Santa's New Sleigh

As those of us who didn't know before has most likely learned this year, the only thing certain is change.

Go, Santa!

Don't Sign Up!

I try to do my bit for community events, I really do. I like to help, but sometimes I have to wonder if anyone really wants it.

Make treats for last year's New Year's party? 

Sure! I'll do that.

But does anyone want to EAT them?

That's alright...you can be honest. If you had the two offerings below to choose from, which one would you pick? (Notice that the box on the left as NO missing cupcakes...not one!)

And check out this nearly empty holiday goodie tray.

But I have another question for you.

If you spent SO MUCH TIME making such attractive treats, would you really want to watch people destroy them with their teeth?

The less effort to accomplish the same amount of sweetness, the greater enjoyment in Shirley's world!

Are you a gorgeous treat-maker?

Or are you also a graduate of the Dr. Seuss school of cupcakes?

Cat In A Coat

I don't know about where you live, but baby, it's cold outside. We had snow this morning. Just a little, but if it lands on the car and ground and stays there, you know it's cold enough for a blanket at night.

It's true that animals have fur to keep them warm. According to my understanding, as long as animals are kept outside, they can acclimatize to any weather, as long as they have shelter from the wind. (I do wonder about short-haired animals. I just don't know.)

Our cat Sage loves to crawl into plastic bags...I know, you might wonder about her mental state, and you'd be right...but this time she crawled into Bob's coat. (Do you see her tail?)

All she wants for Christmas is to sleep inside, but she's too spastic for that. She's got a perfectly comfortable padded box on top of the fireplace insert on the porch. There's even residual fireplace heat, and treats...always treats in her comfy quarters when we take her outside for the night.

Maybe she wants a coat now, too...

Do you like the cold? (You can always put more on, but can only take so much off without being arrested!) Or do you prefer hot weather? (It's never too hot for a hottie like you!)

Beyond a Bed of Roses

I've heard of a bed of roses, but the people in this household thought outside the flower box.

 Why stop at roses? Why not a bed of a bunch of different colored flowers in various varieties? It makes a unique yard decoration and generates smiles.

Do you like roses? 

Boring Clothes

Once upon a time, I substitute taught at an elementary school for a week. It wasn't until Thursday, when I wore a t-shirt and jeans to work, that anyone commented on my clothes.

A young boy stopped in front of me, looked up with earnest eyes, and asked, "Where's your costume?"

Puzzled, I replied, "What costume?"

Sighing at my lack of comprehension, he explained, "Every other day you wore a costume, but today you're not." He gave a decisive nod. "I like your costumes."

That was when I realized that my definition of "everyday clothes," worn Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, had been interpreted by this young lad as "costumes."

On Friday, I made sure to wear one of my own interpretation of everyday clothes. He was satisfied.

One other time a young woman approached me with, "I used to mix you and your sister up." 

(My sister Rebecca lived in the same town I did at the time. Can YOU tell who is who?)

The young woman continued, "But now I can tell you apart because you always wear colorful clothes and your sister wears regular clothes."

About five minutes later, Rebecca showed up, and we laughed at my sparkly shirt and swirly skirt that I'd sewn fake coins onto after market, while she wore a white collared shirt and khaki trousers.

"Boring" is a matter of interpretation. Someone who likes traditional clothes would be very uncomfortable showing up with sparkles on their chest and socks that glow in the dark. There's no right or wrong, there's just you!

Are you a costume clothes kind of person? Or are you more comfortable in traditional clothing?

(Did you guess the correct sister? In the picture, Rebecca is wearing the largest earrings (pink.) Mine are sparkly little dolphins to match the rhinestones on my shirt!)

Ornery Eggs

I'm currently taking a break from eating eggs, the evil tricksters, acting as if they are innocently sitting in their individual little holders, comfortable as can be, until you try to TAKE ONE OUT!

Then they rebel in the messiest way possible, clinging to the carton as if their little lives depended on it, the top part of the shell crumbling in the hopeful eater's fingers. 

Those stubborn eggs fight back even though they are no longer viable after being refrigerated for so long.

Why? Are they haunted by the chicks-that-could-have-been?

Do you like eggs? What's your favorite way to eat them?

Shark Feet

When Carolyn and I were in the store, we saw some slippers that we couldn't believe.

Then Carolyn got too close...

...and the slippers caught up to her!

Ahhhhh!

Shark bites!

It looks like they're smiling. What could it hurt to go closer?

Would you enjoy sticking your feet into these mouths? 

Or do you prefer a more subtle kind of footwear?