Monday, October 31, 2011

Tips for Trick or Treating Safe ...





For young children, Halloween night is one of the best evenings of the year. But trick-or-treating can be dangerous if kids and parents aren’t careful. Here's some trick-or-treating tips to consider before head out tonight ...






1. Plan a route in advance

Trick-or-treating could take you several streets away from your house, which can cause sore legs and a bit of frustration. Avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.

2. Wear comfy shoes
Make sure you and your children are in comfortable, well-fitting shoes. Girls in dresses should avoid heels, and all shoelaces should be double-tied to avoid tripping in the dark.

3. Stay well-lit
Apply reflective tape to your child’s costume to ensure they are seen by drivers on the road. Also, carry a flashlight with you to keep your child’s path lit at all times.

4. Make sure costumes are proper length
Long costumes that drag on the ground can be dangerous, especially at night. After purchasing your child’s costume, make sure it’s an appropriate length, and hem anything that’s too long to avoid tripping.

5. Avoid masks
Masks can make it difficult for your child to see or breathe. If possible, skip the mask altogether and use non-toxic make-up to complete the costume instead.

6. Use flexible props
Try to avoid costumes that have weapons as accessories. But if your child’s costume won’t be complete without a weapon, make sure it is rubber or plastic. Choose a prop that won’t cause injury to your child or their friends.

7. Check your child's candy
When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.

Most importantly, BE SAFE!  When in doubt, throw it out! 

Stop by the office and show us your kiddos!
Melody

Friday, October 28, 2011

My Dearest Kitty (Part Eight)













·
The new stain right next to the other one? I appreciate your artwork… Monet did not paint that many water lilies. So STOP TRYING TO OUT DO him! He was an artist, you just have some weird gag issue.
· Thank you ‘baby cat’ for actually warning of the ‘new present’ in the kitchen so I did not step in the furball your sister gave me. You made me stop just in time before several 4 letter metaphors were announced at 5AM.
· Oh… if you sleep on the edge of the bed? It is not my fault you fell and bounced. I suggest the couch or your own dang bed? Just because you are upset… I am not your scratching post! Please see carpet!
· We have talked about this… but the Big Cat Diaries on Animal Planet are getting old! Shadow and Halftail are awesome hunters. However, I can only watch the girls hunt and kill a pig so many times. I know you love ham but… REALLY?
· Okay a friend of mine brought me 54 half n halfs for your morning breakfast… you are now cut back to only 2 a day! My eyes are watering from that smell you create then make a funny face! I know this is cat humor… but SO NOT FUNNY! I get it you like smelly stuff… ummm, I do not… thanks in advance. I wonder if Beano makes a cat version…
· When the phone rings… please hit the Green Button unless it is a bill collector. Otherwise hit the red button, thanks in advance.
· Oh and things I place in a trash bag to take out later…. Is still my property and I do not want you gutting the bag looking for food! You are 26lbs… ya not staving.
· Okay… why is your new favorite show Bridezillas?
· Umm, Nerds are not a cat snackem… it is a candy treat for humans!
· I love your affinity for toilet water… but I provide you with filtered water daily. Please leave my toilet alone!
· Thanks for the ‘present’… I cleaned up your projectile cat specialty. I request less presents… thanks in advance!

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Winter again ... Really? Ugh!

So I told you I would follow up with you when the Farmers Almanac winter predictions came out and I regret to inform you that it was not what I was hoping for ...

While I realize it is not realistic to wish for NO SNOW, one can still dream. I was mortified when I began to read ... "Get Ready for a Wet, Wild Winter" is the title.

Here is a link so that you can read it for yourself.

http://www.farmersalmanac.com/weather/2011/08/29/2012-us-winter-forecast/

Sunday, October 2, 2011

My Dearest Kitty ... (Part Seven)


Dear Cat:

• I know you do not think it is funny but… Super Sticky Post-It’s on all 4 paws? Dang FUNNY! I snort in laughter. Duct tape works as well… but it will make me bleed in revenge later.

• Okay I get it you do not like the tail pulling due to the green fog… I will stop unless I have the fan turned on to aim it elsewhere…

• OK the vent/fan on the left side of my laptop is not a heating blanket… along with sleeping on the DVR.

• Umm… please note kitty, the carpet is part of the lease agreement! Please stop attacking it like an invisible mouse. Mouses (intended spelling) do not ride elevators up to the 5th floor! So please stop perfecting your skills as you are scared of the thing behind the front door called the hallway.

• Oh please put your toys back in the toy box… lately I wait for the cold/warm feeling (aka the present) when I step on something or the bite/claw and hiss.

• Also… hiding behind my 3 gargoyles… nose picker, butt picker and ear picker by my TV does not make you butt licker!

• Holding your paw over your nose and snort in laughter when I trip and spill bbq sauce all over the carpet? SO NOT FUNNY!

• Again… I need to remind you about the thing attached to your butt ‘aka your tail’ STOP TOUCHING ME WITH IT, it is driving me crazy. I know this is cat humor but, keep it up and I will duct tape it to your belly! You will be walking with a wedgie for days.

• Oh and once more please update your Outlook calendar… cat conferences are at 10:15AM and not 2:59AM. I am still unsure of why we have the ‘meow’ sessions… I know your complaint already… because it is MORE SNACKEMS.

• Okay we have discussed this… no matter how flat you lay in a 3 inch box? I can still see your ears and the tail. I realize you think the magical box is camouflage… but unless I close my eyes? I can still see you!

• Umm? You are like 26lbs. The only bag you will fit in is made by Hefty… please stop trying to hide in a shopping bag! When you hear the ripping of paper you know you are exceeding the wide load limit… kitty.

• Sorry in advance but the Animal Planet Channel is currently down for a few more days… and the Big Cat Diaries will be postponed. Blame Time Warner and not my carpet! I know you love watching the cheetahs, ut there is a mirror above the sink… just make strange faces at yourselves. hehe

:)

Your Fearless Leader

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Old Fashion Cocktail for an Old Fashion Lady


It is so difficult to find a bartender these days that can make this cocktail correctly but when you find one and the bar has the right ingredients – YUM! Sit back and relax but warning – it’s a sipper not a toss down drink but don’t sit too long either and let the ice weaken the purpose of this drink.

The following is a little Google search to explain better than I:

The Old-fashioned is a classic whiskey cocktail that has been served since around 1880 at the Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky and is (disputably) the first drink referred to as a cocktail.

It is the perfect ideal of what a cocktail should contain: a spirit, a sweet, a bitter, a sour and water. Typically, the Old-fashioned is made with bourbon. However you can experiment with other types of whiskey for an equally excellent drink. Have a light old-fashioned with Canadian whiskey or have one that's more sour with a Tennessee whiskey. Club soda is often used to top off this drink, but this is not a traditional method. (and I personally don’t recommend using anything to top it off). Why add something to dilute the effect?

Prep Time: 2 minutes
Yield: 1 Drink

Ingredients:

• A “good” label of Bourbon – 3 oz.
• 1 sugar cube
• 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 2 orange slices
• maraschino cherry for garnish

Preparation:

1. Place the sugar cube at the bottom of an old-fashioned glass.- that is a short fat glass with a sturdy bottom.
2. Saturate the cube with the bitters.
3. Add one orange slice.
4. Muddle these ingredients.
5. Fill the glass with ice cubes.
6. Add the bourbon.

Okay – I am off to the local Liquor store – hehe - it’s the weekend and I need to use up some sugar cubes – Right?

Joanne
The Old Fashioned Lady