Snow

We lived dangerously this weekend. We chanced going to the mountains without chains. It's frustrating that Saturns are not made for chains. Or is it that chains are not made for Saturns? Anyway Saturn has it's own idea snow travel... spider spikes. Problem is, there was not a spider spike to be found in the entire bay area. We had promised Little J a trip to the snow so we had to come up with a solution. We drove to Placerville which just happens to be where the snow began and had son pick us up to drive into the snow country. I gambled figuring I'd just fork over money for chains for his car if we really had to. We got lucky. We made it to Sly Park on plowed roads. Son got the dirty car and a free lunch. Little J got his first opportunity ever to play in the snow. Grandma just had to buy lunch. Grandpa got to gamble. Everyone is happy.

Just a Little Christmas

It might just be possible that my niece has more Christmas decorations than Big Bro has corkscrews. 23 trees worth and more. Everywhere. Inside and Outside. Even in the bathrooms. But that's not all. Check it out here. We were all in awe. Little J's comments sums it up well, "This is the best party ever."

Santa was there too. Little J checked the list. Twice. Nope, his name is not on it. Yet. He seems to be a bit concerned. Last night he asked if he could go to bed extra early. This just might work in my favor.

The Winning Ticket

Little I seems to have found the winning ticket.

Santa Claus or Father Christmas?

Little J is covering all bases this year. In English tradition he wrote out his wish list and placed it in the fireplace so Father Christmas can read the smoke. Just in case that didn't work, he went for the traditional mailing to the North Pole.

Xmas Deflation

The holiday economy in this household is under drastic reconstruction...

Fortunately Little J is amused by the little things in life, and since he has never been to the snow (shame on me), he was in awe at the local weekend snow park...

Future Presidents

Hubby was overjoyed at finding these posters today. For years he has insisted he would fly a flag if there's ever another Democrat President so I guess we'll be out shopping soon. Meanwhile, Little J thinks he might be a good fit in that big white house. He's pondering whether he should run in another 30 years or so...

Where is MZ?

MZ refuses to cook...

but she thought she might try modeling for one of those "calendars"...

But the locals caught her in the act and quickly covered her assets...

and threw her in the clink...

Will she ever return?????

Seeing More Red

Oh geeze... I'm gonna have to get out my knitting needles again... Look at this

Ghosts

While in Savannah I had the opportunity to take one of the many famous ghost tours. Supposedly Savannah is the most haunted place and our tour guide told us to just keep taking pictures into the dark, don't delete anything, and once you load them on your computer you will see them. Voila... here is my photo taken straight into the dark of night graveyard... see those fuzzy "orbs". Our tour guide insists those are the ghosts. Wanting to investigate a bit further, I asked the only expert I know who happens to live in our house and claims there is a ghost in residence under his bed. Little J says, "no way, gramma... those are NOT ghosts."

Westminster

A while back I started attending a church in Oakland; the main purpose at that time was to find a place where Little J would feel comfortable. This is a place that celebrates in it's diversity so the fit seemed perfect. An added bonus is that I really like the preacher.

Recently I made the decision to join the church. Right about the same time, the preacher announced that he would be leaving to go to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, MI. It is a good opportunity for him and I do wish him well but admit I feel a great deal of personal sadness.

But, I just couldn't stop thinking about how there must be some kind of connection here. So, I looked through my old photos and here it is. Me, age 3, July 6th, 1952 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, MI.

(BTW...The guy kind of half into the photo on the right... that's big Bro)