS....

--One of the things I look forward to every year are those little twinkling lights. For some reason there the perfect band aid for the mental fires. And provide that added recharge to make through a few more months of weird weather whack a doodle ness.
--Of course keeping my wife on track is a wee bit of fun to. But after all these years we've more or less got that covered with a few choice comments here and there.
--When the children were younger we'd drag them along for our little light watching runs out and about. But now not so much. They more or less leave it to us to carry on the tradition.
--Oh once in awhile we trap one of the little darlings and drag them along, and they shake there heads and nod just to silence the old folks. But you cant help but notice the twinkle in their eyes from the sparkly little delights........

JELLYBEANS OR GUMDROPS....

--Everyone has a favorite sweet that just sets their feet to swinging. Myself I’ve always be cursed to with jellybeans or gumdrops.
--Of course like anything to much of a good thing is bound to come back and bite you. But when it comes to jellybeans or gumdrops it's kind of hard to keep in mind.
--My wife knowing my weakness with usually toss the old man a couple of bags around the holidays. Then it's another battle to try and savor the dang fool things and not gobble them up till the bags are dry.
--Some years I do pretty good, and some years well lets just say if they make it till sundown its because one or two failed to catch my eye....