What’s giving me cause for such a BIG SMILE???

THIS:

MANCHESTER, N.H. — A cold weekend will lead to a snowy Monday for much of the state.

Temperatures will drop into the 20s in southern New Hampshire and teens in northern areas on Saturday. Wind chills will make it feel even colder across the state.

On Sunday, a developing storm to the southwest will approach late in the day and probably move in at night. Light snow may develop in southern New Hampshire during the evening, but the heaviest snow may wait until late at night, lasting through much of Monday.

Of course I’m working ALL weekend. And Monday- AND Tuesday! Four 16 hour days…so there better be some SNOW left when I finish this crazy work schedule.

I really would like to SEE this:

Have a great weekend folks and if you’re in NH, pray for snow. LOTS OF IT. Some of us have snowmobiles that are just crankin to be started up and ridden!

Santa needs to lose weight in order to be politically correct.

America’s top doc told the Herald yesterday that Santa Claus should slim down, in the latest blow struck in a global politically correct crusade against the jolly fat man.

“It is really important that the people who kids look up to as role models are in good shape, eating well and getting exercise. It is absolutely critical,” acting U.S. Surgeon General Rear Adm. Steven K. Galson said in an interview after a presentation on obesity at the Boston Children’s Museum.

And I wish these bumbling bureaucratic busybodies would just shut up and focus on the real causes of obesity: Lifestyle habits, a lack of physical activity (often promoted at the schools) and other things…Santa is not the problem. Modern society IS.

Easy. Roller Coasters. All of them- the faster and scarier, the better. When I go to these places, I often ride them 5 or 6 times.

Usually I don’t fit in with stuffy useless gatherings and the like. So I either don’t go or I bail.

1. It’s a waste of time. And so totally boring.

Yes I got it. Having had the real flu once, it was enough to convince me I need the shot. I haven’t had the flu since.

3. I hate TV. The quality of modern programs sucks; there is little original talent and idea. The news is almost always negative. SO I tune it all out. And keep the boob tube OFF 90% of the time.

I remember him. Well. That picture that caught my eye and my heart- the strong young Marine smoking a cigarette after seeing some action. I called him my hero and plastered his picture at AndRightlySo… He was and he still is MY HERO; he’s not doing so great these days. His story is HERE and HERE.

Blog sister Kat offers some inspiration for Blake, and others experiencing a similar fate.

The Warriors Psalm

He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.

Semper Fi Blake Miller

EECK!!

I have a trampoline in my yard; and when my kids were growing up we always had one…they are fun. And offer a good way to jump off vented up steam…but imagine not seeing this:

Presenting this, without comment:

It’s that time of year again.

The cold weather and dry air takes a toll on my hands. The poor little things: They get used a lot all year long, but the winter use is extreme. Not only do they endure the everyday abuse, and the work abuse, they get to go outdoors on cold days and be man-handled on snowmobiles and other winter sports. Today I took my new mountain bike up to the Northwoods for some real mountain riding…and my hands are screaming at me right now! It’s TIME to start my winter hand care routine.
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The Yankee: In acuteness and perseverance, he resembles the Scotch. In frugal
neatness, he resembles the Dutch. But in truth, a Yankee is nothing else on earth
but himself.

Frances Trollope

Apple-Cranberry Pie

1 11 3/4-oz pk piecrust mix
1 12-oz pk fresh or thawed frozen cranberries
½ cup Apple juice or cider
4 Large (2 lb) baking apples, cored, peeled and cut into chunks
2 cups Firmly packed light-brown sugar
3 tablespoons Cornstarch
1 tablespoon Ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cloves
¾ cup Dark seedless raisins

1. Prepare pastry following package directions. Divide pastry into two balls, one slightly larger than the other. Wrap the smaller one with waxed paper. On lightly floured surface, roll out larger ball to 12-inch round. Fit into 9-inch pie plate. Set aside.

2. Heat oven to 425′F. In 2-quart saucepan, heat cranberries and apple juice to boiling over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries have popped but before mixture becomes saucy. Remove from heat.

3. In large bowl, toss apples with sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, cloves, and raisins. Stir in cranberries. Pour into pastry-lined pie plate.

4. Roll out remaining pastry to an 11-inch round. With water, moisten edge of pastry lining pie plate. Place pastry round over filling. Pinch pastry together, fold rim under and crimp edge. Pierce top crust with fork to allow steam to escape. To do the stars,
use a cookie cutter, make star (or any shape you want) shaped toppers and place on top of filling- make sure each shape touches another AND make sure the pieces are arranged to allow venting. No need to press edges down into bottom pastry.

5. Bake pie about 35 to 45 minutes or until filling bubbles and crust is brown.

Go back through your life…go back to your earliest memories, good and/or bad. Most likely, these memories are full of growing up at home, with your parents and siblings. For most of us, our parents were the center of our lives for upwards of 18 years and for many of us, more than that.

Our parents made many sacrifices on our behalf. Our fathers worked endless hours and some traveled to far off places as part of a career; our mothers may have worked but it seems they were always there for us. We derived a huge sense of comfort from our Mom and from that warm and welcome place we called HOME. Maybe you lived in a house and had a back yard with dogs and lawn chairs and a pool. Perhaps you grew up in a city, living in an apartment with few “amenities” as so many like to call those unneeded perks. Either way, home was where most of us wanted and needed to be. Our families were the center of our universe.

Now try to imagine your parents shipping you off to a facility of sorts, a year round boarding school or whatever. The reason for this was made perfectly clear: You were a burden to your parents and their lifestyle. You were not important enough, and respected enough to have the privilege to stay at HOME. You were sent off not to get a good education (although that might be listed as a benefit). The day to day tasks of raising YOU were just too much of an inconvenience for your folks.

Since when did responsibility become a burden you ask?

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