It's been a while, I know

Hey there.. Long time no see.. Things were very busy the last few weeks, what with the holidays and everything. But, now, that's all over, and we're back to January, patiently waiting for spring. I just have to tell you the freakiest thing that happened today.

I decided to go to Wal-Mart after work, so I took a right out of work, instead of my usual left. I was faced with a very, very, very long line of traffic, so I turned around, and decided I could get my catfood at the Rite Aid store much easier. So, I headed for home, and the store. I picked up some cat food, and as I was going past the photo counter, a young man said "Hey, can you come over here for a minute?" I looked confused. "I know, it's a wierd thing to ask, but can you come behind the counter and look at this for a minute? I think this is you in the picture." Well, sure enough, I went behind the counter, and there, on the screen, is a picture of me, taken by one of his friends. I look totally different, but it's definitely me, in front of a huge building. wow. Then I noticed someone else I knew in the pictures, and it all clicked together. This was before 2001, the kid couldn't pin it down any further, but a friend of mine and I took our sons on a field trip with the class, to the island of the Statue of Liberty in New York. The building I was standing in front of, was the big immigration musuem. What a flippin' small world. If I had continued to Wal-Mart, I never would have gone into Rite-Aid. The kid said "That's amazing timing." So true, so true! Just incredible..

Until tomorrow.

Calix has arrived!

Well, Calix is safe and sound in his new home. I got him last night, and miracles of miracles, he's still alive this morning! I'm so afraid I'm going to kill him. I've held him a couple of times, and he's really cool. He even stopped wiggling this a.m., and just sat in my hand. Very very exciting. I'm going to feed him in a couple of minutes. That ought to be interesting. My snake friend at work has set me up with enough food to feed him for a year, all for about $15. Wish I could say the same for me!!
No, I haven't finished shopping for Christmas, but I have a few days off soon, and will get it done then..
Need to put up some decorations this weekend, too.. Oh, what fun.

Enjoy and happy holidays.. and by all means, Merry Christmas!!!!

Snow, snow and sleet

My new snake

Hi, and a belated Happy Thanksgiving to you.. I hope you all had a great time with family and friends, and ate lots of turkey!

You are looking at my future pet. I plan to get him in a couple of weeks from a guy here at work, one of our editors, who actually raises snakes in his basement. He has about 200 snakes right now, including this little dude. He is a male, so I am accepting suggestions for names.. Has to be something really exotic, don't you think? Anyway, he's an Albino Honduran Milk Snake, and Rob, the guy at work, says that he'll grow to about 5 feet. I can't wait! I have been talking to Rob a lot lately, about his snakes, and he had some in a couple of weeks ago, that he was mailing to other breeders. They were all babies, and so cute. One was this milk snake. I also thought a Pine Snake would be kinda cool, which I may get later, but he didn't have any of those available. And, he told me NOT to buy any snake at a pet store.(Just like dogs or cats, you are not guaranteed of their breeding or personality.) These milk snakes are not poisonous, though he does look it, doesn't he? And, from what I'm told, they are relatively tame, and easy to handle. So, I'm looking forward to this new addition to my family..
Throughout the years, I've had just about every pet in the book: rabbits, rats, hamsters, gerbils, cats and dogs of course, fish, ferret (never again), but never a snake... Who knows? I've always been curious. I will keep you all updated, of course, on my progress. And yes, I have to feed him baby mice.. I'll have to pretend that doesn't bother me. Maybe I'll get used to it.. You can get a "6-pack" of frozen baby mice from your local Petco Store.
Have you all got your Christmas shopping done?? I have 2 presents. So, wish me luck, and I to you..

Not Meant to Bee

I don't remember if I mentioned this earlier, but I was part of a 3-person spelling bee team, and we competed Wednesday. We got a free dinner, which was sooo good. stuffed shells, awesome bread, and a scrumptious salad with raisins in it. There were also meatballs and a pasta, broccoli chicken dish that was pretty tasty.. Anyway. It was a great start to the night. (Oh, and they had cake for dessert.) There were 5 rounds. We were in Round 3. Each round had about 4 or 5 teams. We got 60 seconds to work on the word, then write it on a wipe board, and place it face down on the table. First couple of words, we were all good with. The next word was rappelled. All 5 teams heard repelled. Yep. All five teams got it wrong. Yes, they gave you the definition, and yes he said it again, and used it in a sentence. Let me tell ya. I never heard any of that. We're being taped for Framingham TV, there's a whole room full of people. Lights were on us, there were microphones, and everything. Very nerve-wracking to say the least.
Anyway, we all got a pass on that one because we all got it wrong. The next word was assiduously. 2 s's. Not 1. 4 of the 5 teams had 1 S. Team 5, had 2 S's. We were disqualifed 45 minutes after the thing started. The good news is that we didn't go down in flames alone. We didn't embarass ourselves too much at all. And THAT is a good night. If we had been the only team to get it wrong, that wouldn't have been good AT ALL... I'd do it again.. It was really fun. Just wish I could spell.

Go outside!

Yes, that's it.. Go OUTSIDE!!! It's a beautiful day, and probably the last for some time to come... It is November after all!!

Do you believe that Thanksgiving is next week? Unbelievable. The older I get, the shorter life becomes. I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!! I'll be working in the afternoon, but will probably visit my boyfriend and brother, at some point during the day. My boyfriend, Darren, suggested it was too much running around. Heck, running around on Thanksgiving is in my blood. Driven hither and yon during my youth, and as a married couple. I'm just glad I don't have to fly anywhere. THAT would be bad. I actually like to drive, so that's not a problem. Hopefully, there won't be 300,000 other people out there with me!! ha ha..

I'm alive

Hi, world. I know it's been a while since I've been on my blog.. I haven't felt well, plus lots of social obligations..
but.. I'm back...

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving.. I get to work. A newspaper is 24/7, and someone has to type in the obits for Friday's paper. We all take turns here.. The good news is that I don't have to work Christmas. Which is reallly, good. l.o.l. I hope you all have a very nice Thanksgiving. Lots of turkey, gravy, stuffing, creamed onions, and more. When it's all said and done, drop me a line here and share with me how your day was!

Yesterday, I took my grandson, Dylan, and my boyfriend, Darren, to the barn near where I live to feed carrots to the horses. Which we did in fine fashion. Dylan wanted to feed this little, tiny pony, Rascal, I think his name was. So, I had to play decoy with the big horses, (And I'm talking 17 hands here). it was a lot of fun, and everyone had a good time! We also got to help Martha (barn manager) bring in the horses for the night. Dylan had to help, of course, so he had the end of the lead rope, while I took the head. Martha also has sheep and 2 gray bunnies.. It's better than going to the zoo, sometimes!!!! Lots of questions by my little one, which I hope we all answered properly. The best part was when I had 2 horses to lead. I kinda threw the lead rope of one in the general direction of Darren, who was surprised to be leading a horse! He'd only been an observer up till now. He did quite well. I told him, all you have to do is act like you're the boss, and you're all set... I'm very proud of him. Next time, he gets more than 1!!!

Happy trails to all..