Grateful List 1/13 -1/16

This week I am so grateful for the reminders that miracles do happen every day. They can be staggeringly large -- like the US Airways crash, dubbed by the Governor of NY as the Miracle in the Hudson -- or they can be small ones that might not mean much to other people. For me, one small miracle this week was having my lunch money budget stretched due to an unforeseen working lunch, paid for by my employer.

The other miraculous event was that I was able to avoid being involved in a “subway-rage” incident. During one morning commute, two large “ladies” were standing just inches from head. They had been caught up in the surge of passengers entering an already full subway car, when one allegedly pushed the other. A verbal battle ensued, with the “pusher” loudly objecting to being told to “CHILL OUT!” Words were exchanged for much of the short ride between stations, but ultimately they simmered down. They did not actually come to blows, but I surely would have been one of the injured innocent bystanders. When the temperatures get as cold as they did on Friday, the proclamation to “CHILL OUT” has different connotations to commuters.

Mostly I was grateful this week to learn that the action on my highly stressful legal action has been adjourned again until March. As it continues to wind its way through the now multi-year process, Auntie Nettie continues to ask for the prayers and best wishes of friends, family, colleagues, and strangers in the Blogosphere for the resolution of this matter -- one where she does not have to testify or end up paying in perpetuity. I’d be ever so appreciative for your appeals to the deit(ies) of your choice on my behalf.

Thank you.

Random Overheard Comments of the Day

"There's only one answer -- get rid of all the birds."

(Conversation was about the crash and how to make flying completely safe.)

I would think that the birdwatchers would call a "fowl" on this one.

Battlestar's Back!

Who's the Final Cylon?
What happened to Earth?
What happened to Starbuck?
What is the truth of the opera house?
Will Lee wear another towel?

What the frak is going on?

We'll find out all these answers and more, starting tonight at 10:00 p.m. when the final 10 episodes of Battlestar Galactica start airing on Scifi. I can't frakkin' wait.

Battlestar Galactica as covered today in The New York Times.

Battlestar Galactica website

Presents from Grandma

I got to hang out with the nieces and nephews a lot during the holiday break. Sometimes I even remembered to take pictures to share with the rest of the family. Here's a few:

Hey Amber, want to open some more Christmas presents?

These are from Grandma Mary!

Okay ... Let her rip!

Christina to Amber: Want to call Grandma Mary and say thank you?

'Kay! Let me dial her up on my new Princess cell phone.

Two of Amber's best friends: Monkey and George

Dancing with Monkey

Sisterly love:
Elle already covets what Amber has and wants in on the action.
Going for music player from SantaChilling with George

Gumdrop Trees

I know money doesn't grow on trees, but did you know gumdrops do?

My sister-in-law and her family, especially her Mom, are so crafty. They made a bunch of these lovelies for the holidays. I think it would look cute for Easter too.

All you need is a bucket, some ballast, burlap or fabric, ribbon or rafia, a twig, some paint, and some gumdrops.

Have fun keeping the kids from eating the gumdrops!

Programming Notes

Yesterday's post about Delurkers helped Auntie Nettie decide on some future programming ideas. Since responses were so underwhelming there will not be any giveaways of Mystery Items of the Week or other random items from the Attic, like Advanced Readers Copies of new books, etc. Sorry folks. If I hear from you later, this might change.

Delurking Day '09

Apparently Delurking Day* is happening here in the great Blogosphere, with dates ranging from last Saturday to Monday. Regardless, the idea behind the day is that readers of blogs are to stop lurking in the cyberworld and start leaving comments on the various blogs that they read. Feedback and new friends are supposed to be a good thing.

I have questions though:

Who comes up with these things and publicizes them to the blogging community? 'Cause, I missed the memos and e-mails.

Also, who designed the logo, because, I SERIOUSLY think I've seen that guy on the subway before!

And finally, do I have time to moderate the comments if and when you all start commenting again? That's really a rhetorical question at this point, since you, my readers are mostly lurkers.

I know people ARE reading this, as the counter tells me so (unless it's me segueing the results). If you do decide to delurk and comment, please say hi! politely, of course, keeping in mind my guidelines for comments (see my caveats below). Let me know what topics you'd like me to address in future posts, if you'd like to continue our lapsed Teaching Moments or Items of the Week, what goes on your Grateful List, etc.

Go ahead. Delurk, you lurkers, you.

*Thanks for the heads up Krippy!