20 Happy New Year 2011!!

What happens when penguins drink to much eggnog ?

Oops!

Sending wishes to all for a safe, healthy and happy 2011 !

Cheers!

 Faythe ~ GrammyMouseTails ~

Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.   ~Author Unknown

33 Reindeer droppings

And favorite a Christmas toy...

Mid-season holidays wishes everyone!

We had a wonderful Christmas visiting with our oldest son and daughter-in-law and the 2 grandsons! (how can you not enjoy Christmas with children!)

I will be around to visit who I may of missed last week and of course this week as well.

But first I want to share...

something the reindeer dropped! 
can you see the nibble marks?

One of the favorite toys received this year. Left for the youngest, Sam but will be used with joy also by big brother Collin.

Sam in mid-bounce

Collin taking a turn

A special exercise trampoline for little boys to let off some steamy in-door energy! Fun for a Bounce-in-the-house!

Mr. Linky and LinkyTools are below for all to use and leave me a way to find your fun this week. I am also linking up to Wordish Wednesday, A Beautiful Mess, Parenting by Dummies, Hobo Mama and Live and Love Out Loud.

Until next time ...








LinkyTools

28 Merry Christmas 2010

Sharing my Wish for all my faithful readers and friends this holiday season...

a first Christmas

May all your wishes come true...

a second Christmas

May your family and friends find comfort and joy...

  watching for Santa

May your eyes always hold the delight of a child...

   

May you always find the Light to find your way...

  building a traditional gingerbread house

leaving cookies and carrots with a letter for Santa in anticipation of the morning to come

My hope for a Christmas that fulfills my needs … to be forgiven from greed and selfishness, to fill my soul with peace and compassion, for hope and faith and charity, for myself renewed and hope restored in an erring world. And for peace and glad tidings to all.

No matter which holiday you celebrate or how you may participate, may your heart be filled with joy, love and understanding of others, and best wishes for a Happy and healthy New Year!

Until next time...
My sincere thanks for visiting
and all your wonderful 
and amusing comments!






I will be back soon to reply to all comments after a short break to enjoy my family and blessings, and look forward to see you when I return.

sincerely, Faythe

6 Santa Baby... "the Ladies Room"

The Ladies Room, Christmas edition

{overheard, laughs and snickers}

  It has been awhile since the Ladies Room has made an appearance, my naughty side decided it was time...

As usual this content is Not Politically Correct, not aimed at any person in particular and meant (hopefully) to tickle your sassy funny bone.

 

  The real reason Santa is so very jolly because he knows where all the bad girls live!

   What do you get if Santa comes down your chimney when the fire is ablaze? 

 Crisp Kringle.

 talk about your bathroom humor! euww!

  Anyone who believes that men are the equal of women has never seen a man trying to wrap a Christmas present. 

 

The truth about reindeer...

  According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December.

Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring. 

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should have known... ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Until next time...

Enjoy the holidays (safely) which ever holiday you celebrate!


Ha, ha, ha...
err- Ho, ho, ho!

9 Favre stops at 297!

Brett Favre's consecutive game starting record ended today at 297. The longest streak of any position player in NFL history. Love him or hate him, he has earned the right to be called the best quarterback in history.

Brett Favre's streak started on Sept. 27, 1992 with the Packers in Green Bay, WI when he was called into the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, replacing an injured Don Majkowski. Considered a "kid" barely a rookie, he won that day, and has won 186 games during his remarkable streak. He's also been named to 11 Pro Bowls and is a three-time league most valuable player. December 13, 2010 too many injuries in close proximity ended that historic run. 297 consecutive game starts! (Including playoffs, Favre started 321 consecutive games.)

 "the kid" photo

Favre has become the most decorated QB in NFL history, a three-time MVP and a champion in Super Bowl XXXI. Favre owns almost every significant NFL passing record, including most completions(6,295), passing yards(71,775), passing career touchdowns(507) and all-time QB wins (186). He earned those records, you can't dispute them nor take them away. Green Bay Packers, New York Jets and the Minnesota Vikings, he brought and broke records playing for all three teams.
(My favorite time is with the Packers, of course!)

Yes, I am Green Bay Packer fan, and a Brett Favre fan. To me he has always brought excitement to the game. A game I grew up watching but not really knowing about, I really didn't pay attention. When Favre stepped on the field he brought excitement and enthusiasm, I saw that, felt it and started to pay attention. I drove my husband crazy with repeated questions, what did this mean? why can't they get another...? what does the ref mean by? well, I think you get the drift. I got caught up in that excitement that "the kid" brought to the game. I love to watch him leap into the air with each touchdown. I love his smile and stories of his pranks and just the fun that he brought to the game. If you are a newer reader I wrote about how hard it was to watch him leave WI and even harder when he came to play in Lambeau Field wearing another teams colors here and here. But no matter what the weekly story was good, bad, scandalous I knew Brett would play the game with the same determination and excitement, as long as it was still fun and he felt he was playing and giving it 100%.

Brett in Vikings colors (sad sigh)

Is he perfect? No. Is anyone? He has his faults, but I believe he still loves the game and his family. They are what is important to him. It shows, you see it in his face. His actions may not be always what others feel are appropriate, but that is because he is still just a man. Not a God, a human being with all it's frailties, complications and imperfections.

still has mischievous grin

on side lines watching consecutive game streak end

This football season, Favre fractured his ankle, but still started six more games. The shoulder injury is the latest - and most serious - ailment to hit Favre this season. Favre told the press that the sprained SC joint in his right shoulder has produced a knot the size of a golf ball located between his neck and collarbone and that he's experienced numbness in his right hand all week. I personally know what that may feel like, not fun. Favre said he believes it's the result of both the sprained shoulder itself and the fact it aggravated a pinched nerve in his neck that he's had since the Washington game two weeks ago. He also played through elbow tendinitis and two broken bones in his foot in October and then suffered a lacerated chin that knocked him out of a game on Oct. 31. He played on like any other year. Could you could keep on going year after year and still love what you are doing enough to give it 100%? Especially with injuries and pain?

20 years 

  That is a long time for any type of career these days.  
  20 years and 297 consecutive games! 
Yet he still has that twinkle in his eyes and the "game face" when needed. I hope he is able to finish out the season. But if he decides to finally hang up his cleats, he has earned the right too. When he no longer walks out on a field in any type of football attire and is really sitting at home watching a game on his own TV, or in the stands like any other viewer, then I will know he is really retired. Until then no one knows. 
Not even Brett Favre.  

Photo credit Sports Illustrated

 Rest well my friend. 
After all, a streak doesn't start until the first game and ends with the last.

Still your fan...

  
photo credits and statistic facts gathered from various news agencies

49 Snowflakes and blizzards

A mighty storm swooped down across the mid-west, I am sure many of you have heard, felt or seen it in your area. 

Winter has arrived and blew her frosty breath for attention. 

I decided to see what my little Sony Cyber-shot point and shoot could do at night, during a brief lull around midnight. You all get to see how it and I did with no particular settings.

I have mentioned before, I play with pictures, I tend to point fast and snap. I know for the good photos I need to slow down and learn to use some of the settings ( the few this little purse size camera has). When I visit your blogs I am always hoping to learn some things.

I thought these first two gave me the feeling of a spooky night, that it was, you never know what you find after a blizzard in my yard...

 

this would be the railroad tie wall that holds up the hill behind our house.

the snow is up to the top of the tallest RR tie about 4 feet tall.

looking the opposite direction towards the direction out, towards the road.

only light source was from a small porch light.

I guess I was steadier for this one

I believe the blue spots are wet snowflakes on my lens. 

Winds blew all night and temperatures dropped, bring the deadly sub-zero wind chills with it for morning, and continued through the day.

 what a difference daylight makes!

Here was just one of the surprises from the wet and heavy snow. 

 up on the house top garage roof, snowflakes fall...

So we still wait to remove snow and frozen limbs and sticks ( it is always a game of pick up sticks, here!) as the wind makes it to cold to attempt going outside, unless you are a very furry abominable snowman. We can wait until tomorrow and see what that day brings. Hubby will see if the lawn tractor with snow-thrower attachment starts. It better, we just had to put a new battery in the car, ughh.

Mr. Linky is below so I, and others can come visit you. 

I am also linked to A Beautiful Mess, A Hobo Mama and  Live and Love Outloud for more Wordful or Wordless Wednesdays to enjoy. 

Snowflakes, blizzards, wind or just rain...

How did you survive the storm?

Do you  have any photo pointers for me?

Until next time...

remember,

I love your comments

Oh geezers! Now you all can see how screwy this weather and the bad cold I have been battling has done to my head... 

I posted an early Wednesday! LOL!

25 Climbing, crawling and cake

What could these things have in common?

Oh, and lets not forget snow, lots of snow and bouncing...

My grandsons 5th birthday!!!

We spent this last weekend up by our oldest son and daughter-in-laws to join in the celebration of Collin's 5th Birthday. What a fun filled weekend, despite the winter weather advisories with wind, cold and snow everywhere. It was nice and cozy inside for a birthday party for a special boy and a few friends at Edinborough Park, in Edina, Minnesota. 

Just outside of Minneapolis is this inside park with what they call the country's largest indoor climbing, crawling, slip sliding and bouncing adventure. This place was huge, and I can see why it would be a great place for a kids party or just a day out during the long cold winter months that freeze over the mid-west. We can easily catch a case of cabin fever and when you have kids... well I am sure all of you that have them can agree that being locked up inside with little ones who are bored and have too much pent-up energy running around the house can drive a-mom-or-dad CRAZY!

We spent most of our time inside Adventure Peak where almost an acre of bouncing, climbing, running, jumping, not to mention some cool slides did a great job of keeping the little critters busy and entertained (watching them was quite fun too, if not just as exhausting!) They even have a special area for wee little ones too. With smaller slides, climbing things and more fun. Cool rock climbing walls and dodging over stuffed rolls that were vertically tiered or hanging, rope and mesh tunnels high above ground and lots of look out points to wave at the parents sitting below. Though a few adults did follow some children through this giant tree house full of obstacles, I did not venture that far for fear of getting lost or worse! ☺

Two and a half year old little brother Sam did not have any interest of the toddler area, he ran in with the big kids! That is one boy that has No Fear!

The kids spent a good portion burning off calories (and making more gray hairs in this Grammys head) and then it was time for pizza and snacks. Of course birthday cake was dessert. A cute Disney Cars themed cake with Lightning McQueen and Tater on top (to play with later). 

 Sam in the stripes trying to reach through moms arms to get at the cake!

Then the kids thought nothing of running back into Adventure Peak. After a little while though I noticed an increase in volume of screams and giggles, as I think, at least half if not more of the kids playing were they for some type of party, so I am assuming the volume increase came of an intense sugar high or maybe I should call it sugar Roar! 

 

Even Sam has no problem eating cake!

There was also another room that kids could use scooters and other wheeled vehicles to ride or push each other on, with a much larger bounce house for older kids. Sam was giving it "the eye" but went back into the Peak instead, whewww! This was a nice alternative for a party with kids, especially during winter days when a house full of kids could drive the most patient of people nuts! It is open everyday, so I lived in the area I would be taking advantage of indoor park. There is additional facilities for workouts and more, too. Minneapolis/St. Paul area has lots of great parks and things to do, but I really like their public park system.

The next day would be the family party. More adults and of course cousins too. This one was scheduled for later in the day, so a bit more low keyed.

Instead of a cake, Mom had a friend of hers that bakes, make special cupcakes! Yummy!

Of course there was playtime with the cousins and adults visiting and watching what the littles where doing as well. We think Collin may have a future in television, as things were getting set up in-between the food and before the cupcakes would be served, Collin starting introducing everyone who was there. He is quite the little comic, ☺ when he ran out of people he was announcing the food, items in the room and of course the presents! He became the entertainment for the party!

 Collin enjoying his Birthday cupcake.

Considering he had major surgery on both legs earlier this year, and the problems he has already battled, he has come a long way. Collin is such a cheery guy and a snuggler, it is always hard to pack up to say goodbye. 

It seems like he grew 6 inches taller just since July! Both Collin and his little brother are growing like crazy. We can't wait until we see them again. I am sure they will be still crawling, climbing and bouncing!

As a side note, I mentioned last week about the flurries seen in my area, when I arrived home there was several inches of flurries that needed to be removed from our mountain of a driveway. Hubby got a workout shoveling our sons sidewalk and back parking area and when he got home he had our humongous driveway , but with ours luckily he gets to use a lawn tractor with a snow thrower on it. And yes, I am still freezing!

Thanks for sharing this moment with me.
Mr. Linky is below, what do you have to share?

Until next time ...







I was in no way compensated for this post. Any places or items mentioned were paid for by myself or family and enjoyed by them and friends, and mentioned in case you care to check them out.