Waking Mom and Dad Up

Every child dreams of getting up at the crack of dawn on Christmas morning, waking thier parents up, and then ripping open the presents! The 25 days before Christmas, the average child plots on how to wake their parents up, should it just be the simple "Mom, wake up" or should it be as compleax as making breakfast and bringing it up to them to wake them up!

Yesterday I topped every plan that a teenager could even plan on doing. Well on Christmas Eve, I stated that I wanted to open the presents up the second everyone was up, or when the first person was up! My mom said that it would be after eight, and I grumbled, but whatever. Dad then said "When you get up at 6:30, you can clean out the wood stove, start a fire in it, start the coffee, start the fire in the living room, and then start the bacon for breakfast. That should keep you busy until eight or nine." I grumbled again, what teen wants to do all of that? Being the nice daughter I am, and the fact that it was Christmas morning. I got up and started on the wood stove. I cleanned out the stove, and then I started the new one. Brought some wood in, and it was all good. I then started the coffee, that was easy, no big deal. Then came the building a fire in the living room. So I started on the fire in the living room, all was going well, and I was running ahead of schedule! It was only 7:45/8!! So I did everything, put the paper and cardboard under and around the wood, and light the paper. All of a sudden I noticed smoke coming, and I didn't think anything of it.

Well, not until the smoke alarm started blaring "WARNING SMOKE, WARNING SMOKE, EVACUATE, EVACUATE, WARNING SMOKE, EVACUATE" in my head I went "Oh crap! I forgot to open the flue" so I open the flue, the fire wasn't that big or that hot, so I quickly open the flue and started with all of the windows, then I realized that my parents are now up - - - Oops, there goes my plan of letting them sleep in. So Mom comes running down, the dog in tow (freaking out), and my father making his way slowly down. Well, we eventually got the whole fire alarm to stop blaring and waking the whole neighborhood up, and we started our Chrismtas morning!

Please note that this was not planned; Bro #1 stayed in his bed knowing that everything was alright; and Cathy, from the foster company we work with. said we had to test the smoke alarms, so I did it for her :)

All in all, that is the best way to wake your parents up on Christmas morning :)

Cae

The Reason for the Season

This is J with her full personality showing, she is always doing weird things :)

My choir director, J, from my old church has been battling Breast Cancer for a month or two. Well cancer has been taking it's toll on J, and tonight my friend AJ goes "We're (The Jr. Choir) going caroling at her house, because she couldn't make the Christmas Concert". Just reading that I was almost crying, I told him that I wished that I could be down there to be with them, but to take a video of it, and I want to see it.

This is them all, all of my old JR choir singing for J! Absolutely love them!

So I just got a text from AJ saying that Mr. G forgot the camera, and that J was so happy to hear them sing. I'm beyond a mess right now, but for AJ and the Jr. Choir to think to bring the concert to J, is amazing. It just shows what the real reason for this season is!

Merry Christmas

Cae

Christmas Hodgepodge

1. Share your Christmas Eve traditions.

Christmas Eve can be two different traditions. The oldest one is we go down to our Aunt N's and all of that side of the family is there, and we talk and eat and laugh. Then Santa Clause will show up and every kid will sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas and then Santa will give them one present.

One Christmas, Bro #1 was about 2 or 3 years old and it was his turn to sit on Santa's lap, and that year Santa was being played by either cousin Dan or Jayson, we don't remember which. Well when Santa asked Bro #1 what he wanted for Christmas Bro #1 responded "I want polar bear legos!!" Now my mother and grandmother exchanged looks, because they've never heard about this legos until tonight, and Santa goes "Okay, I'm sure you'll find that under your tree!" Mom had no clue on how to get these legos now! Well Grandma stopped on her way home and still couldn't find them, so to get around the dismantlement of Bro #1, Mom told him that Santa left it at the wrong house, and that he left it at grandma's - - - -That gave Mom & Grandma a good week to get this toy and wrap it for him.

2. What was the best book you read in 2010? (we're not going to include The Bible here)

I absolutely loved The Clearing by Heather Davis

3. Do you have pets and if so do you allow them on the furniture?

We have Max, the dog, and Bandit, the cat. Bandit rules the house, so he dose whatever pleases him, while Max well. We're bigger and better then him, so he needs to listen to us. We started out with not allowing Max on the couches and bed, but Mom decided to get soft and allowed him on, which really annoyed Dad because the rest of us didn't want Max on the couches, but lo and behold now two years with have Max, he sleeping in Bro #1's bed, and is always on the couch :/

4. What event from 2010 are you most thankful for?

Does getting a job count as an event? If, not I would be most thankful for summer camp this past summer! I made so many friends, and the counselors helped me become a better person, all in all I enjoyed my time there as a CIT1, and I'm planning on going back!

5. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before.

Ride a horse bareback. I had never ridden a horse bareback until I started volunteering at CNEER, and just a couple months ago was I finally able to ride Monty bareback :D

6. Brussel sprouts...friend or foe?

Firenoe - - - - Depends on how they're cooked. Sometimes I like them, other times I hate them!

7. Who would you nominate for man/woman of the year?

I'll get back to this question, because I really have no clue!!

8. It is not good to be so busy, that you forget about a simple hair cut!! That was my issue yesterday, I've been so busy with Christmas and getting everything ready and making sure all of my presents are in or coming in and are wrapped, that I got a message from my hair stylist A saying "Hey Cae, just wanted to let you know that you had a hair appointment at 3:15", A sent this at 3:18, if I had my laptop I could have biked down, but I didn't so I felt really bad when I completely forgot about! So now I'm trying to reschedule it today - - - Anyways, enjoy this music video by Straight No Chaser! Merry Christmas!

Cae

1st Grade Teacher :)

So last night I had a dream that involved my 1st & 2nd grade teacher and most of the other teachers that worked with me through my two years in elementary school. So this morning when I woke up, I decided to see if I could find her email through the school district and send her an email - - - Luckily I knew her last name, but for whatever reason I couldn't remember her first. So I searched the website to see if somewhere it was listed. About thirty minutes into it, I finally found a whole list and found my first grade teacher, we'll call her Mizz B ; ) Well I found Mizz B's email and decided to send her an email, let me tell you, I haven't seen or talked to her in at least 8 or 7 years. So I sent her a little email saying "Hi Mizz B, it's Cae, you had me in your firs and second grade class in 2000 (man am I old). I just wanted to see how you were doing, and have a merry Christmas!"

I waited all day for a response to this email, and I finally got it when I came home from work. Being in contact with Mizz B, made my whole day :) She was an amazing 1st & 2nd grade teacher, and she probably still is. I remember when Mizz B would play the guitar for the class, and she also told us a story about the Christmas Crow, which I still remember to this day.

I'm hoping that she'll find her way here, since I emailed her the link.

Merry Christmas,

Cae

The American Government - Homework Assaignment

There are three branches of the US Government. You have the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Judaical Branch. We have these three branches so that our government doesn't get too strong and powerful. The branches of the government use a check and balance system to make sure that each branch is doing everything right. Below I'm going to explain the different branches, who's in charge, and their power within the check and balance system.

The Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is the branch which holds the President, Vice President, and the President's Cabinate. The Executive Branch is in charge of enforcing the laws of America.

The president currently is Barak Obama, he was elected November 2008 and took office January 20th, 2009.

The Vice President is Joe Biden.

The cabinate of the President is the vice president and fifteen executive department heads.

These fifteen departments and heads are:

-Department of Defense, Secretary Robert M. Gates

-Department of Justice, Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr.

-Department of State, Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton

-Department of the Treasury, Secretary Timothy F. Geithner

-Department of the Interior, Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar

-Department of Agriculture, Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack

-Department of Commerce, Secretary Gary F. Locke

-Department of Labor, Secretary Hilda L. Solis

-Department of Health and Human Services, Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

-Department of Housing and Urban Development, Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan

-Department of Transportation, Secretary Ray LaHood

-Department of Energy, Secretary Steven Chu

-Department of Education, Secretary Arne Duncan

-Department of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Eric K. Shinseki

-Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Janet A. Napolitano

Checks and Balance of the Executive Branch

-Can veto laws

-Can call special sessions of Congress

-Can send messages to Congress

-Leader of his party

-Can nominate judges

-Can grant reprieves or pardons for Federal offenses

The Legislative Branch

The Legislative Branch is the branch that holds our House of Representatives and House of Senate. These two houses also make up Congress. The House of Representatives is controlled by the Speaker of the House, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader, while the Senate is controlled by the President of the Senate, Majority Leader, and Minority Leader.

The House of Representative

Speaker of the House is currently Nancy Pelosi, but since the House of Representatives is now controlled by the Republicans speculation thinks that John Boehner, currently the House Minority Leader, will become the Speaker of the House.

Majority Leader of the House is currently Steny Hoyer, but since the House is now controlled by the Republicans the new House Majority Leader is going to be Kirk Cox.

Minority Leader of the House is currently John Boehner, but the new House Minority Leader is speculated to be Nancy Pelosi.

The House of the Senate

President of the House is Vice President Joe Bieden

Majority Leader of the Senate was and will be Harry Reid.

Minority Leader of the House was and will be Mitch McConnell

Checks and Balance of the Legislative Branch

-Can override veto by two-thirds vote

-Can impeach officials

-Controls appropriations

-Can reorganize executive department

-Senate approves treaties

-Senate confirms appointments

-Can impeach judges

-Senate approves appointments

-Can increase or decrease number of judges

-Can regulate the jurisdiction of courts

The Judicial Branch

The Judical Branch is the branch that houses the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is the highest court in America, it is run by one cheif justice and eight associate justices. Justices are appointed by the president of the United States of America and then are voted in by the Senate. Justice Elena Kagan is the 112th justice.

Checks and Balances of the Judicial Branch

-Can interpret laws

-Can interpret treaties

-Can decide on constitutionality of laws

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, 2005 - present, appointed by George W. Bush

Justice Antonin Scalia, 1968 - present, appointed by Ronald Regan

Justice Anthony Kennedy, 1988 - present, appointed by Ronald Regan

Justice Clarence Thompson, 1991 - present, appointed by George H. W. Bush

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, 1993 - present, appointed by Bill Clinton

Justice Stephen Breyer, 1994 - present, appointed by Bill Clinton

Justice Samuel Alito, 2006 - present, appointed by George W. Bush

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, 2009 - present, appointed by Barack Obama

Justice Elena Kagan, 2010 - present, appointed by Barack Obama

Χριστούγεννα συνονθύλευμα (Christmas Hodgepodge)

Καλώς ήρθατε στην Τετάρτη αυτής της εβδομάδας συνονθύλευμα! Συγγνώμη για τηνελληνική, αλλά και να απολαύσουν τις απαντήσεις μου και να συνδεθούν σε αυτό Από την πλευρά της λίμνης και να πω ένα γεια σε Τζόις! Απολαύστε :)

English: Welcome to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge! Sorry for the greek, but enjoy my answers and link up at From This Side of the Pond and say hi to Joyce! Enjoy :)

1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'?

To have holiday spirit means that you decorate for the holidays, enjoy the time you spend with your friends and family, and also keep the reason for the season in mind. Holiday spirit may come in many forms, it may be just doing a dance when you realize that it's snowing for the first time, putting up your Christmas tree with your family and realizing that you'll only have a couple more years until your nest is empty, maybe it's having Christmas Eve at your place with friends and family all around, enjoying a nice Midnight Mass at your local church on Christmas Eve, Having a cooking swap with your daughter and your friends and enjoying the time spent, or maybe it's just having your immediate family under one roof and enjoying the Christmas season together.

Note: Man, would that be an awesome SAT essay, maybe I'll send the idea in, and possibly have an epic SAT score!!!!!

2. What sits atop your tree (s)? Why?

We have an angelic angel, which has been on the top of the tree since I could remember! Mom says the only reason that we have one on our tree is because she grew up with it on hers.

3. When was the last time you gave yourself a pat on the back?

A what? ;) What for? I tend not to give myself a pat on the back, mainly becasue it'll go to my head - - - Ha, the last time. Yesterday at work the internet wasn't working, so I had to call my boss because I didn't know how to fix it, so when she finally answered she told me it was in the "attic" (note: attic really means an unfinished crawl space with insulation and then the internet). So I got the ladder from the bathroom and lined it up to the little ceiling tile to push up. I looked at my heels and then looked at the ladder and how high I had to go on the ladder.

So I diteched the heels, and climbed the ladder bare foot. So I'm on the top step and I'm looking around the crawl space/attic thing and find the box thingy. I then look down, big mistake! I looked at the thing and realized that it was too dark to actually accomplish something, so I climbed down and put the tile back in place and everything on the ceiling, because I was just going to call my boss and go "S, I can't do it. When you get back form Worcester can you save me?" but I went out of the bathroom and realized I had a patron waiting, so I looked for a flashlight, which we don't own. I finally went back into the bathroom and said "I'm going to do this". So I got up and did it, I climbed up and pulled the first plug that I hit, because there was like 12 in the back of the thing! I hoped I pulled the power, and I did :) Then I had to put it back in, which involved seeing how much pull I had of the wires and getting some light to shine upon the back so I can put the power plug back into it. Eventually I accomplished it all and climbed down the ladder and put my epic shoes on, but after I called S to let her know 1. I did it and 2. I now know why P & C wouldn't do that, I gave myself a pat on the back, because that was pretty scary!!

4. Which of your senses is most sensitive this time of year?

I would have to say my sense of smell!

5. What do you have too much of in your kitchen?

Spices!! We have two full cabinets filled of spices, and now these aren't normal spices. No these are spices that we can only get in our old home town, why? Because my mom fell in love with these type of spices. Luckily I've found the same spices at a local store, well more local then CT, so Mom can still get her fill!

6. What do you do for meals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day? Big meal? Breakfast tradition? Open the cookie tins and have at it?

Christmas Eve we go to my Aunt's down in CT, but this year it's going to be at my cousin Dan's new house, so I can't wait. We always have an assortment of food, but there is always Aunt Judy's famous jello, Pumpkin Pie, deviled eggs :), beer bread (usually from Kristi or Nicole, I think), and I can't think of anything else that we always have!

Christmas Day we usually have a brunch at our place, last year it smelled so good that I felt like i was about to throw up, seriously this whole being a women thing isn't working out for me. Anyways, we always have eggs someway somehow, then there usually bacon or sausage, some fresh fruit :) and some bagels, maybe something else, but that depends on who's cooking and if Bro #1 wants to make something or if I want to make something.

7. What is the best thing about winter?

Snow! I love when it's snowing, it just makes everything that much prettier! Especially the first snowfall is amazing :)

I also love the many days spent in front of the fireplace with Christmas carols playing throughout the house, and if you add a nice book to that picture, it is that much better :)

8. Γράφοντας στην ελληνική γλώσσα είναι πολύ διασκεδαστικό, για τυχαία σκέψη σημερινή /σχόλιο Πάω να γράψω για Giles.

Βλέπετε, Giles είναι, ήταν η μασκότ της βιβλιοθήκης και απεβίωσε το Σαββατοκύριακο,όχι ευτυχώς για το ρολόι μου! Καλά Giles Ήταν ένα υπέροχο ψάρι, και ήταν μεγάλη εταιρεία. Αν και ποτέ δεν απάντησε όταν τον ρώτησα ερωτήσεις, πάντα με έκανε ναφαίνεται λογικό, γιατί ποτέ δεν μιλούσα στον εαυτό μου, πάντα μιλάμε για αυτόν! Καλά, υποθέτω ότι αυτό είναι κάτι περισσότερο από ένα αφιέρωμα στο Giles. Θα πρέπει να χάσετε στη βιβλιοθήκη και που κατέχει μια ξεχωριστή θέση στην καρδιά μου.

Ήσουν θαυμάσια στη βιβλιοθήκη Giles, ο καθένας θα χάσετε! Μπορείτε ζήσει μια μακράζωή και η φροντίδα από μια υπέροχη μητέρα! Πάντα ήταν μεγάλη για την εταιρεία καιέφερε χαρά και την ευτυχία στις ζωές όλων μας!

Θα πρέπει να χάσετε Giles!

English: Writing in Greek is much fun, for today's random thought/comment I'm going to write about Giles.

You see, Giles is, was the library's mascot and he passed away over the weekend, luckily not on my watch! Well Giles was a wonderful fish, and he was great company. Although he never responded when I asked him questions, he always made me seem sane, because I was never talking to myself, always talking to him! Well, I guess this is more of a tribute to Giles. He will be missed at the library and he holds a special place in my heart.

You were wonderful at the library Giles, everyone will miss you! You lived a long life and was cared for by a wonderful mother! You always were great for company and brought joy and happiness into everyone's lives!

You will be missed Giles!

Lots of Love,

Cae

Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian

Hello All!

You've guys have seen me and my family go through a move, become a foster family, me getting a job, loss of friends and family, friends getting married, and fundraising!

Well I've poised a new obsticle for me and for my family! My goal is to change my lifestyle and to loose some weight! Now I'll post how much I've lost in a week, starting this Sunday. My goal is to lose 50 - 60 pounds. To become healthier I'm also going to change my eating habits, I'm going to become an lacto-ovo vegetarian.

Lots of Love,

Cae