** Are We In The Frozen Tundra? **

When it's this cold around here, I think of all the different phrases I've heard that refer to really cold temps!
One is the nickname of Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers: The Frozen Tundra.

Today and this evening, it's been extremely windy, which obviously makes it feel even colder. The wind practically slapped the breath out of me when I slid open the patio door slightly to let Tiger out. Also, the wind keeps whistling through that one window that won't entirely close. Hearing that mournful noise has the opposite effect on me than one might think. I immediately smile to myself and think of my brother, Mike. I can see and hear that line from an old WC Fields movie/short: "It ain't a fit night out for man nor beast". Mike loves WC Fields movies and used to imitate him quite well when we were teenagers. After thinking about that tonight, I looked it up and found the name of the movie/short that line came from. It's called "The Fatal Glass of Beer".

Mike and his wife, Alice, live in an even colder part of the country.....Northern Iowa!
If you're reading this, Mike, I'm thinking of you and smiling!

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark." -- George Carlin

** A New Dawn....A New Day....Tiny Lights **

Although I ended yesterday's message with "more info tomorrow"....I really don't want to write anything else about my headache! I'm so grateful that it's gone and hope to never have one like that again.....or at least for another 5 years!  I did have a wonderful birthday with phone calls, voice mails, e-mails, snail mail cards, texts, and actual "in person" wishes and gifts! I truly felt "special"!

Now, I have some writing news! I've mentioned Tiny Lights in several places the past few months and recently posted their logo on my blog. I'm thrilled to announce that I've been recently hired as a regularly featured columnist for Tiny Lights online and print magazine, as of this month! Please check out their site. It's  wonderful and the Editor-in-Chief, Susan Bono is a fantastic person!

Also, please don't forget their Essay Contest that is going on now! Big Money Prizes....small entry fee!

http://tiny-lights.com/contest.php


"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -- Les Brown

** It Was the Best of Times; It Was the Worst of Times....**

Today is my birthday!   ♪♫♪

It was the best of times because of family and friends. (See photo below)

It was the worst of times because I got the worst migraine headache in about 5 years.

More info tomorrow.........

photo taken by Becky

"I thought so hard, I got a headache." -- J.D. Cobb

** Things To Do When It's Freezing **

1)  Wish you had some womens' Long-Johns.
2)  Wear a pair of your husband's athletic pants over your slacks.
3)  Cut finger tips off an old pair of gloves, have semi-warm hands to type on your keyboard.
4)  Take a picture of the frost on the corners of the kitchen window.

5)  Throw fuzzy slippers into clothes-dryer for a couple of minutes before putting them on.

6)  Go renew driver's license, knowing there won't be a long line on a day like this. (while also not caring one bit how bad license photo will be!)

             Parts 1 through 5 are all indoor activities!

                                          photo taken by Becky 1/5/2010


"Scratch some ice from the windowpane.Tomorrow gonna do it all again." -- Fran Avni

Yesterday was a great day, even if it was another bitterly cold day. For one thing, the sun shone brightly and my car heater worked wonderfully as I drove to meet two writer friends for lunch. We met at a favorite place in old St. Charles, Magpie's, ate delicious homemade soups, salads and quiches. Then we shared a hot apple crepe, topped with vanilla ice cream, and the converation never lagged. We discussed serious topics, and laughed hysterically at others. We marveled at how alike we three are, yet obviously so unique to our own selves.
After lunch, I opened fabulous gifts.....because it's very near to my birthday!

What a wonderful time! I'm so grateful for my friends and wish every one of you could have joined us!
(photo courtesy of restaurant.com)


"Friendship isn't a big thing - it's a million little things." -- Author Unknown

** Need Help with Followers Photos **

For the past few days, my Followers photos have not been showing on my blog, nor are they on other blogs I look at. The word "followers" is there, but no photos....just a large blank area.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why this began to happen? I even removed that gadget and reinstalled it, but it was still the same. It's one of those little things that is really aggravating me! I hope there's someone reading this that knows the answer and can tell me how to fix it!! Thanks!

** Erma Bombeck Writing Contest **

Calling all Humor/Human Interest writers! The day we've all been waiting for arrives tomorrow, January 4th. That's the opening day to enter the contest named for the fabulous, uncomparable Erma Bombeck! Gosh, Erma you are sorely missed..... Entries will be accepted until January 31st, so don't hesitate....get those fingers flying!!

Find out all the pertinent info at this link: http://www.wclibrary.info/erma/index.asp

Photo courtesy of goodreads.com

"My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint." -- Erma Bombeck 

** Baby It's Cold Outside **

We're in the midst of an arctic freeze with high temps in the teens and lows in the single digits....with no warm-up in sight.....Brrrrr!!
Fortunately we have a fireplace and we use it, tonight included!
(photo taken last Sunday 12/27/09)

"Perhaps I am a bear, or some hibernating animal underneath, for the instinct to be half asleep all winter is so strong in me." -- Anne Morrow Lindbergh