Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Trudging Does Get You Somewhere!

So everything's not put away yet.

I haven't gotten all my reports done. (But I'm close!)

It still looks dreary outside. A lot. 

But the flu is definitely on the wane. The Brick is playing Christmas music, andwhat's even stranger, mewing to it! (I need to point out that this is a fine old Brick tradition.)  He puts on Christmas movies regularly; Friday's selection was a Hallmark-type Snowed- Inn Christmas. This from a guy who used to be proud of being a grinch.
     The fridge has plenty of easy stuff to cook, and a full pot of green chili is simmering in the crockpot. Bills will be paid this month, easily. (I haven't felt that way for ages.) And once the reports are done, I can clean up more, and start decorating. Maybe even wrap some presents. 

Welcome, Christmas...I can feel it in my bones. You're starting to arrive.

A little silly...and they've got some weird idea that Aspen, one of Colorado's glitziest towns,
 is somehow homey and country. (Ha.) But fun, nonetheless.

P.S. Thankfully, the people we know in Alaska are okay, in spite of the earthquake. Our niece and nephew have a crack in their house wall -- but everything is still upright and fixable. Some people had it much worse.

Former president Bush is gone.  Reunited with his beloved Barbara.

Women and kids to the front... that's how you storm the Mexican/U.S. border.

What's really going on there? A border agent describes what he's been seeing at the Mexican border. (Yes, I could have posted more...but just got tired of it.)

The Irish lady who's convinced she's married to a ghost -- an 18th century pirate. Then there's the Japanese guy who just married a computer hologram. You just can't make these things up...

Writers who hated film adaptations of their work.  (From Cracked)

Handmade Christmas presents -- including something I've never heard about: knitted tribbles! (From Harvest Lane Cottage)

A framed 1774 newspaper is found at a New Jersey Goodwill.  Value? The appraiser is saying $18,000. (I'd actually bet it's more.)

Daredevils who lost their lives being... daredevils.

More money's coming through for Bernie Madoff victims.

A mom fakes her 21-year-old daughter's death and funeral... and is outed by the daughter. Why did she do it?

You may think this is just another glitzy look at some rich celebrity's house... but it really is an open declaration of love for a wife of 50+ years. Over and over. She says, "It's embarrassing, really," but clearly loves her Brit just as much.

Clever animals...and birds:

Ten unlikely people who ended up becoming royalty. Shades of Meghan Markle... (From Listverse)

Pontius Pilate's stamping ring may have been found. 

Ten strange things about moons...including the possibility that more than one moon orbits our Earth. Weird.  (From Listverse)

A huge batch of 'the customer is NOT always right' stories... passed on by the employees forced to wait on them.

Pine potpourri. Ever since Aunt Ethelyn gave me a pine needle-stuffed pillow, I've loved this stuff.  Now you can make it yourself.  (From One Hundred Dollars A Month)

A suitcase packed with more than a million dollars of cocaine came into JFK airport via a flight from Ecuador. No one's claimed it yet. Figures.
    Tell that to the model who got caught with a million dollars worth of heroin inside statues in her suitcase. (She says she didn't know a thing about it...)

Ten interesting Christmas traditions from the Victorian era. Including a very weird reason why some people hide a pickle on the Christmas tree...The Mama included.  (From Listverse)

Go to a guild show & tell... in your pajamas. Karen at the Sew Fun 2 Quilt blog gives you a peek.

'King Cotton' in Wartime:  a number of interesting illustrations here. (From Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts)

A bunch of funny holiday cartoons from Scott Metzger.

Hamster en wheel: sometimes I feel like this.

More if you find this funny:

One of the funniest (true) stories ever.

From the Department of 'Oops:' A light show in China, featuring more than 300 drones. Dozens fail, falling from the sky... better luck next time.

There are still good people out there -- 33 moments that prove it.

A Texas ATM spits out hundred-dollar bills, instead of twenties...and once the word spreads, plenty of people try to take advantage of it, incuding pushing, shoving and fights. (Yes, I put this directly after the video on purpose. Makes you wonder, doesn't it...)

The truth behind the Idaho 'Bigfoot' supposedly filmed by a drone. Yes, Gentle Readers, it was faked. Some fun videos on this link.

Five ways to make an artificial Christmas tree look more real. (Or at least more distinctive.)


Have a great week.