PennyCat’s New Years Trivia Quiz

For you lonely bloggers who have nothing better to do than sit at home eat snacks, and drink libations here is my PennyCat Trivia Quiz:

1. What does Auld Lang Syne mean?

2. How much does New York’s Waterford crystal ball weigh?

3. In what state is a pine cone dropped on New Year’s eve?

4. What city is a countdown done with an elevator?

5. In the ancient Roman calendar when did the new year begin?

6. What year did they first drop the New Year’s Ball in New York’s Time Square?

7. Which ancient civilization was the first to celebrate the new year?

8. New Year is the oldest of all holidays. How long has it been observed

9. The ancients celebrated new year during what time of year?

10. Who is responsible for standardizing January 1 as the beginning of the year?

11. Which group originally condemned the celebration of the new year but later embraced it by infiltrating the holiday with their own customs?

12. In 1903 the Rose Bowl football game was replaced by another event as part of the Tournament of Roses festivities. What other event replaced football?

Good Bye 2008

Tonight we bid 2008 “So Long”.  For me it is a bitter sweet thing.  Let’s review my highlights and low points for the year.

First, I am thankful for cow valves. Yep, you read it right, cow valves.  Some cow is keeping Gramma alive and that makes me very happy.

Second, I am happy for “no kill” shelters. For without them I wouldn’t be here and Codybear and Pic might not be there.

Third, I am happy for change.  This year brought a new career choice for my HM.  This has been a positive thing for everyone, because “when Mama is happy, everyone is happy”.

Fourth, I am happy for my new cousin, Pickles.  I don’t know her, but she makes everyone smile and that is always good!

I am sad we lost Paul Newman to lung cancer, I loved him in “Cool Hand Luke”.  He raised millions for charity and the world is a better place because of him. 

Bernie Mac and Estelle Getty left us as well.  Two great actors/comedians who made me smile and rollover. 

Charlton Heston will be missed by many. He was a man of great character.   I loved him in “The Ten Commandments”.

George Carlton, who cracked me up as “The Hippy Dippy Weatherman” who forecasted “Tonight: Dark. Continued dark throughout most of the evening, with some widely scattered light towards morning.”  There are many others, but these were my favorites.

We will all remember high fuel prices, automakers threatening to close, retail stores and restaurants seeing less traffic, factories laying off workers and the general fear of the recession in 2008 and the economic roller coaster we were all on.

2008 taught me a lot of lessons too.  I learned that “big hands can be gentle.  Shaving your tummy is not so bad.  Eggs for breakfast are great.  Curling ribbon is not meant for eating.  Humans melt when you purr.  There is plenty of room for me in bed.  The human father is a “sucker” for green kitty eyes and there are a lot of wonderful people in blogland.

The Guest

The HM had a friend over.  She came carrying bags of stuff.  They giggled, ate and giggled some more.  She talked to me in a high squeaky voice, saying stupid foolish things like “here kitty, kitty.” (who answers to sh– like that?)  She tried to sit in my chair! Then they went out into the backyard and got into the large vat of boiling water…..humans sure are strange.   “Whatever, lady!  Just stay outta my chair and don’t try to make friends!”

There have been no more kitty gifts, so I guess this Christmas thing must be over.  The trees still remain, so I thought the gifts would keep coming.  Perhaps I need to help taking the trees down?  I certainly could help with the lower balls and the string of beads!

Today I discovered honeybaked ham!  Wow, that stuff is tasty, but boy do I need my water dish refilled!

The Post-Christmas Post

After months and months of being a “good kitty” it was disappointing not to find a “Select Comfort Kitty Bed” under my tree.  I did however, have a stocking full of goodies and a couple of gifts. 

 

 

 

My favorite “Greenies” for kitties (to keep my smile white)

 

 

 

Several cans of “Fancy Feast Select” (Egg and Tuna Souffle) my favorite, and a CASE of Fancy Feast Regular!

 

 

And a “Special” plastic bag that contained “Catch-Words” from my blog designed especially for me by GoodBear.  “Thanks Aunt GoodBear, I love you!”

 

 

“Now someone has to clean-up this mess!”

Oh Holy Night

Merry Christmas to all my blogging friends and family……It has been an honor and a privilege to get to know you.

Christmas has a special meaning to my family.  It brings up images of manger scenes, carolers,  festive decorated trees, great food, and lots of presents.  But for many people it is a difficult time.  Those happy images leave them dark and cold.  They have lost a job or a loved one.  They are alone feeling that no one cares.

Those people need to be shown love and need to be reminded that Christ came into a world filled with great conflict.  It was filled with political instability and emotional frustration.  For many then, as now, peace and hope seem conditional.  Many place their hope in promises made by man, and will be terribly disappointed.

The one core truth we need to rely on is that God sent his Son to us.  God is with us daily.  This single fact can save you from feelings of hopelessness and anxiety.  It is the key to our success and our happiness.

The awareness of His presence is all we need to comfort us and help us face our problems.  His presence in our lives will bring us hope and unwavering certainty.  This Christmas, whatever your circumstances may you feel the love and presence of God among you.  God is With Us!!  Oh Holy Night!

The 12 days of Catmas

On the first day of Catmas, my human gave to me, a hamste-e-er in a plastic ball

On the second day of Catmas, my human gave to me, two fuzzy mousies

On the third day of Catmas, my human gave to me, three shreds of cheese

On the fourth day of Catmas, my human gave to me, four munchy house plants

On the fifth day of Catmas, my human gave to me, five milk jug rings

On the sixth day of Catmas, my human gave to me, six plastic bags

On the seventh day of Catmas, my human gave to me, seven stolen Q-tips

On the eighth day of Catmas, my human gave to me, eight kitty blankets

On the ninth day of Catmas, my human gave to me, nine wads of Kleenex

On the tenth day of Catmas, my human gave to me, ten ornaments hanging

On the eleventh day of Catmas, my human gave to me, eleven Greenie Shrimp Treats

On the twelveth day of Catmas, my human gave to me, twelve cans of Fancy Feast

Here I come a Wassailing?

Here I come a whatssailing? 

The old traditional wassailing was a pagan ritual dating before Christmas was ever celebrated. Trolley the Wassail is celebrated on January 6th or Twelfth Night.  However, most people celebrate Wassailing on “Old Twelvey Night”, January 17th.

Wassailing has its roots in the middle ages as an exchange between Lords and Peasants as charitable giving.  The Lord of the Manor would give food and drink  to the Peasants in exchange for their blessing and goodwill.  As the song goes:

“Love and Joy come to you, And to you your wassail too; And God bless you and send you a Happy New Year.”

Hey, any thing that involves food, drink, blessings and goodwill is something I want to promote……So let’s go wassailing!

The gift giving thing?

In the true spirit of the holiday, I hacked up a wonderful extra large hairball this morning at 3:00 a.m. and yet I felt no appreciation for the endeavor.  I mean this thing was a monster, and I did it right on the bedroom floor.  There were murmurings; but I don’t think they were of the appreciative variety….

The gift giving thing puzzles me.  I know I am suppose to get gifts, I mean I am the pet in a “single pet/no kid” household, so I AM the center of attention.  I have asked for a five pound brick of mozzarella cheese and a Select Comfort bed of my own.  It seems these are practical gifts. 

The human father came home from his office Christmas party with the gift of balls!   Yes, all kinds of stupid little balls.  He was excited, perhaps thrilled is the word.  They have funny names like “Callaway”, “Ping” and “Nike” (who names balls?)  What kind of friend or co-worker gives a big guy “balls” for Christmas.   Although he seemed so pleased with this lame gift, I have yet to see him chase one down the hall or roll one under the refrigerator!  I haven’t seem the HM throw one and have him bring it back in his mouth either……So what the H—, is up with this?  Perhaps I should have gave him a ball the wasn’t soft and mushy and almost stuck to the bottom of his slipper?

The Storm has passed

The storm blew through leaving less than half of what those weather guys predicted.  Do they draw straws to get the forecast or what?  The HM slid to work early and the HD retrieved her with his four wheel drive truck.  This morning the sun is shinning brightly.  I will try to get the HM out to take some pictures, but she hates the cold.

My morning started with a “bang” literally.  The human Dad and I were playing our usual game of “bite monster” on the bed and I seem to have miscalculated my width and the edge of the bed…humf!  I lost my balance and despite the attempt of the HM to catch me…I fell flat on my kitty back…..D– It!  that hurt!!  I “fluffed up” and ran under the bed.  What a way to start your day!

The wrapping and boxing continues.  Today more boxes went to the post office and the HM made me a “Kitty Fort” out of some empty boxes and a blanket.  Purrrhaps this day won’t be so bad after all!

Batten down the Hatches!!!!

Take cover!!!  I mean that literally!  The forecasters in our area have warned us of a major storm heading our way.  They predict as much as 20 inches of snow, with high winds and “white out” conditions. This on top of the 13 million I have just loaned to the auto industry to save their sorry butts (excuse me) has put me in a fowl mood.

The HM has to work the afternoon/evening shift, so she will take her overnight bag with her and the HD (human Dad) and I will batten down the hatches at home and ride out the storm here (better check the kitty food supplies).

I am hoping that everyone makes it home safely.  The schools are all closed in preparation, and business in the area will also close early. 

HERE COMES WINTER!!!