Merry Christmas!!!

Bear says Merry Christmas everyone!

Well folks, it's that time of year. The clock is winding down on Christmas 2006. The time has gone so fast this year. Casey and I are planning a quiet Christmas at home with our family (human and furred alike). I've been asked, as in previous years, to cook the annual Christmas breakfast of Sausage, Egg,and Cheese Casserole and my famous southern Cheese Grit Casserole. Christmas is the one time of year that you'll actually find ME in the kitchen!

SAUSAGE, EGG, AND CHEESE CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS 1 pound bulk pork sausage 6 eggs 2 cups milk 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground mustard 6 slices white bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS In a skillet, brown and crumble sausage; drain and set aside. In a large bowl, beat eggs; add milk, salt and mustard. Stir in bread cubes, cheese and sausage. Pour into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

SOUTHERN CHEESE GRIT CASSEROLE

1 C of quick grits uncooked 1 stick butter or margarine 1 tube Kraft garlic cheese 1 C milk 2 eggs 1/2 C grated parmasean cheese

Cook the grits according to package. When they're finished stir in butter and tube of garlic cheese until blended well. In a separate dish beat eggs and milk together. Stir into grit mixture. Pour into casserole dish and sprinkle parmesean cheese over top. Bake in a 350 degree oven from 50 mins. - 1 hour or until firm and cheese is brown on top. Serve and enjoy!!

We've have 10 days off from work to rest and get things done around the house. We've got an eye on a new bookcase to organize the many, many books that we have. We both still have a little shopping to do. We're in pretty good shape though, even though I still have EVERYTHING to wrap. Let the holiday fun begin!!

After today, I won't be around for a few days. I'm going to give the ol' blog a holiday too! I want to take the time to enjoy this time with family and friends. I'll check in later next week. So to everyone, a VERY Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you and your families from my house to yours.

I've Been Christmas Tagged!

Dog's Eye View Christmas tagged the Zoo. Here's the details:

*Players start by listing "3 things he/she would love to get for Christmas"

*Then they also have to list "3 things he/ she definitely does not want to get for Christmas"

*Then he/she tags 5 friends and list their names

*The ones who get tagged need to write on their blogs about their Christmas wishes, as well as state these rules clearly

*Then tag 5 more victims.

And the one who tags need to leave a comment that says "you've been Christmas tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

Here we go:

3 Things That I WANT/LOVE TO GET for Christmas:

1. Bespin Han Solo 12" figure by Sideshow Collectibles (yes, I LOVE my Star Wars collectibles).

2. Long Way Round DVD-3 Disc set (Documentary of Ewan McGregor's motorcycle ride around the world.)

3. A new Speedo swim bag.

3 Things I DO NOT WANT to get for Christmas

1. Any kind of kitchenware. (Casey's the cook at our house).

2. Anything that I really "NEED" or that's practical. I consider Christmas the time for frivilous things. I don't get that chance the rest of the year.

3. Any kind of candy. I want a gift that I can keep. Plus, candy makes you gain weight. I CERTAINLY don't want that.

I'm not going to tag anyone specific, since it's so close to Christmas. Feel free to participate. If you do, let me know!!

Help Find Sweetie

I got an e-mail from the Moore Family in my Humane Association inbox today. Sweetie is missing! Here's the information. Help us find Sweetie. If you have any information, please contact the Moore Family. Let's find Sweetie and help them have a Merry Christmas! Please visit findsweetie.com

Here's the information:

Our West Highland White Terrier (Westie) is still missing. We know she was picked up in an automobile on Waxwood Drive in Brentwood, TN. She could be anywhere by now. She was not spayed. This concerns us greatly because she could have been stolen and then bought by an unscrupulous puppy breeder. Hopefully, an unsuspecting family has her. We need your help. Please click on the link below to watch Sweetie's video. Please forward this link to everyone you think appropriate. The web site, www.findsweetie.com will be up in a few days. Thank you so much!

The Moore Family

Christmas Wish

My friend, Pennie, sent this lovely piece to me. It sums up one of my greatest Christmas wishes. I hope that someday it will be true. I want to share it with you all.

I wish,

For every dog

searching trash cans for breakfast,

a filled bowl with his name printed in bright letters.

For every dog

who slept fitfully last night, chained in a frozen yard,

a soft, warm bed

with a person snoring gently nearby.

For every shelter dog,

spending Christmas morning in a soiled run,

a forever home,

filled with sounds and smells of family.

For every "Christmas" puppy

given today,

a tolerant, caring owner

who won't abandon you

as you grow into a real dog.

For every ailing pet,

enough money for your owner

to pay the bills to make you well.

For every lost dog,

a clear, safe road, and well marked path,

to lead you home.

For every old and tired friend,

a warm fire, and a soft bed,

to ease your aches and pains.

and

For every Heart Dog at the Bridge,

a moment when you know that you

are remembered today,

missed again,

and loved forever.

Author unknown

Weekend of Wildness

Sorry for being MIA for the past several days. When Casey and I got home on Thursday, I noticed that Bear had some swelling around his rear end. The past couple of weeks have been somewhat nervewracking, where Bear is considered. He'd been chewing holes in his back leg for a while, which we were trying to heal. Also, we've been trying to get his arthritis meds adjusted. Anyway, he was not feeling well at all. So we decided that a vet visit first thing Friday morning that we'd take him to the vet. By 11:00 p.m. on Thursday night, his condition had gone from bad to worse. With all the problems he'd been having from the past several weeks, we were unsure what was wrong. The swelling was twice the size it was when I had first looked at it. Bear was whining and running up beside the furniture and the walls. It was also VERY angry looking. He'd also torn his back foot open again. We called our vet, who was out of town and suggested we take him to the emergency clinic. Long story short, he had an abscessed anal gland. Not life threatening but very uncomfortable for Bear. They fixed him up with a lancing and antibiotics. Tunrs out that's why he was chewing on his leg. He had a very rough weekend, but finally started to feel much better yesterday.

When they ran my debit card at the vet clinic, it ran through twice at the bank. Since this was a $200 bill, it was quite an ordeal to get fixed. Not only that, but it had all of my Christmas shopping money tied up!! The vet clinic's tape showed that it only went through once on their end, and it was a bank error. Well, you know banks. THEY are NEVER wrong. Of course, it was the vet clinic's fault. Anyway, I had to go back to the clinic. Their accountant had to call my bank. Then, she had to send a fax stating they would only be taking the money once. After all this was done, I called the bank back a couple hours later to see if everything was fixed. They said the fax was never sent (I know that it was, because I watched her send it). Anyway, we had to re-fax everything AGAIN!! Finally by last night, everything was fixed. I was exhausted. By far, NOT my best weekend ever.

I Love Christmas Lights!

I just LOVE Christmas lights!! Every year, I look forward to driving through the neighborhoods to see the Christmas Light displays. So I was just tickled last year, when this video hit the internet and t.v. stations.

This year, I've discovered an even better little video to share. The first was awesome, but this one ROCKS THE HOUSE!!!

I just wish I could see this one in person! I, however, would probably have a stroke if I saw their electic bill.

Very Tired

I'm finally back from all of the parade hoopla this weekend. I had meant to post an update yesterday, but it was a CRAZY day. Casey and I had an absolute blast this past weekend. The 501st Southern Outpost represents four different states: Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky. It was so nice to get to see all of our friends from the surrounding areas. Our Christmas party on Saturday night was so much fun!! Casey and I made off with a bunch of swag and enjoyed visiting with everyone. We marched Saturday in Gallatin and Sunday in Hendersonville. Both parades were great! The crowds were so much fun, and the kids were wonderful. Here's some shots that a couple of my friends took over the weekend.

Leading the troops Saturday in Gallatin.

Another shot from the Gallatin parade.

Group shot of participants in Gallatin.

Lining up to march in Hendersonville.

Group shot in Hendersonville.

Busy Weekend!

This weekend is the annual 501st Southern Outpost Tennessee parades weekend. Outpost members from four states all meet up at a central location to march in local Christmas parades and attend our annual Christmas party. This year, we are marching in the Gallatin, TN on Saturday and Hendersonville, TN parade on Sunday. So far, we have a group of around 80 costumers that will march together. Last year, this event was one of the first that Casey and I participated in, and it was an absolute blast. We are marching with a float and a couple of vehicles. It should be quite a spectacle. So if you are in the area and want to see a platoon of Imperial costumers, come on out. I'll have LOTS of pictures to share on Tuesday. Everyone have a great weekend!

Parade Weekend, 2005

First Snowfall

It's always so exciting, that very first snowfall of the season. I looked out my window about an hour ago to be very suprised to see a pretty steady fall of snow. I knew that flurries had been predicted, but I didn't expect to see this much falling. It's not sticking of course, but this will do nicely. It bolsters the Christmas spirit. I made some pictures with my cell phone, and I'm just waiting for them to transfer. If they turn out, I'll post them soon. There's a tune going through my head....."it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas..."

Owner or the Dog?

The Shelbyville City Council is toying with the idea of breed legislation. The question is whether or not to ban Pit Bulls within the Shelbyville, TN city limits. This legislation was discussed briefly a while back but tabled. It was brought back up after 2 recent dog attacks in the city (click HERE and HERE). The City Council meeting was packed last night with concerned citizens who suggested that the owners of vicious/dangerous dogs be the target and not breeds themselves. I feel that the citizens made valuable suggestions last night that should be considered. I personally believe that the idea of breed legislation is ridiculous until the basic animal welfare laws are addressed. If the ban on Pit Bulls in Shelbyville is a go, I just wonder who they will appoint to enforce this ban. I know that owners that breed these dogs to fight should be held accountable (which is just one concern). Fighting dogs is illegal in the first place. If they are already ignoring that basic law, then another on the books isn't going to make a difference. What do you all think?

So Cool!!!

I am so excited. Remember when I wrote about meeting Stephenie Meyer last week and her asking to have her picture made with me and Kim? Well I just visited her website for new updates today, and there in the latest update staring back at me was myself and Kim!! We made Stephenie Meyer's webpage!! Uber cool!! Click HERE and read under the Nashville update.

Changing Directions

All this past week, Casey has been sickety, sick, sick. When it first started out, we just thought it was a nasty sinus infection. Then the coughing started. The nasty repiratory infection has hit my household. I'm o.k., so far. I figure that he'll get all better, and I'll get sick just in time for Christmas! Anyway, the cough-snot bomb has prompted a change of plans for the weekend. Originally, we were supposed to head up to Clarksville to do a Toys For Tots event at the Toys R'Us. The Southern Outpost is there to help collect toys. Casey is feeling some better, but we figured it would be best if he wasn't out in the cold all day long. We certainly didn't want him coming down with pneumonia. So, we are just hangin out and taking it easy.

Since I'm close to home, I'm going to head out to the middle of town to see the local Christmas parade tonight. There's been very few years of my life that I've missed this parade. I'm looking forward to it. I'm sure that I'll be hanging out at Pope's Cafe before the parade having some yummy homemade hot chocolate. The parade always gets my Christmas spirit going. It just such a Christmas-y thing to do. I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Getting Spiffy for Christmas!

I thought it was time to get in the Christmas spirit. So, I've done what I can to give the Zoo a Christmas look. Hopefully Lindsey, who designed the Zoo for me, will make me even spiffier soon. I discovered a few days ago that my computer has the Paint program, so I've spent the last couple of days trying to figure it out and design a blog banner. I was finally successful. So here it is. The holiday version of Richardson Zoo. I hope that you all find it festive and like it.