...and Mason was his name-O

Let any doubt you once had regarding the playing of B-I-N-G-O and those who master it be laid to rest, for this picture says it all. That's right, folks...this is Mason, with six - I'll say it again, SIX cards he is working at once. This after-dinner family tradition has been taken to the next level.

Now if we could just do something about those prizes...

Merry Christmas

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Christmas Trivia

Our office Christmas party was today at lunch time. We had ate a lot of great food, played Christmas Bingo, exchanged gifts and, of course...trivia! Can you answer any of the following questions?

1. What song contains the phrase "Oh by gosh by golly?"
2. Arguably, what is the horse's name in "Jingle Bells?"
3. In Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, what dressing does Tiny Tim sing about: turkey or razzleberry?
4. Does Santa have freckles?
5. What does the nutcracker become after killing the Mouse King?
6. In what state does most of White Christmas take place: Vermont or New York?
7. In Frosty the Snowman, what mode of transportation do Frosty and Karen use: sleigh or train?
8. In Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, what was the name of the narrator/snowman?
9. What movie's main characters were Fred Gayley, Doris Walker, and Kris Kringle?
10. What real-estate tycoon appeared as himself in Home Alone 2?
11. In It's A Wonderful Life, what was Clarence's profession before he died?
12. Who is the ruler of the Kingdom of Sweets?
13. Who was President during Christmas 1974?
14. In It's A Wonderful Life, what did George and his friends use as sleds: shovels or crates?
15. What two department stores are featured in Miracle on 34th Street?

The answers:
1. Mistletoe and Holly
2. Bob (...bells on bob-tail ring, making spirit's bright...)
3. Razzleberry Dressing
4. No
5. A Handsome Prince
6. Vermont
7. A train
8. Sam
9. Miracle on 34th Street
10. Donald Trump
11. A clock maker
12. Sugar Plum Fairies
13. Gerald Ford
14. Shovels
15. Macy's and Gimbals

Directionally Challenged

AS much as I have tried to avoid using the term "directionally challenged," it now seems to be inevitable when describing myself. With all of the one-way streets around my office building, there are days when I circle around said building multiple times before I can get to where I need to be. Last night was a Christmas party at my boss' house in Clinton. Although people offered to take me, I said, "Oh no. I have a map from Linda (the boss). No worries." Did I have trouble finding her house? Of course I did! I drove around Clinton for what seemed to be 30 minutes! Maybe I should ask Santa to bring me a map for Christmas...?

Christmastime at the Office

Personally, I rather enjoy Christmas decorations. I like to decorate for Christmas and play and sing along to Christmas songs. But I never thought one could "over-do" any of this. I was wrong. At my new job, the office has gone from tasteful Christmas, and it is now turning the corner and heading towards "gaudy!" There are fake poinsettias everywhere! Lots of garland and multiple stockings on everyone's desk. MANY snowmen and Santa's covering almost every surface. At first I was surprised to see more decorations appear each day. Now, I am only surprised that someone, somewhere is manufacturing that many different Christmas and winter decorations. And trust me...if it cannot be bought, it has been handmade! I will probably need a map to navigate my way back to my own desk before Christmas Eve!

Stuck at home...

Well, last night's ice storm has left us all stuck at home! The roads are so bad around our house, that my Dad decided we could not even make it to church today. (This gives you an idea of just how bad those roads are.) Luckily, we have not lost any power, so we still have heat, water, food, and of course, I can still scrapbook! Whew! Bruno is making it through this storm okay. He was careful to walk outside, avoiding his typical running out of the door like a maniac moves. (Mom and I were a little disappointed by this, as we were waiting to watch him slide around...hehehehe.) Ah...country living!

Driving Downtown

Thus far, the one thing I absolutely hate about my new job is the drive at the end of the day as I head home. Downtown Bloomington has one of the worst systems I have ever seen! There are so many one way streets that it is just disgusting! The traffic at the end of the day is worse than the traffic I encountered in downtown Chicago! Although there are usually three or four lanes, plus an additional one to two lanes for turning, it is almost impossible to navigate around with the traffic pattern. By the end of the day, I am too tired to be aggressive, so I attempt to plan ahead, and turn into the lane I know I will need in advance. But can one really plan ahead that many miles in advance?!? I think not.

Volunteering

I have been a volunteer for Hospice since the beginning of October. I helped out during a grief camp for children and teens during the first weekend in October. It was nice. Recently, I have completed my training and I have taken on two patients. They are both nice, interesting and enjoyable to be with. Each one is different, but they also each have many things to share, and I am learning a lot!

http://www.nhpco.org/

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

You would have been 78 years old today!

Miss you and love you oh so much!

The Basement

I was taken for a tour of the basement at work today. It was exciting! We keep our older files down there. It seems that the television show "Cold Case" has a fairly typical storage room. There were a lot of boxes, but it didn't seem too overwhelming. ;)

My First Day at my NEW job!

My new job is great! I am a clerk in the data specialist department of the criminal division of the circuit court. My drive to work is just thirty minutes - which is the same time it takes me to drive to Champaign from my house. Everyone at work is very nice, and my favorite things so far are all of the rubber stamps that I get to use. Plus, there is a very cool umbrella stand that the stamps hang from. I could really use one of those at my scrapbooking center! We also have an ice machine! What can I say...I am excited about everything so far!

Ooops!

Ahhh....strawberry pretzel salad...delicious! Or, at least it would have been. While I was taking it out of the refrigerator, it slipped out of my hands and fell onto the floor, upside down. Sorry Sarah! At least the coconut cream pie was safe for Grandpa! Hehehe...

Happy Thanksgiving!

S L O W ...

Whew! There are very little disadvantages to living in the sticks, but one of them is not having access to high speed Internet. We attempted once to establish a high speed connection, but something would not work out correctly with the signal. So we are left with dial-up. Yep...the very slow dial-up. Although it is better than nothing, it has been difficult and challenging at times. Due to the slow speed tonight, I am left looking at the dog. Things are pretty boring around here. Maybe I will give him a bath so that I might find some form of amusement this evening.

My Trip to the Social Security Office

I headed over to the Social Security Office this morning. I needed to get a duplicate card, as I had misplaced mine years ago, and I will need one for my new job. (You can only search the basement for so long before you give up and consider the card long gone!) Anyhow, I had previously made one attempt to go to the Social Security Office, but the wait was well over one hour long, and I was on my lunch break, so I decided to reschedule.

I planned to arrive at 9 am (this is when the office opens up). I did not make it until 9:10am. I was handed a number (#60) and told to be seated. They were on number 50. I only had to wait for thirty minutes. Once I made it to the counter, I was out of there within less than three minutes total! Hoorah!

Now, if you have never been to the Social Security Office, you are really missing out on a show! The typical wait time is at least one hour. There is a policeman who assists in checking you in, and he hands you your number. There are two individuals working the counter. The printer is very loud and squeaky. All of the other employees are behind this mysterious wall, doing who knows what.

Some people are there because they want their benefits. A few foreigners are there to apply for a card, and then some others are there like me, or after people have passed away.

One woman in particular was there for a financial matter. I think she may have been at the incorrect government office, but she did not realize that. For whatever reason, she opted NOT to wear her false teeth. This was highly noticeable once she became argumentative. She was going on and on about Champaign Township. The clerk behind the desk kept telling her that the papers she wanted did not exist. It never “sunk in!” The lady repeated...“ I want my hunnred an’ fify dolla!” “ I want my hunnred an’ fify dolla!” She went on and on. “I want my hunnred an’ fify dolla!” Finally, the clerk announced to the policeman that the interview was over. The policeman then went over and said, “We have done everything for you. Let’s head to the door.” Well, that lady got up in the policeman’s face and told him that HE needed to tell the county that she needed her money back! “I want my hunnred an’ fify dolla!” He took her to the door, and you could still hear her yelling outside! “I want my hunnred an’ fify dolla!” “I want my hunnred an’ fify dolla!” Whew!

I am wondering to myself, do all of the “crazies” show up mid-week, or what?

Weekend with Billy

I spent another glorious weekend with Billy the Beagle. I dropped in on Friday afternoon to say hello, as I knew I would be back later in the evening. He was very excited to see me. We watch the boob tube and then called it a night. Boy was it cold! The thermostat in the house had a low battery, so it was stuck at 62 degrees. Brrr!


Saturday was a fairly uneventful day. The crazy neighbor Bill did not bother us at all. Thank goodness! He is such a anti-canine creep! We were not disturbed by the rain early Sunday morning. Once we woke up, we spent a lot of time outside in the back yard enjoying the nice weather.


On Sunday afternoon, a long-haired gray and white sheep-dog (or at least a dog that looked like it could be a sheep-dag) was outside of the house. That silly old dog had on bright orange rain boots! What a wuss! Billy barked at him. I think the dog knew Billy was making fun of him, because he hung his head and continued his walk. Thank you...move along...only macho dogs here, please!

Cheeeeeese

Do happy cows really come from California?

Who wouldn't be happy basking in the warm

sunlight just off the Pacific coast?!?

http://www.realcaliforniacheese.com/

Gifts

For the past three school days, I have been working with the Kindergarteners and Pre-Schoolers. They are all between the ages of 4 and 6 years old. Aside from giving me a cold after the first day, I have been given other "gifts" as well. Numerous hugs and artwork are at the top of the list. The most emjoyable gifts I have received are what I hear them say. I have had the giggles every day! Here are some of my favorite phrases as the kids have rattled them off out of the blue...

"I love you, Mrs. Mary."
"Can you stay here forever?"
"You are beautiful, Miss. Hedrick!"
"Uh...Ms. Mary, I need help."
"I have diarrhea."
"Uh-oh! My poop went down too far in the toilet."
"Ms. Mary...can you tell her to stop it? She is thinking that she doesn't like me, and I know that is what she is thinking. Tell her to stop!"
"This weekend, my dog Jack was biting and biting at me and he kept pulling my sock off of my foot so I punched him in the face!"
"You're not the boss of me!"
"He's not listening!"
"Ha, I told on you!"
"Will you call my Mom?"

"She said "armpit!"
"I forgot my Show-N-Tell."
"We are MAD! We do not know why we are mad. We are not going to play for another two more minutes. And when we do go play on the playground, we are STILL going to be MAD!"

With four more days left in this classroom, I can only imagine what other tid-bits they will tell me!

Falling back

I have definitely enjoyed the so-called extra hour that has resulted from the time change. An extra hour to sleep in, an extra hour to scrapbook and an extra hour to look for a new job! My new Sunday routine will now include reading through the classifieds until I have successfully found my next phase of employment. Afterall, there are only 19 more working days left for me at First School! Yahoo!

Tah-dah!

Well, here it is...my blog! I have made four previous attempts at beginning (and keeping up with) a blog. Here's to sticking with it! Cheers!