Christmas traffic...ugggg!

 

We hit the road early Friday morning for Florida. It had been a month since I saw my parents and longer since I last visited with my sister.

Words of wisdom: Never travel to Florida after Christmas and Prior to New Years. I forgot about all the darn college football bowl games. OMG!!!!!  Every one and their mother was going to Florida this past Friday.
Three miles from 95 on 26 the back up began. We first thought it was a major wreck. But no! From there on to the SC/GA stateline traffic maybe moved 10mph. We should have been there around 2ish. It was after 3 when we finally got to our hotel. *Sigh*
Then we were off and running to first visit old friends, then we decided to stop in and surprise my parents. No real change-Mom is still bad. But she was happy to see us, and I can tell the grandkids being there cheered her up a bit.

Saturday, Senior dropped the kids and I back off with my parents and went to visit our buddy Stephen. While they hung out, I tried to do things for my parents around their house while the kids were driving my mother wonky with their remote controlled helicopters, so much so that she insisted we leave. She was becoming agitated and was ready to rest. So, Senior picked us up and the four of us took off to some of our old stomping grounds. One place was to go crazy buying fresh shrimp to bring home and boil.

That evening, we all met at my sisters for dinner and to have "Christmas" with my family. Mom was not feeling well and only stayed for a short time. I kissed her and hugged her and hoped it was not for the last time.

The boys made out like bandits with my sister-ND got two Star Wars Lego Sets, and NW got 2 models. plus gift cards for shopping. She is a good Auntie!

Sunday we left to head back home. Only we were smart and once we crossed in to SC we got off 95 and took an alternate route. No traffic except the occasional old lady driving her buick to church. It was a peaceful drive and actually turned out to be a really nice weekend.
You know its always good to get away, but there is no place like home and no bed like your own. And as for that shrimp...yea we threw down last night with low country boiled shrimp and grits...

-JUGM

Common Core Parody

I saw this on an anti-common core facebook page, and had to share it.  Common Core is a travesty , and is completely "dumping down" the kids of this country. Here in South Carolina the Govenor signed the bill to overturn it, however a new panel was chosen to re-write the curriculum only they have based it off the Common Core standards and just put lipstick on a pig..

I can relate to this mom, because I too have pulled out my hair trying to help my kids with their math homework...

it was a good Christmas

Why is it the holidays without a load of family end up being the best ones? Santa brought the boys remote controlled helicopters. It was no time before ND had his stuck up at the top of  50 foot tree. After Senior lobbed multiple footballs and arrows tied with string, it finally came loose.

Santa brought me this really cool pink camouflage pellet gun. Mainly to have fun shooting with the boys...

 ND had wanted these battleship targets since the summer, so he used alterior motives and got them for his dad as a present

It is a fun shooting game, but with little kids you better bring your patience because with the way they shoot it will take all day..lol

A nice Christmas topped off with some shooting is always a plus in my book.

Got all your wonderful Christmas wishes on my previous post..thank you all and we
hope your Holiday was just as blessed.

-JUGM

My most memorable Christmas

 

Growing up in a household that was 1/2 Italian and 1/2 heinz 57 made for some fun holidays. My mother was the Italian part..The cooking would commence the start of Christmas week, and last until the Eve. Food would abound in our house. Then there is the dishes all the relatives would bring in.

Christmas Eve dinner was purely Italian. Every pasta, sauce and dessert imaginable. It was the one time of year my parents let us kids sip red wine- a big thrill! 
The one Christmas I remember most was when I was 7. My grandmother had been diagnosed with Lung cancer and  was  given 3-6 months to live. I knew this would be my last with her.
She sat in a chair and I next to her on the floor while we opened presents. I held her hand and wished it would last forever. I burned everything from that Christmas in to my mind, never to forget it.

That next March she passed. After that, Mom stopped the Italian food and Christmas was never the same.

 So, Once Senior and I were married. I started the tradition up again with my own little family. I have cooked meatballs, fresh bread, boiled spaghetti noodles, and my special sauce. The house smells heavenly. Christmas Eve is a magical time. I love seeing the excitement on the little faces of our boys, and I am so thankful for the things we have and my family to celebrate this Christmas with.

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas !

-JUGM

origins of greetings...

I always find it fun to research the origin of things. So, with all the hub-bub-aloo with wishing people " Merry Christmas" vs "Happy Holidays" I decided to put my fingers to work on the ole computer and find out is saying "Happy Holidays" really all that taboo by Christians.

The word for Christmas in late Old English is Cristes Messe. The Cristes-messe referred directly to the specific date set aside for the Mass of Christ, a commemoration of the birth of Christ. The word became “Christ Mass” in Middle English and then “Christmas” in modern English. To wish someone “Merry Christ Mass” or “Christmas” was to wish them to be filled with joy on the singular day set aside to recognize the birth of Christ.

But, I bet a lot of people did not know that "happy holidays" comes from the old english "halidaeg" "Hali" meaning "holy" and "daeg" meaning "day" So, those days were meant to be kept holy and free from work or any labor. Therefore, then or now, to wish someone “Happy Holidays” is to wish them happiness from the first night of Advent through the Feast of the Epiphany, including Christmas. For me, I use to be one of those that despised being wished "happy holidays" but now, after thoroughly searching and learning its origins, I find it completely okay.

So, there you all have it. A short but sweet origin of both seasonal greetings. Whether you say one over the other..both are steeped in religious belief and my personal christian roots.
 I am sure it drives all  Non-believers, liberals and people who retain political correctness completely nuts to wish them one of these religious greetings.

So for all my wonderful blog followers... I wish you all :

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

-JUGM

wow!

NYPD officers send a powerful message to Mayor DeBlasio as he entered to hold a press conference on this afternoons execution of two officers.

RIP officers Ramos and Liu.....

from a galaxy far, far away

This is for all the " Star Wars" fans out there. One clever home owner in California did this fantastic light display. It was recently featured on ABC's " Christmas light fight"