You won't believe this...check it out! I want one!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/?v=vwl98dU0kY8

I finally heard it clearly. The subtle voices coming over my computer speakers that scare the crap out of me while I'm sitting here working away at night are that of EWTN Global Catholic Radio!

How the heck am I picking up a catholic radio station in my computer speakers???

Time to make our resolutions....

Anyone going to make (and not break) a resolution or two this year?

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Santa's getting closer!!

Check out NORAD's Santa Tracker:

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/map/index.php

(thanks Rosie for sending me the link)

Pa. Community Celebrates Festivus

Fri Dec 23, 7:05 PM ET

ERIE, Pa. - The celebration of Festivus is alive and well in northwestern Pennsylvania, nearly a decade after the bizarre "holiday" garnered pop culture notoriety on "Seinfeld."

Residents were preparing to celebrate "the festivus for the rest of us" Friday with a night of airing grievances, feats of strength and, of course, the aluminum Festivus pole.

"It's all in good fun," said Jeff Boam, 36, a math teacher from Millcreek Township and longtime "Seinfeld" fan.

"More than anything else, it's a great excuse to get together with friends and have outrageous fun," said George Klapsinos, 38, a senior technical service specialist for Lord Corp.

Many people learned of Festivus through "Seinfeld," but its roots actually go back several decades, when writer Daniel O'Keefe's father started it. He was looking for something more from the holidays, something that wasn't political or religious.

O'Keefe wrote "The Real Festivus: The True Story Behind America's Favorite Made-Up Holiday" and co-wrote the "Seinfeld" episode.

In the episode, Frank Costanza, played by actor Jerry Stiller, comes up with the idea for a new holiday after struggling in a tug-of-war for a doll at a toy store.
Festivus' "traditions" differ from those of Christmas.

Instead of a tree, Festivus followers celebrate around a metal pole. Boam's Festivus pole is 6 feet tall and rooted in bucket of cement.

"No tinsel, no ornaments. Nothing should go on it. It should be bare," Boam said.

Guests also grab the pole and fume about how others have disappointed them in the past year.

"One year, we had a blizzard on the night of the party," Klapsinos said. "So we grieved about everyone who said they were going to show up but didn't. I mean, we made it, right?"
Finally, the festival features feats of strength.

"This usually means wrestling," said Jack Munch, a real-estate broker. "I've seen parties where it deteriorates into five people wrestling in the snow in the backyard. The whole thing is a blast. You never know what's going to happen on Festivus."
___
Information from: Erie Times-News, http://www.goerie.com

Christmas with our kids!!

When it was all said and done....this is how our house looked!!

Good times baby!

Merry Christmas Evey-Eve!!

It's almost Christmas!!!!!

Wish I had known about Hussey's when I was planning my "wedding" ....

looks like a real classy place!

So Hussey's here got me thinkin' about a place Rich and I love to stop at on our way through Southern Kentucky. It's The Olde Gener'l Store (notice how they spell General....ok, it is Kentucky afterall....)

I really like the order of priority on the sign below...... Bourbon, Whiskey, Candy, Coca-Cola!

HO HO HO!! Don't forget to round up your grab bag stuff for the Annual Grab Bag Festival at Jill's house!!

Come one, Come all - it is gonna be a ball!

What the heck is that???

I'm sitting here at my computer and all of a sudden, over my speakers, I'm picking up a Brittish radio station or TV station. Even though I'm cranking the sound to see what they are saying - I can't get the sound to go louder.

Needless to say, it scared the heck out of me. It's late (12:45am) and I'm sitting here working away on a couple of websites I'm building when all of a sudden I'm hearing voices. Now let's all face it....I might hear voices more than the average person does but this time they aren't in my head!

Scared the baheepers outta me!

The Wrappin' Man and His Wrappin' Creations

Rich's Wrapping Station

Over the last 2 days, I finished our Christams shopping while Richie was at home resting his back, sitting on the couch, wrapping what I bought. He loves to wrap presents but he sure knows how to create a MESS!!! Check out what I'm lovingly calling :

Rich's Crapping ( I mean) Wrapping Station:

As much as I love dachshund's - and as much as I really, really want one, I'm afraid my allergies will just drive me crazy. So I've been researching hypoallergenic dogs. Do they make em? Yep - they sure do! Labradoodles!!! They are a mix of labrador (one of the best dogs on the planet earth) and a poodle (ok not my favorite dog of all time).

What I'm reading is these dogs are bred specifically to eliminate the allergy factor!!! Now before you say - a lab and a poodle??????? ....check out how stinkin' cute these babies are!!!!!

The pictures below are from the breeder Yesteryearacres in Ohio (I think)
Check out this breeder's website: http://www.yesteryearacres.com/

I want one!!!!

A challenge to the family:

This Christmas season,

as you wonder what to get Grammy ...

I'd like to challenge each cousin to buy Grammy a Kroger gift certificate.

Each year I get her a gift certificate for Christmas and her birthday too. When she runs out of money on her cards, she always mentions that she has to start buying groceries again out of her own money.

I know she would appreciate it if we all banded together and pitched in to buy her groceries for most of the year.

I'm going to try to get a $100.00 gift certificate for her for Christmas - which is tough to do but I'm going for it - I'll make more money.

I know that's not possible for everyone to go that high but if everyone gave her at least a $20.00 certificate from Kroger - she'd have a bunch of money!!! Even the smallest amount helps her on her limited income.

See you at Christmas!!

Andrea

There's nothing like blowing and drifting snow to say .... "Winter's Here!!"

Santa's lighted stocking

Santa's home away from home!!!!!

Girls, have you ever bought lip gloss only to find out the taste totally grossed you out? Don't you hate it when your lip gloss feels like wax on your lips?

INTRODUCING.......
The lip gloss that changed my life!

GLOW BABY GLOW Hook Up Lip Gloss - from AVON

This is the best lip gloss I've ever had.

It comes in a variety of colors and isn't it convenient that Sarah is an Avon lady?

Have you seen my lips lately? Are they dry? Chapped? NOPE! All thanks to Glow Baby Glow!

Get yours today!

GO COLTS!!!

In case anyone forgot - here's the list from our cousin gift exchange:

Sarah buys for Rich
Andrea buys for Adam
John buys for Allison
Rich buys for Chad
Rosie buys for Liz
Ryan buys for Jenny
Allison buys for Craig
Liz buys for Aaron
Jenny buys for Sarah
Chad buys for John
Craig buys for Ryan
Adam buys for Rosie
Aaron buys for Andrea.

This is probably my favorite picture from the trip

Check out the hurricane damage in Destin Florida

And the beach erosion in Seaside Florida

Just got back from sunny Destin Florida. Here are a couple of pictures to share with you.

I was roaming around the Walmart website and ran into recipes online. Who would ever guess! Looks like Walmart is putting together an Employee Cookbook. They've listed a few really yummy looking recipes on their website. Hey some of them look mighty tasty!!!

Check em out~http://walmart.triaddigital.com/Bake-Center-Event.aspx

Now's your chance!!

Announcing my new column, Ask Andrea.

• Do you need advice?
• Want to vent and need someone to back you up?
• Want to know which grocery store has the best deal on Diet Coke is this week?
• Need to know which hairspray will withstand hurricane force winds?
• Looking for mindless trivia from the net?

Please submit your questions or requests to my blog. No question is too crazy, stupid or out of reach! I'll do my best to get you what you need.

Anyone ever been to Crown Hill Cemetry? The highest point in Indianapolis is there.

James Whitcomb Riley is buried at the highest point along with 2 other shrines to people I don't know. The view of downtown is unmatched!

I took some great pictures from that perch high above the city (and around the grounds too). Here are a few of the shots.

On to a more pleasant subject......

Went to the Indianapolis Art Museum today. Got some great shots! Here are a few.