December 2008

[Honeylioness]

02 December

Question of the Week: (QOTW) What do you do to make the holidays meaningful and not just be a retailers dream?

Challenge of the Week: (COTW) To make a plan to start 2009 on a clean slate. What will this entail for you? (Thanks Sharing and Gldn)

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QOTW: Well, this may be redundant in light of my earlier post - but I find, especially as I get older, that I am less and less influenced by ads telling me what the "perfect" gift is for anyone. I keep my eyes open all year and when I see something that I think "Wow, Dad would really like this" - I pick it up for that person and place it in a large box in my guest room closet until Christmas. And even then - it is rare, rare, rare, that I pay retail for anything anymore. Case in point. This year Dad is getting the large WWII book that Ken Burns put out to go along with the PBS series. I found it at a house sale, never been read. Retail: $85 - my price: $10 - Feeling smug and cocky about the great deal AND it being only June: Priceless.

As to meaningful, I try to do at least 2-3 different things each year. This year it is a coat drive for kids and adults in shelters or on the streets. A giving tree for a residentail youth program for teenagers who have been kicked in the teeth by either their parents or society. Toys for Tots and my church's annual Habitat for Humanity gingerbread house show and competition.

But I will confess - I LIKE having a gift or two under the tree to open for myself on Christmas morning.


COTW: Okey-dokey - which one of you ladies was spying on me as I opened my storage closet and growled last weekend? I used to be able to move myself with just a u-haul and a pick-up truck. Now I think I would need a full 18 wheeler. I have been feeling owned and overwhelmed by my "stuff". My hardest obstacle though is that I tend to attach emotional meaning to a lot of these things and use that as a reason why I cannot get rid of it. You know, the "Oh, but so-and-so gave that to me 15 years ago and would be upset if I recycled it". Even though part of my logical mind knows that So-and-So most likely has NO memory of that at all!!

My other challenge comes from being influenced from an early age by my grandparents who lived through a REAL Depression. "What if I need this someday? I should hold on to it JUST IN CASE". I am not sure my Grandfather ever threw anything away ... "just in case". Any ideas on how to get past this hurdle would be much appreciated.

I also need to get serious about quitting smoking as each month I cringe at the money spent and think of so many other things I could have done with that wasted cash.

[Honeylioness]

03 December

CoffeeGirl - I am in total agreement that this guy has to go. Especially since he does not like your darling doggie. And that reminded me of a story about one of my former furbabies I thought you would appreciate.

I had this lovely Russian Blue cat named Nicholai. Whenever a man would come over to pick me up or drop me off, Nicholai would sit on a small ledge near the front door and give the guy an appraising look. The feline version of the Hairy Eyeball. I soon learned that if the cat was calm and did nothing, the guy was okay to date - but rather bland. A couple of times Nich would growl or hiss at the man and without fail they turned out to be jerks. And then there was Bob ........

Bob professed to like cats and did his best to befriend Nicholai. Nich even let himself be held once but I swear he gave me a look that clearly said "You MUST be kidding?...THIS guy???" One night I was in the kitchen doing something and Bob was sitting on the floor of the living room with his back against the front of the sofa. His legs were splayed a bit and I guess he thought it would be "fun" to move his foot towards the cat whenever he came close as if he would kick him. I saw him do it once and told him to knock it off. Then went back into the kitchen.

Suddenly an other wordly yeowling was heard.....then a scream. Running into the room it took me only a moment to ascertain the source of the sounds. Bob was clutching his groin and lay on the floor in a fetal position and Nicholai was sitting on the coffee table calmly washing his paw. Seems the cat had had enough of Bob's little "game" and had launched himself directly into the "tender reproductive areas" ... all claws extended. Then rocketed off the target as his victim collapsed.

You know, it is hard to repair a relationship once your cat has drawn blood from a man's nether regions and you have to lean against the doorway for support because you are laughing so hard you cannot even breathe. Yep. Nicholai drew blood. Perhaps if Bob had been wearing denim the damage would not have been so bad. I always wondered though. Did it scar and just how do you explain that to the next girl??

The moral of this story is: Your furbaby(s) will always be a better judge of character than you.


11 December 2008

Hello everyone - just a quick note before I head to bed.
I will try to respond to the posts I made notes on sometime tomorrow, but did want to say Thank You to my Secret Santa.
I got home tonight to find two boxes on my doorstep from my Secret Santa. A set of homemade Christmas cards with very cute graphics, some new towels I will try out this weekend that will hopefully corral some of the kitty fur... and a picture frame for a picture of Hawk.

And speaking of Hawk, he called tonight and I knew as soon as I heard his voice he had been "tagged" again. As much as he tried to downplay it - I know it is worse than he would openly admit. He is waiting for a transport helo to airlift him out - and what he knows as of right now is that he could be back Stateside in 2-3 weeks for medical treatment and to recover. Fingers crossed.

I am taking a half day tomorrow to just do stuff for ME and do some baking. Hope everyone has a great Friday.

[Honeylioness]

19 December 2008

WARNING ..... MAJOR RANT AHEAD

I had a Condo Board meeting tonight and got home just a little while ago. I am so upset I do not know what to do with myself !!!!!

I can't decide if I want to cry, scream or open a bottle.

One of the other Trustees just got me SO upset. I will not bore you all with the details. But I went over the edge when he looked at me and said "Then what the F**K is your problem?"

He then used the F bomb several more times and I said "I think we should call it a night as this is not getting us anywhere. And X, if you EVER talk to me that way again ..."

At which point he SCREAMED at me "Get the F out of my house!"

So I left. My first instinct is to write an e-mail and resign from this nightmare. I just wanted to put my fist through his face. I do not know if I can do this anymore. But on the other hand I do not trust the other two bozos to not just run the entire project and association into the ground.

[Honeylioness]

28 December 2008

Hello everyone - I know I have been MIA for a bit but have been trying to work some things out. I have read the posts but have no idea where my notes went - bad, bad kitty that I am.

To those traveling I hope you all arrive home safe and sound.

I can feel startsmart's angst. I spent the holiday alone as well. First time in years. I had thought I would be with my cousins who I learned do an annual open house - but wouldn't you know, they did not do it this year. So it was a bit melancholy but I survived.

To my Secret Santa - I think it may be startsmart - still have no idea. I did get a third box with a relaxing aroma oil candle. It is nice and relaxing. Thank you.

Sharing - your post did make me smile. Picturing you sitting in front of a row of jars with a spoon like Pooh Bear. When you get your third box there is a card identifying me. Though I figured the homemade jams would "out" me. I am glad you like what I sent. I am still a bit insecure about sending such things. Possibly because I gave a jar to someone a few years ago who actually made a face. And I heard through the grapevine they thought it was dorky that I had not given them a "real" gift.

To those who have asked about Redhawk. I wish I could give you an upbeat and positive update. As of yesterday - he is still behind enemy lines. They have not been able to get him any transport out of where ever he is. I have my ideas - but he would not even tell me exactly what country he is in. That made me very nervous. He always has told me in the past.

Some doctor did get to him to check him over and he is on an antibiotic IV drip even after 10 days. But he has a partially ruptured eardrum. Which definitely needs to be seen to at a REAL medical facility. So no idea when he will be able to be airlifted out of danger.

I am trying to stay calm and not panic. But I really really HATE this entire situation. I try to be non confrontational when I am able to talk to him, but he knows. Then I feel bad for "dumping" on him. Maybe it is the holidays or spending too much time alone - but I am not sure how long I can hold on to this relationship. It is hard to feel like you are the only one willing to work on it and hold on. It's hard to remain in love with someone you never see.

I am at work part of this week and I know it will be really quiet. So I am hoping I can get all my filing caught up and new files made without interruptions.

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Ravin01 - Message #1547 - 12/28/08 10:06 PM

Honeylioness - Glad that you popped in. I am sending my good juju Redhawks way, where ever he is, so that you will get some good news back soon. Once he is back in the states a good heart to heat is in order.

I will fess up that I am your SS! I sent out one last package with a note, but I didn't get it shipped until like the 23rd, but it should be arriving soon!

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Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - Message #1476 -12/26/08 01:24 PM

Merry Boxing Day, Ladies! Doing a stealth drop-in here on the thread. Less than three days to go of cat/dog/fin/feathers/ house-sitting. I've missed you all terribly. I'll be back on our thread with a VENGEANCE come Monday morning!

beej, Aw! You didn't have to get me anything! I feel so spoiled by you all. My Secret Santa, just gotta be honeylioness sent four fabulous jars of preserves, syrups, jams, jellies. I thought of arranging them all in front of me with a giant wooden spoon, sort of like Pooh Bear! Oh feeding my sweet tooth is bliss, bliss.

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Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - Message #1549 - 12/28/08 10:38 PM

honeylioness, Not signing off without a hug, a note of gratitude for your beautiful gifts- I am the jam queen- and thoughts now of you and Red Hawk as I fall asleep. How I wish the magic wand that must surely be out there if I look hard enough, could be waved to ease your burden. Power is flickering again- I think Hydro One is bringing on communities through the night as we've experienced this "dirty power" repeatedly- so I'll post this before it is lost again for some time.

SES_Books - Message #1551 - 12/28/08 11:11 PM

Honeylioness anyone who thinks a gift crafted or prepared with love and care is not a "real" gift to my way of thinking is not a real friend. I too thought I was alone on Christmas, until I logged onto this thread. I wasn't motivated enough to paint like SS.

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Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - Message #1606 -12/29/08 06:42 PM

Honeylioness, An afternoon of bliss spooning up the mixed berry jam with my buttered bread stick, with a chaser of the World's Best Applesauce was just a prelude to the package I picked up from the Post Office.

How gorgeous, the card carrier quilt. Just my colors! I've seen those marvellous quilts in the magazines. I'm sure I am the proud owner of the very nicest one of all. Right now, the card quilt is draped over my sofa back (it is green, I love green) and I am revelling in every stitch and clever corner of it.

The irises, the Van Gogh note cards in those iris and sunflower colors, just beyond splendid. I adore rich, vibrant, caution-to-the-wind colors, so you can guess how enthralled I am with every gift. You have outdone yourself and this day could possibly be dedicated to... honeylioness. As in...

December 29th shall be Honeylioness Day to be celebrated by creating, sharing, designing, writing, cooking- ladies, the cookies! The fudge! This woman does it all!- planning, cutting, sewing, carving, baking women all over North America. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - Message #1608 - 12/29/08 08:39 PM

Honeylioness, the card quilt has moved mysteriously off the sofa back and has kept Nugget, Nermal and ole Sharing nice and toasty as we watch CNBC tonight.

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Sharing the Simple Lifestyle - Message #1634 - 12/30/08 09:27 AM

Honeylioness, started off the day with a honeylioness gingersnap cookie. Working my way to a mid-morning tea with a chunk of that chocolate fudge. Kitties are intrigued by the pockets in the card quilt. Should I look for a suspicious bump with a little tail?

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