And the Winner Is . . . .

All the captions for my "Scary Picture of the Day" were great, Mr. itsme and I could not decide on just one, so, YOU ALL WIN!

Randy, Pam, AZ KD & lemming, if you want cookies, send me your address via email (see my profile) and specify chocolate chip (with or without nuts), oatmeal raisin or white chocolate chunk cranberry. I made a bunch of these (see picture) this past weekend and they were the first to go, so I KNOW they are good.

Or I can easily do a combination of each if you'd like all three kinds.

If you don't want to give your address then thanks for participating and I hope you keep visiting my blog.

KONY 2012

Please take 30 minutes out of your day and watch this video. Then join us on April 20, 2012.

An Evening With Rachel Maddow

This past Saturday evening, I had the supreme pleasure of watching Rachel Maddow walk onto the stage of the Morris Daily Auditorium at San Jose State University wearing black sneakers with bright blue stripes and pink socks. She was on the SJSU campus to receive the John Steinbeck Award. Presented by The Center for Steinbeck Studies, the award is given to “artists and activists whose work exemplifies values found in the writings of John Steinbeck: a concern for the natural environment, a commitment to the common people, and the courage to critique the contrasts between the powerful and the poor.”

Ms. Maddow is a local girl, having been born and raised in Castro Valley, California. She graduated from Castro Valley High School, received her bachelor’s degree in public policy from Stanford University in 1994, and her doctorate in political science from Oxford University, which she attended on a Rhodes Scholarship, as the first openly gay American to win a Rhodes Scholarship.

During the hour and a half interview with San Francisco KGO’s Pat Thurston, Maddow talked about her career in talk radio, hosting her own show on MSNBC, as well as a few political issues of the day like the Occupy movements, gay marriage, and the upcoming 2012 election. When asked what she thought made her successful as a radio host and personality, Maddow answered that it basically boiled down to her detail in explaining issues, rather than being the liberal activist many of her critics paint her as – but make no mistake, she is proud to be a Liberal.

My favorite quote was when she was asked what she thought of those who hate her and she said it comes from them not wanting to hear what’s wrong.

“I sometimes think that hate and that reactionary position comes from a love of country, you don’t want to be told that there is anything wrong…,” Maddow said.

The much too short evening was closed by the presentation of the John Steinbeck Award by John Steinbeck’s oldest son, Thomas, who said his father’s job was “to reconnect humans with their own humanity” and that his father would have been “absolutely fascinated and intrigued by Rachel Maddow and her role as a first-class observer and commentator of the political agendas that now embroil our country…”

Scary Picture of the Day

I don't need to say anything, you all know what I'm thinking already right?

OK, I can't help myself: he's giving up desserts (only for 40 days?) Having had three marriages and numerous affairs, this is going to be a real sacrifice for a man who likes having his cake and eating it too.

Calista says she's "giving up my opinion" (and blinking apparently). How about the account at Tiffany's and the Botox! Like all good submissive Republican women, first it's your opinion, then it's your shoes.

Of course, what else could they give up? I guess being truthful, having morals, intelligence, principles, etc., would just be too hard.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTEST ALERT
Fresh baked cookies for the person to come up with the best caption for this picture (you'll have to give me your address)

Randomized Thoughts 2/20/12

I know it's been almost two months since I've written anything, I had grand plans, believe me. Since the beginning of the new year I've had a few changes in my life - some good, some not so much. For what it's worth, here's what I've got:

Had a sleep study done in late December and was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea. My new best friend is now my trusty CPAP machine. Didn't take long to fall in love with the little guy (Fred as he is known). Trouble is I don't snore anymore but I still lie awake in the middle of the night jousting those night demons. Mr. itsme has had his own "Fred" for almost a year but he hasn't named it. What a pair of old farts we've become!

Speaking of Mr. itsme, he retired at the end of September 2011. It's been great. For him. I still get up in the wee hours and drive the hour to work. Nice thing, I make my own coffee in the morning and we're savings thousands of dollars by giving up Starbucks. I'm not jealous or anything (I'm not, I'm not, I'm not!) but he's having far too much fun without me.

I lost my only living Aunt this past weekend, she was born and died on the same date (I always thought that would look cool on a headstone). My late Father's only sister, we were blessed to have her in our lives for 85 years. All 10 of my late Mother's brothers & sisters are gone too. I remarked to my youngest brother after hearing the news, that we are the "old folks" in the family now. It's OK, if I leave this earth loved as much as she it will all have been worth it.

Our family is eagerly awaiting the birth of a new addition to the family, sometime in mid-March is his or her arrival date. The parents-in-waiting opted out of knowing. In April a long awaited Wedding - 11 years in the making - will be performed by Mr. itsme. I have promised to wear a dress. This may be a promise I cannot keep however, as unlike the Bride-to-Be, I'm having second thoughts.

The last bit of disappointing news of the year (if I put it all in perspective) is that my beloved 49ers did not make it to the Super Bowl. I'm not one to hold a grudge and rooted for the Giants, even though they were the reason we didn't make it. Who can hate Eli Manning???

Happy New Year!

Didn't make it to midnight, rarely do. Looking forward to a new year of getting healthier (explanation coming), spending more time with family, and getting rid of "stuff," physically as well as mentally. Going to watch my 49ers win this morning and go on to the playoffs, maybe even the Superbowl. Then watching my adopted Oregon Ducks win the Rose Bowl.

This year we have another wonderful addition to the family due in March, a long awaited Wedding in April, Mr. itsme's retirement party in January (my own possibly in December). I'm expecting lots of changes -the good kind- this year also. Life is so short, I'm determined to make this the best year EVER.

Love & blessings to you and yours.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I'm a day early but I've got 4 pies to bake this afternoon - 2 pumpkin, 2 apple. Made my cranberry sauce last night and all the cookies "the kids" expect when they arrive. I've got my lemon bundt cake (and vanilla ice cream) at the ready too. Thanksgiving is all about the desserts for me since I'm a baker.

I was going to "do it all" this year but decided to let family help out. Why make myself crazy? Husband will do his famous deep-fried turkey (no, it's not greasy); my youngest brother & his better half will bring salad; niece & nephew-in-law from Oregon are making the sweet potatoes and bringing our NEW BABY to his first Thanksgiving feast; other niece & fiancée are making Guy Fieri's garlic mashed potatoes; ex-SIL & husband are bringing the appetizers (yes, we are a civilized bunch). I will complete the menu with my legendary sauteed brussels sprouts, turkey gravy and Mom's apple-sage dressing. Some cousins and dear friends will join us around our table again this year too.

I'm thankful for all the blessings, expected and unexpected, our family has received this year. I'm thankful we can gather together and enjoy one another's company - and like it. No matter what life throws our way, we will always have each other, and no one and no thing can ever take that away.

I'm thankful for my blog friends as well, although we will probably never meet, you are an important piece of the puzzle that is my life. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and hope you are able to spend it with people who mean the most to you. Take care.

R.I.P. Uncle Gilbert

Received the news last night that Uncle Gilbert passed away. He was cremated and his ashes will be interned in a Veteran's cemetery in the Central Valley (CA). A memorial service to be held soon. Here's my April 2011 post about his illness:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impending death is not an easy event to deal with.

Mr. itsme’s Uncle Gilbert was told by his Doctors to go home, put your affairs in order and enjoy whatever time is left. He’s stopped all treatments like chemo and has stopped taking all medications (relating to cancer) too. Uncle Gilbert is very aware that his declining health is leading him towards death. He faces this fact every second of his life now starting with the moment he found out his cancer was terminal, but his positive attitude and childlike gratitude is an inspiration to me.

Because there are 7 brothers and sisters, the family decided to have a luncheon at a local restaurant. With one or two exceptions, every family member was in attendance.

When we first got the invitation I felt a little uncomfortable by the whole thing. Would it be awkward? Would it be maudlin? What do you say when you arrive “You look good for an almost dead guy." And what do you say when it’s time to leave “Take care, see you soon?” And to the other relatives “See you at the funeral.”

I was surprised that the most important thing I came away with was to make Uncle Gilbert’s passing as peaceful and happy as possible. It is up to us, the family, to be his net of support. Too many times I’ve seen family members overwhelmed with their own grief and instead of providing a joyful atmosphere, they generate an atmosphere of gloom and depression. The luncheon and gathering to talk and reminisce about all the things the family loved and would always remember about Uncle Gilbert was an excellent activity, for him and for us. Lots of pictures were taken, old stories told, and yes, a few tears were shed. A few beers were cracked also.

Life is precious and fleeting, enjoy.