HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

   Don't wish me a "happy holiday".  What is "happy holiday"?  Does America know what we are celebrating?  Happy Thanksgiving.  Happy Mother's Day.  Merry Christmas.  There.  That wasn't so difficult, was it?  Merry Christmas.  What is wrong with Christmas? 

   The grocery advertisement (H.E.B) comes on the television saying we will save you more jingle for less kringle, shows Christmas decorations, and says "happy holidays"!  What is wrong with this picture!?!  Are we saving more "kringle" on Thanksgiving?  Why do we have Christmas decorations if we are celebrating Thanksgiving.  Why can't we say "Christmas"?

   The auto ad comes on television touting "holiday" savings.  There is Santa selling cars.  So, is the holiday they are talking about Father's Day?  Why is Santa in the commercial if we are not talking about Christmas?  What is so difficult about saying "Christmas"?

   T.J. Maxx had Christmas in their commercial.  Target did not--theirs is a "howliday".  Target had Christmas tree, Christmas cookies, decorations, but it was a "howliday" they were promoting.

   Lexus has a "season to remember" but no Christmas.

   UPS has "holiday" hours.

TMobile has a "4G wonderland."

   Sears has Christmas.

  White Diamonds--this elegant holiday gift.....not Christmas!

  WalMart guarantees lowest "Christmas" prices.

  Spec's.---no Christmas.

  Lincoln autos--no Christmas.

  As November closes, Thanksgiving is over, December begins, I just want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  If you see me on the streets, I refuse to wish you a "Happy Holiday", so don't insult me by saying something so absurd!  December..Christmas. 
   Merry Christmas, everyone.

You can also follow me at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, where we discuss news that the mainstream media omits; http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, where we have Bible reading; and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, where we discuss health issues.  Just click the links.

SCHNAUZER TO PEKINGESE

SCHNAUZER IS PEKINGESE

  I consider myself a good mom.  When I was raising my sons, my focus was on their welfare.  In having a dog, I consider myself a good human.  I even make his dog food instead of buying that dry stuff that has been on the shelves of the stores forever.  I got the recipe from my oldest son, who gave me the dog.  I bathe him, and care for him.

   The morning routine is for him to wake me up, I have a cup of coffee (he hasn't learned how to prepare the coffeepot), then I take him outside to do his business.  His favorite place in the house is at the window.  He will lay at the window with his little head on the window seal, watching the squirrels.  He does not like to be shut in a room where he cannot reach the window.

   This morning, after my cup of coffee, I put him on the leash and started out the door.  He gets excited when the squirrels are on the ground.  So, he goes to squealing and I let go of the leash, so he can run the squirrels.  The squirrels go from the closest tree, across the driveway, and toward the trees by the fence.  Sir Barkley was in hot pursuit. 

   The squirrels went from our yard to the next yard and He was watching them go from tree to tree.  He was running.  There was the fence.  Oops!  He stopped abruptly.  When he came away from the fence, he was a Pekingese!  He looked at me like I did something wrong.  The fence has been there forever.  He knew it.  It was not my fault he ran into it. 
   I laughed so hard, I thought I would wet myself.

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SINGLE MOM'S THANKSGIVING

SINGLE MOM'S THANKSGIVING

   How many single moms are faced with trying to give their children the best holidays they can.  We want to minimize psychological trauma.  It is bad enough that the family is no longer together, but how much can we control? 

   I can't imagine what my sons thought while they were growing up.  One can say I was a little unconventional when it came to holidays.  I had a problem with authority.  Just because the calendar told me I had to celebrate a particular holiday didn't exactly mean I was going to obey.  We celebrated holidays when we decided to, not always when the calendar told us to. 

   My focus on the holidays, whether Christmas, the Fourth of July, or Mother's Day was to give my sons all the attention.  Sometimes that meant stealing their attention away from sadness.  I was everything and I did my best to have them forget that.  We would celebrate Christmas in January.  We would celebrate Thanksgiving in December.  We would celebrate December birthdays in the summer.

   Years later, I don't see any psychological scars from taking our holidays when we decided we wanted to.  Single Moms, don't stress yourself out.  Do your best, as you always do.  Just love the kids.  Stuff a wienie instead of a turkey! 

   Oh, and Christmas:  My sons never knew what to expect.  I would have empty boxes everywhere.  I would have canned vegetables in boxes, wrapped in wrapping paper.  We always laughed.  Today, my sons ask if I have canned vegetables at Christmas.

   Remember, it is not about convention, it is about people.  Just do your best and love the kids.

You can also follow me at http://omaswisdom.blogspto.com/, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/.

Just click the links.

NBA LOCKOUT

NBA LOCKOUT

   I guess you've heard by now that the millionaires of the National Basketball Association (NBA) are in a disagreement with the billionaires of the NBA.  There is a couple of alternatives for those of us who really like our b ball.  This Saturday is the last game of the season for my S.O.'s 8 year old grandaughter.  She has absolutely entertained everybody who has attended her games, in spite of her coach.  For someone who enjoys basketball, I have really been impressed.  I am not looking forward to her season ending.

   There have been junior high and high school basketball games.  Even though I have no ties to these games, I am inclined to take her to some of these games.  Who knows, we may discover something that is better than the NBA.  We may even get involved in the junior high and high school football games also.  At least these games are not aired on Sunday.  I wonder if the big organized sports people are listening.

   See you at the game.

We are currently having a fund raising with proceeds going to bring my Mother home to live with me.  With a donation of $48.50 to http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, we will ship a homemade New York style cherry cheescake to the recepient of your choice.  E-mail us with the address of your chosen recepient at actvsldr@gmail.com.  Honoring our parents is the only commandment with a blessing.  Blessings to you for helping.



BLESSING OF FAMILY

BLESSING OF FAMILY

   I was watching the local news yesterday when the reporter was showing a massive traffic jam.  An 18 wheeler had jack-knifed on a rain soaked major freeway and spilled his load of fuel.  The freeway was closed for hours.  No body was injured. The reporter was interviewing the stranded motorists.  I was particularly attentive to one man who was interviewed who talked to his family through the camera to let them know he was stranded but that he would be home as soon as he could be.  He knew of no way around the problem.

   That is when it struck me about our biggest blessing:  family.  In my years of working as a nurse, the best medicine was when family was allowed to visit with the patients.  When we feel helpless, we tend to consider our families before we consider ourselves.  "How will my family handle this situation without me?"  "I have to be strong for my family."  "I have to overcome this situation because my family depends on me."

   Personally, at my lowest period of my life, it was my children that I focused on to keep me functioning.  But for them, my life would have surely turned out very differently.  What about you?

   When I count my blessings, it is not the material things that is foremost in my gratitude, but my relationships.  I have known people who focus so much energy on making money when the most precious gift is their family, who barely knows they exist. 

You can also follow me at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com, http://omashealth.blogspot.com, and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.  Just click the links. 

To order a cheesecake by Christmas delivery, e-mail me at actvsldr.@gmail.com

PHILADELPHIA CHEESECAKE RECIPE

GREAT COOKS GET READY FOR THANKSGIVING
PHILADELPHIA CHEESECAKE RECIPE

   We have just over two weeks before Thanksgiving.  Great cooks are already preparing so the stress isn't overwhelming.  Besides the meal, we have extra cleaning to do, shopping, preparing, and still have our daily lives to live.  So, let me help with a few tips:

1.  Study the weekly ads for the best prices to save on the groceries

     you know you will require, including the sage.

2.  Start cleaning the house one room at a time.  There is time to keep from

     being stressed.  Invite friends/family to a "cleaning house" party.  Make it

     fun.  Who knows, we may start another tradition.

3.  Bake what you can in advance. 

      A.  Right now, you can bake the cornbread and biscuits for the stuffing

            and freeze it until you are ready for it.

      B.  You can make cookie dough now and freeze it if you will be offering

            cookies for Thanksgiving.  I like the sugar cookies.

      C.  Bake your cheesecake now and freeze it.

4.  Make sure your decorations are worthy.  If you need to replace a piece,

     shop now, before the stores are so full and the selection is reduces.

Here is one of my favorite cheesecake recipes.  I have never had a complaint on this.  I will not eat those "plastic" cheesecakes that are purchased in the grocery stores. 

Philadelphia New York Cheesecake

9  Honey Maid Honey Grahams, crushed (1 1/2C.)

1  C. + 3 T. sugar, divided

3  T. butter, melted

5   pkg. (8 oz. each) Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

3   T. all purpose flour

1   T. vanilla

1   C. sour cream

4   eggs

1   can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling

* This recipe is best made the day before you plan to eat it so it can set.

Heat oven to 325 degrees F.  Mix crumbs, 3 T. sugar and butter; press firmly onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.  (I like to double the amount of crust) Bake 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, remaining sugar (1 cup), flour and vanilla with mixer until blended.  Add sour cream; mix well.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each just until blended.  Pour over crust

Bake at 325 degrees F. for an hour and 5 minutes or until center is almost set.  Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim.  Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Top with pie filling. 

Prep. time: 15 minutes.  Total:  4 hours 55 minuted (including refrigerating)

**  another way to bake this is to pour a layer of melted chocolate between the base and filling.  Let it set before adding the filling.

*** Spray the sides of the pan with no-stick cooking spray to minimize cracking.  You can also wrap foil around the bottom of the springform pan and place it in a bain-marie (hot water bath) to minimize cracking.

**** My Daughter likes the cheesecake slow baked:  pre-heat the oven to 450 degrees.  Bake the cheesecake for 10-15 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 250 degrees for another hour and 15-30 minutes  (until the center of the cheesecake no longer looks glossy but instead looks dull - about 155-160 degrees if you have a thermometer).  Turn the oven off and open the door to allow the cheesecake to cool---about 15 minutes.  Then loosen the rim and allow to finish cooling on the counter.  Refrigerate over night.

    Some have suggested to start at 325 with the crust, take crust out, put filling in, return pan to oven and immediately turn down to 200 degrees and bake for 2 - 3 hours

   Here is another thought:   I let mine completely cool on counter. Then I put it in fridge and dont remove spring tell next day. It was a trick I was told and so far not had it happened again

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FREE CHEVROLET

FREE CHEVROLET

   Did you see game 7 of the World Series?  It should have ended in 6 but it is what it is.  At the end of game 7, David Freese was named MVP and was awarded a brand new Chevrolet Corvette.  Allow me to examine this, if you will, keeping in mind that I don't begrudge him the car.  But...

   My Chevrolet truck has nearly a half a million miles on it.  I think I would gladly give it back to the company for a free new one.  It has been faithful through raising three boys.  I have performed routine maintenance on it.  It doesn't look bad.  In fact, I have had people offer to buy it when I have no intention of selling it.  I have grown attatched to it.  But, if they offered a free new one for it.

   Seriously, I was laying in bed just last night pondering my wealth.  I was lying in a comfortable bed with pillows and blankets for my comfort.  I had had a shower with clean running water.  I have indoor plumbing so I can use the toilet.  I had eaten food yesterday and did not go to bed hungry.  I am in excellent health.  I have intelligence.  My sons are well.  I get to communicate with my Mother and Dad regularly.  They are walking and talking and breathing.  Daddy works almost everyday.  I have friends and family for emotional support.  I have access to God's word and am not persecuted for my religion.   I have much to be grateful for.  And I am grateful.

   Besides, my truck still works.  Why be greedy?

You can also follow me at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, where we have returned to the Book of Job.