A Christmas Poem...Ahem

Twas the night before Christmas,

when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring,
 Except for old Susie Q who was still wrapping but...

Okay! I will just sit here quietly...sorry!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

Good. He can help me finish all of the..okay! Okay!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds...

Um, so Dan was up working on his computer but hey...sssh. I know. Ssssh...

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.

Okay. What exactly IS a sugar plum? Have you ever eaten one 'cause I sure as heck have never had that odd pleasure.

And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,

Let's stop right here. This old Mama does NOT wear a kerchief and I guarantee you that Billy Boy is not wearing a cap to bed.

Glad we cleared THAT up.

Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

My brain NEVER settles...maybe that's why I don't get a good nights sleep but then...what? Okay, okay...

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Now THIS we all know is a falsehood. I haven't flown like a flash since...well...since...like never! More like, "I wearily hobbled to the window." Just keepin' it real here folks...

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

Tore? Me? I would never!

And our windows are so hard to open that  *I* would be the one who "threw up", not that proverbial sash!

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.

Ah...doesn't that sound just as pretty as pretty can be? Okay! I will try not to interrupt!

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer.

If it WAS mimiature, no way would these old eyes see it. I would hafta go back and try to find my glasses and then...okay! OKAY!

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

Coursers...I never liked that part. Why couldn't old Clement just say reindeer! He had to use some fancy pantsy words like coursers! REINDEER! They are reindeer dang it!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!

And not one mention of Rudolph. The guy looks a little different and poof. Clement leaves him straight out of the poem...

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all.

They could dash faster WITH Rudolph but Clement left the little guy out of HIS poem...guess he wasn't enough of a "courser"...alright. I'll be quiet.

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

Did I ever tell you about the hurricane I was in? Um...okay. Maybe later.

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

There we go again. "Coursers". Sheesh...they like to be called REINDEER!

With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

They better not do any damage up there. My insurance company won't like that one bit...well, I was just sayin'!

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

Here's another problem folks. We have a gas fireplace. There is no *real* chimney to speak of. So the jolly old man is gonna hafta come through the front door. I sure hope he wipes his feet.

Alright! I'll be quiet...

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

I have a REAL problem with this...unless it was *faux* fur. Was it? Well, why DON'T you know?

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

I KNEW he was gonna make a mess...I knew it!

A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

What? I didn't say a word!

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

Huh? Oh, I thought you were describing me? Go on...go!

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

Okay. Just a minute. One more issue...I do NOT allow smokin' in here...the old guy is gonna hafta leave that pipe outside. I don't care WHO he is!

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

Now I KNOW you are describing me! How rude!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

Is he jolly because he is plump and chubby? Isn't that a little degrading? I myself am a little chubby and plump (Which, by the way Clement, is a tad redundant) and I am not always jolly. Hmpf.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

Except for that pipe smoke and all that soot and dirt he brought in on his boots...sheesh...

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk

Stockings...okay, here is another complaint. Every year I ask Santa to put Brian Dennehy in MY stocking. For 31 years I have asked the old elf for the same thing. Has he ever come through? Excuses, excuses...Brian would not fit in my stocking, Brian wants to spend Christmas with his own family, Bill might not like it...excuses, excuses. What? Okay...go on. I will just sit here quietly...

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

Like I said, we have no real chimney. The old guy has to use the door! Gee whiz...how many times must I...what? Okay, okay..

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

I just wanna see this old, chubby, plump guy spring anywhere...

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

"'Ere" he driving those *coursers*?

Sheesh...they are REINDEER!

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Like he said...I have been asked to cease and desist all further chatter...

*whispering* Merry Christmas anyway!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q ~ who just may see how it

feels to sleep in a kerchief

Hey Mom...

...WHEN will Santa BE here?

*sigh* Even little kitties just can't wait...

A Silly Wish To All My Dear Friends...

Measure Twice And...

Huh? Who's hat? Has Santa been by already? Checking on Grace to see if she has been ever so good? Ohhh...he is measuring the fireplace surround to see if he can get Brian D. down the chimney! Good going Santa! Of course, since it is a Gas fireplace, getting down the non- existent chimney will be a feat in itself. But I digress... I just wanted to show off my Christmas cluttered mantel before Henry had a chance to destroy it. Hmm...it would seem that he has taken a liking to the objects on said mantel and is doing his best to bring each one, a little at a time, down to his level. Oh Henry...now. Where did I put that water pistol?

Out And About , Dan Fogelberg And Santa Says Howdy!

Hello dear blog friends! I have been just awful at blogging and visiting of late haven't I? Hey...OKAY! That *YES MA'AM* was a little LOUD don'tcha think? But I DID like the Ma'am part...Um...okay. So I will try to be better but I do have a good excuse. Um...um...okay, so I don't really but it IS The Christmas Season and it is a busy time and I have been out and about. And about and out and in and there and here and waaaaay over yonder. I know you all are staying busy too right? I hope you are also staying well and being good to yourselves. As Moms and wives and employees we are always giving and giving and doing and doing and our health often takes a back seat. Take some time just for you...YOU deserve it. We have been on the go of late. Bill's company Christmas party was last Friday and it was a great one. Now, you must understand I am used to military shindigs so this was quite the celebration! Good food and drink, wonderful door prizes and beautiful decorations! We had a fun table of folks and new friends and also were able to sit near our dear friends M & C. C also works for the company and has for a long time. Being with them is always a treat! We have been able to take time for dinners and lunches with so many special friends...T & J, T & R, T, PB...neighbors and family. It is warm times like this that makes a heart sing! Okay, so mine sings out of tune but it does sing! And while we are speaking about singing, let's talk about great singers. I am so sad that we have lost Dan Fogelberg. That man had such a warm butterscotch voice and the most exceptionally poetic lyrics. Pure magic...Longer is still one of the most romantic songs ever written. He was a superb musician, although a true balladeer, he was also a man who could rock with the best of them. Sail free Dan...prayers go out to his wife Jean. Dan died from advanced prostate cancer and it was announced that another of our favorites, Stephen Stills, is now fighting this disease as well. Please hound those men of your ladies...get your exams and blood work! We love you and need you here for a long time!

~One of Grace's recent art pieces~

Grace recently had one of her art pieces chosen to be displayed at our town's High School. The works were to depict the artist's plea for peace in our world. We are all heading out to see the exhibit tonight. Last evening was Santa time! We all headed over to The Greene to visit the jolly guy. And just like Mickey Dolenez and The Monkees, Grace IS a believer. Of course, *I* am one as well so we really enjoyed our time with big man. The Greene is a fun place during the holiday season....carriage rides, strolling carollers, a live Nativity, a beautiful tree and Santa himself. We did a little shopping at our favorite book store, Books and Co., had a peppermint cappuccino and some hot chocolate, sugar cookies and a talk with the man in the red suit. We did get the photos they took (which were wonderful by the way) but they also encouraged me to snap my own. I told Santa he would be up on ye olde blog today and he said to tell all of you "Howdy!" It is warmer today, sunny and mild. Grace had her school party at school today...nothing is more fun than 24 3rd graders hopped up on sugar cookies, excitement and candy canes unless it is 20 Kindergartners! Now THEY were a fun group! Whoa... I am making my way around the blog world, visiting each of you when I can. I really enjoyed seeing so many brightly decorated homes during Boomama's Holiday House Tour. I hope you were all able to visit a few! Do take care of yourselves and enjoy this season...blessing to all of you.

Love and Hugs, Susie Q