Here are the two scenes which made Fay Wray and her amazing lungs famous:

Sadly, my daughter wasn't too impressed. I, however, think Fay Wray's screams are pretty amazing.

My dear husband who loves me wanted me to have new cookware for Christmas. He found a coupon for and good deal at Macy's (though we prefer JCPenney's) and purchased Macy's own line of cookware: Tools of the Trade Cookright.

The day after Christmas, we had the ceremonial disposal of the old cookware and I opened the new box. Inside I found a skillet (or frying pan for those North of the Mason Dixon line) which was stained orange. Oh dear! Never fear, my husband called the store, took the skillet away, and came home with a shiny new skillet.

So, I cooked, but to my dismay, my cookware changed colors.

Yes, I kept the stove on Low to Medium. Yes, I always keep food or liquid in the cookware while it's cooking.

I used three skillets and one pot and three out of four changed colors inside.

On New Year's Eve, we took the box back to the store, but while I boxed the cookware up, I noticed a thing that didn't belong: a Martha Stewart strainer!

Things were not as they should be at the store either. Instead of listening to our problem, George repeatedly told us to purchase a much more expensive cookware set. I think my husband would have done so, but I said it was not fair to have to spend more money just because the product doesn't work. We left with a new set of Cookright and a bad taste in our mouth.

At home, my husband emailed the company as they request on their receipts. We have had no response.

I hoped the new set would be better.

Alas, it was not.

This is after turkey bacon and scrambled eggs.

Again, my husband and I went to Macy's. This time we asked for a manager.The manager drummed his fingers on the counter while I told him of our past experiences. He then offered us one other brand as a replacement. However, the new set was not at all equal to what we were returning: fewer pieces, metal instead of glass lids, shorter diameter on each piece.

My husband and I are not difficult customers; we just wanted some cookware so we accepted the replacements. We were made to feel like we had no other options.

Of the whole experience, it was the customer service, not the cookware, which was so unbearable. I can't imagine why anyone would shop at a department store with worse customer service than Walmart. We certainly won't be going back.

In a poor economy, good deals and friendly service can increase a company's sales. It's a shame Macy's doesn't seem to understand that. 

I hope you all had a cheery Christmas. Here is the lovely tree we had this year. I can say it was lovely because it was designed and decorated by my daughter. She picked through our ornaments and found ones that fit her theme. She even has a theme picked out for next year's tree.

Here is the artist with her tree:

She begged to have her picture taken while she was in her favorite costume: real fatigues purchased from Goodwill. If your child loves dress-up, you should always visit thrift stores to find wonderful outfits.

Meanwhile, I think D did a great job playing interior decorator and I hesitate to put away my tree this year.

Long ago, I was invited to a Catholic church and all who remained after the Mass were to be anointed by a visiting priest. I stayed. As the elderly priest rubbed scented oil in the sign of the cross on my forehead, he asked what blessing I asked of God. I froze, unsure, but out of the depth of my heart I blurted, "Peace!"

Of course I was not asking for the sort of peace that tags along with quiet. Nor did I wish for the sort of peace that comes when swords are beaten into plowshares. Those are very nice kinds of peace, but what I desired was the Peace that floods your soul with comfort and soothes your distresses, the kind you hear "in the deep heart's core".

Innisfree, in Yeats' poem, is a heavenly retreat from "the roadway" or "the pavements gray" and just the hope of Innisfree gave Yeats peace, though he dwelt in a dark and dreary place.

We also have the hope of Innisfree to sustain us in our dark places. Our Lord of the Lake Isle is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and he offers to each of us comfort, serenity, and (best of all) salvation. No torment is so great, no despair so complete, that He cannot bring peace to our deep heart's core.

      For unto us a Child is born,
      Unto us a Son is given;
      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

This Christmas, and always, I wish you all Peace.

And a Merry Christmas to you!

How would you respond? With anger? With despair?

All this happened to naturalized American citizen Dong Yun Yoon and he responded with faith, patriotism, and compassion:

"Please pray for [the pilot] not to suffer from this accident," a distraught Dong Yun Yoon told reporters gathered near the site of Monday's crash of an F/A-18D jet in San Diego's University City community.

"He is one of our treasures for the country," Yoon said in accented English punctuated by long pauses while he tried to maintain his composure.

"I don't blame him. I don't have any hard feelings. I know he did everything he could," said Yoon.

We have a little custom at my house: when any family member leaves, everyone says, "I love you." Most of the time there are hugs, too. Many times there are also kisses.

It may seem silly to go to the trouble over and over, but it's comforting to know that, should the worst occur, one last opportunity to express our love was not lost.

It's a dangerous world and often the unimaginable happens. I'm sure Mr. Yoon never thought a jet would crash into his life and destroy everything he had or held dear. 

I only hope that if I am ever in Mr. Yoon's place (and Lord, I pray I'm not), that I react as nobly and honorably as he has.

God bless and keep you, Mr. Yoon.

Poor Alandis. A cap gun is a baby toy; my kids moved on to a Glock and an M4 long ago.

• The catechism behind the lyrics
• Info from Wikipedia
• Coloring sheets
• Snopes weighs in on the matter
• Music meets math
• Free quilt pattern
• Free worksheets from About.com
• Song's cost this Christmas

• If a delicate wine glass falls, don't try to catch it. You will only succeed in cutting three fingers when the glass breaks anyway.
• Always keep a first aid kit in your car.

My host had not one band-aid, but I was thankful that we keep two first aid kits in our car. I think bleeding over the feast would be deemed socially unacceptable.

Our kits came free from my husband's work, but I periodically restock them. A pencil box or small bag can be used for your own kit. IVillage has a long list of car first aid supplies; however, you can get by with a tube of Neosporin antibiotic ointment and a variety of band-aids. I do. Be sure to check expiration dates frequently, though, or you will be shocked in the midst of an emergency to find extremely out-of-date items.

Oh, another thing I learned on Thanksgiving is that the War Against Politeness is getting tough. My children are constantly chastised by family, friends, and strangers for saying "Yes, Sir" or "No, Sir". In fact, the only adults who have recently approved of my children's verbal manners are ex-military men. The world is upside-down indeed when adults chide children for being too polite. Thankfully, this additude was counter-balanced by a few older gentlemen who told me how well-behaved my children were. Unfortunately, I do not think they understood my wry humor when I replied straight-faced, "So, we don't have to flog them tonight?"

Maybe I also need a band-aid for my mouth?

By the way, is accidentally stabbing yourself with a pencil some sort of normal childhood event? Both H and I did it, but I wonder if we were just klutzy.

Thanksgiving Menu

I, however, take no responsibility if you are as gluttonous as Norman Rockwell's Pilgrim above.