Something NEW and my 2008 Review (Meme)

Make Time for Small Reflections
(Heads or Tails is in the next post)

Did you know that elephants like snow?

2008 Review Meme
(as I remember it)

I confess I can't recall
just who tagged me, but the ball
bounced to me & I did play
gathering these here today.

Addendum ... Methinks it was Hootin' Anni
who wrote about this tag ...so the
award at the bottom is
certainly hers too!

Last year I did modify
rules to play, but this year I
found this meme a simple fete ...
and what follows is complete.

To join in this quick review
here is all you need to do.

Copy, paste, & share the first sentence(s) of the first post of each month during 2008 ... including links for anyone who would like to read more ... just because.

Remember these ...
or not ...?

January - Mondays Blog Review Meme
(for newbies like me)
I've only been blogging for 10 weeks, so I can't pick the 1st post of each month to do the 2007 meme, but I can take 1st line from each Monday's post to see what happens.

February - Haiku Friday - Volume 9
What a marathon
time of writing this has been
authoring two blogs.

Fifteen items left
to complete "One Hundred One
Things About Myself"

I've run out of steam
for the moment, but I hope
I will finish soon.

March - Saturday Edition - Five Really Good Things
1. This picture from Lol Cats and Funny Pictures cracked me up this morning when I saw it!

April -Happily Hai-ku'd Happenings
This morning I spent
time with Google Reader in
hopes of clearing out

many unread posts
but it seems a hopeless task ...
500 plus left!

May - T-13 #22 - Modified Meme of Fours (part 2)
Ivanhoe tagged me for 'The Meme of Fours' after being tagged by her new blogging buddy Life, or Something Like It. As written, this meme has 7 categories with 4 things in each, but I've modified it to have just 3 categories with 4 items plus an extra item to make a total of 13 for a previous Thursday Thirteen post (#20) ... and have decided to use the remaining categories today.

June - CC#7, TENNIS UPDATE, and my 8th UM ...
The French Open
It's Day 8 but yesterday
dubbed a '5-set Saturday'
with men's matches ... close and long
today's players all so strong!

July -Heads or Tails #13 - Yippee!!!
I intended to write about my 18 day trip last summer to Taos, New Mexico for HoTs this week. However, as some of you know ... I've been taking classes on Photoshop Elements 6 for about 7 weeks. Computer memory issues had been plaguing me for some time ... and working with Photoshop requires LOTS of memory ... so I ordered a new laptop June 12th ... shared the saga of delays as they unfolded during the time between then and now.

August 1st - HF#61 - An apology, correction, and more ...
I apologize
to the Sky Watch visitors
because my 1st link

in the Sky Watch Hub
brings you here when my Sky Watch
post is located

on my other blog
with a Haiku of it's own
... a simple mistake.

September 1st - Fun Monday #21 - My blogging spaces ...
My favorite 'blogging space' is outside on my patio ... in the company of Ms. Kitty OR Molly (if you look closely at the large photo you'll see her head next to the chair closest to the open door), but never both since they don't really enjoy the company of one another. I blog here in the early morning (before the sun overtakes the patio and creates too much glare to read the screen) ... and in the late afternoon/early evening when shade returns. Notice my lime tree providing the shade has tons of ripened fruit. Fortunately there's an electrical outlet just behind the blue chairs for when I need a 'charge' ...

October 1st - Whimsical Wednesday #7
In case you missed them ... I left an award for all my 'followers' (see sidebar widget) last Friday ... and another animated award for ALL my 'bloggy friends' in my Morning Musings on Monday to enjoy and pass along to others. I know I've been busier than usual lately and haven't done as much blog visiting the last few weeks. I'm sorry if I've missed some of your posts, and am hopeful that I'll get a handle on 'life' soon.

November 1st - NaBloPoMo begins today with

CC#32 and SS#26

It's been a BUSY & challenging week,

... yet enjoyable in many ways as well.

1. Thanks to everyone who left 'remedy suggestions' and 'well-wishes' while I dealt with a lingering sinus headache for several days last week. Fortunately, the weather has shifted from dry to damp ... finally! My it's a thing of the past at the moment and I'm hoping we get some measurable rain out of the storm cell off the coast of Southern California because we do need it.

December 1st - Monday Morning Musings
After being greeted with a 'blitz of spam' on more than a dozen old posts from someone named John who seems to be pushing a site that sells drugs to enhance sex life of men (now hopefully deleted forever by me) ... I've published a brief Haiku, Morning Musings about WordPress & shared three new awards at my new Happily Retired Gal blog already this morning, so I hope you'll drop by when time permits.

Addendum
I made this award for everyone who
participates in this meme on their own blog
and leaves me a link so I can visit too.

How about it?
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"To look backward for a while is to refresh the eye, to restore it, and to render it the more fit for its prime function of looking forward." Margaret Fairless Barber, The Roadmender

A New Year's Gift for ALL my Bloggy Friends

Make Time for Small Reflections
(This was a 'Sticky' Post, but it's not one now)
Click for recent posts
Heads or Tails - 'Watch'
Something New & my 2008 Review (Meme)

Wishing Everyone a
Joyous, Prosperous & Peaceful 2009

Clickable Haiku Links
Procrastination
habit I wish I could break ...
perhaps THIS may help?

Entertaining and
thought-provoking musical
clip you'll want to view.

One more gift to share
I hope you will take the time
to view this brief clip

from Mac Anderson
found in Simple Truths email
early Friday morn

guaranteed to put
a smile upon your face
as it does on mine.

If you need a smile
click this 'doggie' video
... delightful surprise!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." Benjamin Franklin

Heads or Tails #30 - Watch

Make Time for Small Reflections
Ruby Tuesday is at Happily Retired Gal
This is my 30th ...

This week's prompt is: HEADS - "Watch"

Click to embiggen for better viewing

and for others participating in HoTs this week.

NEXT week's theme/prompt is: TAILS
"Three Things" Tell three things you learned in 2008.

Yes ... the three photos on the bottom left of the collage are of Molly watching television. She does this often and regular readers might recall that I shared this information last July in almost Wordless Wednesday #38.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back
If you missed them, click for ...
A Pajama Quiz and an Award to Share
An Award and more ...
Unconscious Mutterings #37
Gratitude for Bloggy Friends
Camera Critters #36 - Mother Rescing her Child
Haiku Friday SkyWatch
Haiku Friday #101 - Christmas Cookies & More

Thought for Today
"Watches are so named as a reminder - if you don't watch carefully what you do with your time, it will slip away from you." Drew Sirtors

A Pajama Quiz and an Award to Share

Make Time for Small Reflections

You Are Flannel Pajamas

You seek comfort above everything else. You rather feel good than look good. You are a very relaxed person, especially when you're surrounded by your favorite things and people. You are a homebody. Home is the place where you can truly be yourself. You are likely to wear pajamas a lot. In fact, you often change into your pj's the minute you get home!

What Kind of Pajamas Are You?

Sandee of Comedy Plus shared the Spread The ♥ Award with her bloggy friends recently after receiving it from Colleen of Life Is A Story. Thank you so very much Sandee.

Here are the rules:

1. Copy the badge and put it on your blog.
2. Link back who passed you this tag.
3. Spread this tag to at least 10 or more bloggers.

I pass this Spread The ♥ Award on to all of my regular readers. I hope you'll enjoy it and pass it along to YOUR regular reader too.

You'll find other awards at Happily Retired Gal today.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today

"The best time to make friends is before you need them."
Ethel Barrymore

Unconscious Mutterings #37

Make Time for Small Reflections

This is the 309th issue of ...

I'm participating for the 37th time today
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?
If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Destined :: predetermined or fated for a specific purpose
2. FAIL :: ure is an opportunity to begin again, more intelligently ... (and reminds me of this photo)
3. Camping :: can be fun ... but these days I want the comforts of home when I participate.
   
4. "Only you :: can prevent forest fires." (remember Smokey the Bear?)
   
5. Incessant :: constant or continual
   
6. Tomorrow :: is a new day
   
7. Impressive :: natural rock formations (click to view)
   
8. Riches :: relationships with family & friends
   
9. Dislike :: enjoy
   
10. Speaker :: of the House, Nancy Pelosi
    

Your turn: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Destined ::
2. FAIL ::
3. Camping ::
4. Only you ::
5. Incessant ::
6. Tomorrow ::
7. Impressive ::
8. Riches ::
9. Dislike ::
10. Speaker ::

Click for others muttering today.

If you missed these ... check out:
Camera Critters #36 - Mother Rescing her Child
Haiku Friday #101 - Christmas Cookies & More
Merry Christmas to all ...
A bit of Christmas Cheer ...
Midday Musings and Holiday Fun

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"I used to believe that anything was better than nothing. Now I know that sometimes nothing is better." Glenda Jackson

Camera Critters #36 - Mother Rescing her Child

Make Time for Small Reflections

This is my 36thMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here.

I can't take credit for these photos,
but when I received them in email this week
I figured they'd make a fun Camera Critters post!
Click to 'embiggen' photos for better viewing.

Mother Rescuring Her Child

Look at the dog's face ... what an expression!!!
Yeah...What in the heck was that ????

Click for others participating in Camera Critters today.
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." Marion C. Garretty, quoted in A Little Spoonful of Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul

Haiku Friday #101 - Christmas Cookies & More

Make Time for Small Reflections

Day after Christmas
rainstorm passed blue sunny skies
with an onshore wind

keeping temp'ratures
below normal ... cheery fire
providing warmth

as I type this 'ku
without sharing any skies
3rd post for today

munching gingerbread
cookies as I sip my tea ...
Life is good, indeed!

Click for today's Haiku Sky Watches at
Sacred Ruminations & Happily Retired Gal

If you have the time
here's a 'cookie' quiz you might
enjoy leisurely ...

You Are a Peanut Butter Kiss Cookie

You are a social, friendly, caring person. You are good at helping people. You have a very giving heart. You are a natural teacher or counselor. You get value from making someone's life better. You are trustworthy, and a natural problem solver.

What Holiday Cookie Are You?

If you decide to participate ...
please leave your results in comments
or a link to where I can find them on your blog.
Remember you can copy & paste!

Doggie Christmas Surprise

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Cookies are made of butter and love." Norwegian Proverb

Merry Christmas to all ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

Hope Santa visited

while you were sleeping

and left you presents ...

drank 'tea' that was steeping

munching on cookies

you left just for him

(he has all year to

'weigh in' & get thin)

but had a schedule

last night to go
around the world

with 'gifts' don't you know!

This Christmas morning

I hope you'll remember

the reason we celebrate

every December.

Happy Birthday Jesus

I've shared another version of this song
at Happily Retired Gal with precious Anne Geddes baby photos.

Small Reflections, Smile Back!

Thought for Today

"I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into the holidays - let them overtake me unexpectedly - waking up some fine morning and suddenly saying to myself: 'Why, this is Christmas Day!'" David Grayson

A bit of Christmas Cheer ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

I received this in email and decided to pass it along
with a reminder to have a safe celebration
on Christmas Eve ...

IF YOU SEE A FAT MAN ...

Who's jolly and cute,

Wearing a beard and

a red flannel suit,

And if he is chuckling

and laughing away,

While flying around

in a miniature sleigh,

With eight tiny reindeer

to pull him along,

Then let's face it...

Your eggnog's too strong!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

If you missed it earlier today, the next post contains
a brief holiday video from the Story People
and a Santa Update from Norad
along with some musings.

Thought for Today
"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season; the Christians called it 'Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!'"
Dave Barry, "Christmas Shopping: A Survivor's Guide"

Midday Musings and Holiday Fun

Make Time for Small Reflections

I'm happy to have my cards finished & mailed. I've spent a few hours this morning responding to email and comments (if I have your email address). I'm far enough behind that I'm not likely to be able to write responses on my blogs ... so I want you all to know that I appreciate everyone who visited and shared their thoughts.

Here's a quickie holiday video ... Enjoy!

The Last Minute

I shared a Public Service Announcement for Coffee Drinkers at Happily Retired Gal earlier ... and will repeat it here ... just because.

Starbucks has all their coffee beans on sale at 20% off until December 31st … so I stocked up on Christmas Blend (regular & decaf), getting an EXTRA 10% off with my ‘card’ … pretty nifty, eh?

Holiday Update from the North Pole
NORAD has learned that the closing ceremonies for the Reindeer Games have taken place at the North Pole. More than 48 reindeer participated this year. Challenges included take-off speed, freestyle sky-dancing, synchronized touch-and-go, and hoof patty-cake for the fawns.

Santa’s elves have finished installing the lights around Santa’s Workshop. As with the Jewish Festival of Light on Hanukkah, Christmas is a time to bring warmth and brightness into the world. Candles and lights are symbols of that spirit.

Thought for Today
"Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious." Peter Ustinov

I'm busy writing notes in Christmas Cards ...

... that I created & printed yesterday (while catching up on laundry). You can read about the process in yesterday's post
at Sacred Ruminations and see a facsimile in this morning's
post at Happily Retired Gal.

I apologize for not visiting anyone yesterday and won't be dropping by today until I'm finished with this task because
if I don't get them in the mail today ... they have no chance
of arriving at their destination before Christmas Day.

If you're caught up with everything and have time to play,
I'm just a little jealous. There's lots of Christmas 'stuph' here
to explore ... including games for kids of all ages. Check
the sidebar for links.

Several of you have asked how to add 'snow' to your blogs.
I explained how to do it for Blogger & WordPress platforms
in Haiku Friday #96 at Sacred Ruminations.

You'll find Christmas music & more holiday related stuph at
Blog Rolls, Bling, & Blurbs.

Finally ... I created two new awards for my bloggy friends to express my gratitude to all who have visited & left comments on any or all of my blogs during this busy holiday season during December. You'll find them here and here. Please snag, enjoy, and pass them along to friends as you choose as my holiday gift to each of you.

I hope you're enjoying the holiday season!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thoughts for Today
"You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them." Desmond Tutu

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
Jane Howard

"A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold."
Ogden Nash

UM #35 and #36 ... and an award

Make Time for Small Reflections

This is the 307th (and 308th) issue of ...

I'm participating for the 35th (and 36th) time today
because somehow last Sunday I didn't
get around to participating.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?
If you'd like to play (either and/or both) here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

#308 - I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Carpet :: magical
   
2. Bottoms :: tops
   
3. Music :: fills the air
   
4. Nails :: fingers & toes
   
5. Watch it! :: every Christmas - The Miracle on 34th Street
   
6. Your life :: matters
   
7. Candies :: Sees and Godiva for chocolates
   
8. Chafing :: dish for potlucks & buffets
   
9. Svelte :: how I look at 'goal' weight ;--)
   
10. Ding :: Dong, Ding, Dong ... Christmas bells are ringing
    

Your turn: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Carpet ::
2. Bottoms ::
3. Music ::
4. Nails ::
5. Watch it! ::
6. Your life ::
7. Candies ::
8. Chafing ::
9. Svelte ::
10. Ding ::

... and here's #307 from last week

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Travel :: s With Charlie by John Steinbeck
   
2. Expensive :: penny wise, pound foolish as in ..."If you think 'education' is expensive, consider the price of 'ignorance'..."
   
3. Backspace :: a 'pricey' store for women in the Bay Area
   
4. Traffic noise :: leads to freeway noise abatement programs
   
5. Now see here :: LOOK!
   
6. Vegetables :: steamed (my favorite)
   
7. Chat :: conversation
   
8. Your calling :: mission or purpose
   
9. Weekly :: blogging activities like Haiku Friday & Sky Watch
   
10. Oh! :: Dear, what can the matter be ... (childhood lyric set to music)
    

Your turn: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Travel ::
2. Expensive ::
3. Backspace ::
4. Traffic noise ::
5. Now see here ::
6. Vegetables ::
7. Chat ::
8. Your calling ::
9. Weekly ::
10. Oh! ::

Click for others muttering today
and last week too.

I've created this award because
finding comments when I log on does
'Make My Day' ... I know activities
of the season take our time, so these
comments left the last few weeks deserve
special recognition! It's reserved
for YOU who have commented in the
last three weeks. Feel free
to enjoy and pass the gift along
to those who create in you 'a song'

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks."
William Shakespeare

Camera Critters #35

Make Time for Small Reflections

This is my 35thMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here.

Click to 'embiggen' photo for better viewing.

Meet 'Bandit' ... 'kewl' kitty of a friend of mine.
Click for others participating in Camera Critters ...

Hot Updates from the North Pole
Santa has reached his pre-Christmas target weight! After undertaking a regimen of restricting fat and exercising daily, Santa has trimmed down to a 210 pounds – substantially less than his landing weight of 1,260 lbs last year. Nevertheless, Mrs. Claus has assured us that Santa still has a belly that shakes like a bowlful of jelly when he laughs.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back
If you missed them, click for ...

Haiku Friday #99 & a Quiz
Word Play
A Bit of Laughter
The Legend of the Candy Cane
A Christmas Award
'Tis a Puzzlement
Haiku Sky Watch Friday-Rain
Photo Hunt - Wide
Haiku Sky watch Friday-Rainy Daze

Thought for Today
"A cat can be trusted to purr when she is pleased, which is more than can be said for human beings." William Ralph Inge

Haiku Friday #99 - Lest you'd thought I'd forgotten

Make Time for Small Reflections

Almost 8 o'clock
ready to call it a night
but I leave this Quiz

for all visitors
who drop by while I'm asleep
dreaming of Christmas.

If you'd rather see
photographs that I've collaged
check my other blogs.

SacredRuminations & Happily Retired Gal
Click for others participating in Haiku Friday this week.

You Are a Ragdoll Cat

You are extremely cute and cuddly. You are downright adorable.

Your personality matches your exterior. You are very laid back and sweet.

You don't really like the outdoors. You prefer to stay inside where it's cozy.

Luckily, you are the perfect house guest. You are polite and obedient.

What Breed of Cat Are You?
If you decide to play
please leave a comment
or link so I can read your results.
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Hot Updates from the North Pole
Using more than 1.6 billion cups of sugar, Santa’s elves have created 5 billion candy canes this year, to be hung on Christmas trees and slid into stockings. Mrs. Claus has informed us that Santa’s favorite candy-cane flavor is root beer (but he prefers peppermint with his hot cocoa).

Thought for Today
"I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat." Edgar Allan Poe