I'm not gonna gain 10 pounds eating christmas yummies

No.. I'm gonna gain the poundage thanks to Pepsi and the release of throwback Mt. Dew. Will I be chasing the Pepsi trucks again? Who knows. I usually don't have soda in the fridge. However, when the throwback is available... well, let's just say I'll be putting out the recycle bin this week.
I'll be ALL JACKED UP ON MT. DEW!

Greyhound Rescue flash project for a class at USF

https://my.usf.edu/bbcswebdav/users/sperfect/IGA5-Perfect.swf

Not sure how long this link will work. This is a very juvenile attempt at using flash to create a video. I resisted the entire time but learned enough of the basics to pass this section of the class.

Just focus on the topic...not the format!!

What to do when home alone on christmas eve....

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/xxsKSFnxdhMFnOwE


http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/zJm9p7iPdLtz9UdKBiRo

Ski Nut and Reindeer Wino

Gam, Grandad, and I used to make these little ski nut ornaments each year. If anyone feels the urge to shell walnuts, pick out the meat, and then glue the halves back together... I'll take those meat-less, hollow shells :) That was always grandad's job and then Gam and I would assemble the ski-nut. Another key ingredient is the acorn... it must have the perfect hat or it just won't do.
So.... this year.... I was asked to start saving wine bottle corks for GREAT. I wasn't sure what they were making but OH MY when I saw these I was floored!
How cute is this little guy?? So, along with the hollow walnuts, I'll take your wine and champagne corks. I'll even pay the postage to ship them to me.

Just start throwing them in a drawer along with a note that says 'send corks and walnuts to shelley' and let me know when you have a box full.... :)

One of my new favorite things... Starbucks Holiday Tea

Ok, this is some of the best tea ever. A little more expensive than my Publix bagless, tagless 99 cents for 100 tea bags... but...dang... it is good. Reminds me of my throw back pepsi days... is this something that I will no longer be able to find after 12/26??? Am I going to have to stop at every starbucks while out shopping on 12/26? Is a second mortgage in order? Is it possible to add this to my amazon.com wish-list???
Another bonus... the tin is adorable and VERY alter-able. Recycle, re-use. Oh yeah, I made tea two more times with the bags in the cup purchased today at Starbucks. Did that make sense? Let me splain. Some dude offered to buy me a coffee today and I said I'd really love some hot tea to which Liz suggested he purchase a cup of Holiday Tea. After I finished that cup I asked the starbucks lady 'may I have more hot water' and she filled the cup. I let it steep a while and then... a few hours later when I finally got home... I boiled some water and made another cup of tea.
This girl can ramble on about nothing can't she.

Feliz Navidog

I made a just a few cards this year. For everyone else I offer this e-version. Lame, I know. I promise to do better next year.
Feliz Navidog everyone!

Happy holiday wishes to everyone

This year I put up the tree and went through the box of holiday stuff and found items long forgotten.

This photo was taken just a few days before Zoe left us. Daisy and Zoe were sleeping on the back of the sofa. That alone was incredible. I plopped Elsie down and she actually sat there long enough for me to shoot this picture.

In memory of Abbey and Zoe.

Favorite Places Sign Dayton, Skipper's, Sugar Shack, Tupelo, Maui, Englewood Beach, and of course Lyle

Here is a very late posted picture of my birthday gift from Joni. I finally got this hung outside the porch. Don't ya LOVE IT!

http://www.journeymarkers.com/

Imitation Elsie at the Penney's

Here she is with the skiing snowman outside the front door.

This is at the cat walk-up window. That's Ollie in the background acting like he doesn't know I'm taking this picture.

Memphis the musical on Broadway - GO SEE IT!

Chad Kimball and Montego Glover . . . what a performance . . . All of the cast moved the place - some to tears.

This show is high on my list of 'go see it now' performances! I don't think you will be disappointed. I would have watched it again last night.

http://www.memphisthemusical.com/

Totally ripped from the Memphis website:

TURN UP THAT DIAL! From the underground dance clubs of 1950s Memphis, Tennessee, by way of hit runs at the La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre, comes a hot new Broadway musical - inspired by actual events - with heart, soul and energy to burn. He's a young, white radio DJ named Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball), whose love of music transcends race lines and airwaves. She's a black singer named Felicia Farrell (Montego Glover), whose career is on the rise, but who can't break out of segregated clubs. When the two collaborate, her soulful music reaches radio audiences everywhere, and the Golden Era of early rock 'n' roll takes flight. But as things start to heat up, whether the world is really ready for their music - or their love - is put to the test.
A thrilling theatrical event that combines Broadway splendor with the roots of rock, MEMPHIS features an original story by Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change) and a brand-new score with music by Bon Jovi founding member David Bryan. Directing is Tony® nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) and choreography is by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys). The cast also features Derrick Baskin, J. Bernard Calloway, James Monroe Iglehart, Tony nominee Michael McGrath and Cass Morgan.
Get ready to experience all the exuberance and the emotion...the beauty and the controversy...of a wondrous, defining time in our history.You're tuning in to MEMPHIS.

AND IF YOU GO.... Stop across the street.... go upstairs to the cocktail lounge...

http://www.sardis.com/htmldocs/cms/

A New York landmark that I just discovered by accident last night. Gotta start somewhere, right?

Bye Bye Birdie

John Stamos, Gina Gershon, Bill Irwin
http://www.byebyebirdieonbroadway.com/cast (link to cast and bios)
The show was cheesy and I loved it. The costumes, the singing, the performers. My favorite is the father (Bill Irwin). He was so funny.

Nolan Gerard Funk played Conrad Birdie.
BTW, I did NOT shoot the pics. I totally borrowed them from google. No pics. No food. No drinks. I wish they had said No Coats. No Kids. No smelly people. Ooops, that was bad.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.

- Dr. Seuss

Islands of Adventure, Orlando, FL

I don't believe it reached 65 degrees today. Perfect day for an amusement park. No lines, no wait, very few kids. We went through both parks (Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios) and rode almost every ride before 5pm.

Scrapbook Trends - Cards - Northridge Media publications - I want my refund!

Back on 10/14 my checking account was drafted 84.95 for a magazine I did not order. I have emailed Northridge Media four times requesting a refund. The phone number provided does not work. It is the same phone number printed on the inside cover of their rag and also on the website. Nice, huh. Invalid email. Fast-Busy phone number.

What does one have to do to get funds returned that were not authorized to be taken in the first place? Not looking for an answer... just venting.

Paul Thorn Band Canal Street Tavern 12/5/09

Another great show by the Paul Thorn Band at Canal Street Tavern in Dayton, Ohio. Many, many thanks to Ellen and Ben for making the evening extend into the wee hours and also to PT and JP for making the evening special and a night to remember.

Imitation Elsie visits the USAF Museum, Dayton, Ohio

Imitation Elsie chows with The Big Boy

Elsie is really diggin' her quick trip to the Gem City. In addition to Frisch's she also stopped at Esther Price, Cassano's, and Marion's Pizza. Next time: UDF, The Pine Club, and Cassano's again. Always the Cassano's. If it is warm enough she'll take a trip to Flub's and Jungle Jim's.

Liz and Shelley visit PNS

Liz and I travelled to Ohio over the weekend and one of our stops was Perfect North Slopes. They were busy making snow and won't officially open for a few more days but we still got to play in it a little.

Imitation Elsie sees snow for the first time!!!

I'm freezing! Get me OUTTA HERE!

Makin' Snow... Perfect North Slopes Lawrenceburg, Indiana

RIP Zoe, we will miss you....

...sleeping in the car and jumping over the seat when I move the wagon out of the garage...

...leaving little presents on the back porch....

....playing with Elsie....

.....just being the adorable kitten that you were...

Deepest gratitude to Tena. Thank you for being there when I need you.