My Funny Valentines

Began the morning with breakfast and She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Madame Razz mistakes Adora for the "Hero" Mara, the She-Ra of a thousand years ago, when she visits her to get some answers. Mara had come to Etheria to study magic for a secret weapon called the Heart of Etheria. To her horror, it involved draining magic from Etheria and storing it in the planet's core. She sacrificed herself to make sure it was never used by anyone, pushing Etheria into Despondos, She also encourages Adora to not listen to Light Hope, who was programmed by the First Ones to set off the Heart weapon, without thought of what it would do to the planet and its residents.

Moved on to Miles Ahead next while cutting paper in half for the kids and having lunch. I go further into this biography of temperamental jazz genius Miles Davis at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Miles Ahead

Called Uber just as the movie ended. I really had a hard time getting one at quarter after 12. They didn't show up for 19 minutes, and I was 6 minutes late. Couldn't get an Uber at 4:30, either. That one took 11 minutes to get there. At least there was no trouble with traffic or on the road either way.

Today was a half-day in the Collingswood School District. The kids are off tomorrow for a teacher's meeting. Since they won't be there tomorrow, the kids had their Valentine's Day parties today. I couldn't believe all the stuff they had in their white and pink and red bags. When I was their ages, we got paper Valentines with popular characters on them from everyone in the class and maybe cupcakes and some candy. In addition to the paper valentines, candy, and (for some of the younger ones) cupcakes, their bags were bursting with stamps, toys, tiny Slinkys, mini containers of slime, stickers, little plastic animal figurines, and plastic bead bracelets. 

After lunch, we settled some of the kids down with an art project. The head teacher (who thankfully was feeling better) handed around pages with a huge heart drawn on them. The pre-schoolers tore bits of pink tissue paper and glued those on the heart, along with metallic and die-cut bits of paper and colored feathers leftover from the turkey hand project at Thanksgiving. The older kids glued beads onto their hearts. Not all of the kids did the project, but those who did seemed to enjoy themselves well enough.

For the most part, the kids spent the rest of the afternoon playing with magnetic tiles, Duplos, or their new Valentine's toys. I brought Richard Scarry's Best Story Book Ever, Disney's Storybookland, and Strawberry Shortcake and the Winter That Would Not End with me to read. One of the littlest girls requested Snow White. A boy building with magnetic tiles asked for a Mickey Mouse story, so I went with the relatively short Mickey Mouse and Pluto Pup. They all got a kick out of making sure Hilda Hippo had the right alphabetic foods when we read Feed Hilda Hippo Her ABCs. Near the end of the day, I refereed a boy and a girl as they rolled a magnetic tile car into their towers to knock them over.

Honestly, for a four-hour day where we couldn't use the library (the teachers were meeting there), the kids weren't generally that bad. I did argue with one girl about using both sides of the paper when she drew. One of the other teachers brought some paper, too, and we didn't want to run out again. Two of the older boys roughhoused later and had to be separated (twice). One of the boys dumped his bag of loot everywhere and had to finally be admonished to clean it up when too many of the other kids wanted to play with his stuff. 

Oh, and we had a fire drill later in the day, when we were down to 15 kids all together. No one was really happy about that, least of all the kids. Though the sun was finally peeking out of the clouds by 3:30, it was colder than it has been, in the mid-30's, and still a bit breezy. Needless to say, the kids turned around and trooped back fast as they could after we counted them.

Three of the older kids even gave me Kit-Kats and a mini Rice Krispies Treat. I took a couple of the girls to the bathroom a few times and had good conversations with them. Danced as well as I could with another girl who could do some darn good gymnastic tricks while the music was on and the boys were wrestling. I read a story about the months of the year to her later. I'm so glad I took this job. I have 40 of the nicest Valentines anyone could ever wish for. 

When I got home, I went straight into making Strawberry Cupcakes for Valentine's Day. I thought they would be easier after my cake mix cookies spread too much last year. I added frosting in the middle, hoping for a Tastycake-cupcake cream filled effect. Alas, the cupcakes weren't firm enough. The frosting just seeped into the middle and made them very gooey. The crushed freeze-dried strawberries I used in the cupcakes and on top of them worked out much better.

Watched Match Game Syndicated after I had a shower and grabbed dinner. We're now on the week with comedienne Louise Sorrel, with Fred Grandy sitting in Charles' place. There were a couple of amusing matchmaking jokes when a single young lady and a single Hispanic man were contestants together. (Too bad the last episode of this week is currently unavailable, due to being on a tape with one of the Jimmie Walker weeks GSN hasn't shown yet.)

Finished the night with classic jazz music, starting with the soundtrack from Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown. "Heartburn Waltz," heard throughout the special, is the big one here. I also like the jangly "Paw Pet Overture" and the arrangement of Bach's "Minuet In G Major" as the "Music Box Dance." 

Ended with two of the most beloved albums by the real Miles Davis. Kind of Blue is from 1959 and Sketches of Spain from 1960, the height of Davis' original fame and artistic powers. Davis may not have appreciated the softer blues music on Kind of Blue later in his life, but "So What" and "Blues In Green" are among the most powerful songs he ever wrote. Sketches of Spain features genuine Spanish melodies like "Will 'o the Wisp," traditional Hispanic covers like "Saeta," and Gil Evans' "Solea." 

I've Got My Matches To Keep Me Warm

Began the morning with breakfast and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. "Mickey Saves Santa" when the jolly old man in red is stranded on Mistletoe Mountain and only Mickey and Donald can help him get off. Donald is upset that he loses his Christmas list before he can get it to Santa, and Mrs. Claus has to constantly admonish him to be nice, but there's a big surprise for him and the others at the Clubhouse when they do figure out how to help Santa.

Hurried off to work the moment the cartoon ended. The head bagger was actually sweeping and pushing carts instead of cashiering today, freeing me up to focus entirely on the carts and returning cold items. It did get busy later, but with the head bagger there, we didn't have much trouble keeping up with the carts. Nice weather helped here, too. It was chilly but not nearly as cold as it had been the past few days, windy and off-and on cloudy. I had no trouble whatsoever and was in and out quickly. 

Which was a very good thing, because today was the Acme's employee holiday buffet. My gingerbread bars couldn't have come out better. They were perfectly moist and spicy and just sweet enough. They were joined by home-made marshmallows dusted with powdered sugar that vanished quickly, an enormous pound cake, a fruit tray from the produce department, bagels, and huge donuts. I had a roast beef sandwich, and there were meatballs, tacos, hot dogs, and spicy sausage, too. Sides included real macaroni and cheese, baked beans, and pasta salad. 

Since I had planned on lingering at the Acme for lunch, I did my grocery shopping there. Mainly needed to restock apples, clementines, granola, soda, and yogurt. Got butter and eggs for cookies this week (and because eggs were on a good sale). Grabbed granola bars and found Welch's Berry fruit strips on clearance. Picked up sugar cookies from the bakery clearance racks. They had the Winter Spiced Cranberry Sprite Zero and Diet Coke With Lime, too.

Rode home after that. Changed when I got in and put everything away, then watched The Nutcracker on Tubi. I go further into this low-budget, direct-to-video 1995 retelling of The Nutcracker and the Mouse King at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Animation Celebration Saturday - The Nutcracker (1995)

There was a package waiting for me when I got home. I got my Swiss Colony box from Mom yesterday, with small cake torte sticks and little cheeses, sausages, and a container of cheese spread. My gift from Lauren was the full series of The Rockford Files, an old favorite of mine. I'll start in on it the week after Christmas.

Finished the night with a reprise of last week's Star Wheel Marathon. Match Game Productions was able to fix the glitches and edits that had plagued the original version. There's even more fun stuff here, from the very first episode featuring the Star Wheel where everyone, including Richard, walks off the stage when the Star Wheel lands on him to the first episode with the new set to the classic PM episode where Joyce Bulifant helps a gentleman all in blue figure out "Mill __" to win $20,000.

Check out more from the era where contestants could win big money in the improved version of this hilarious marathon!

Match Game Saturday Classics - Star Wheel "Special Moments" Replay (1978 - 1982) 

Oh, and I peered out the window about an hour ago...and yes, it is snowing. Not heavily, at least, not right now, but it is sticking to the streets. We'll see what it's like tomorrow. If there's a lot on the street by 12:30-1 PM, I might stay home. 

White Christmas Weekend

Began the morning with breakfast and Sheriff Callie's Wild West. Toby hopes to have "Toby's Christmas Critter" so he can ride with Callie and Peck. He thinks he's found the perfect critter when he runs across a "prickle pony" wandering around the canyons. She's really Santa's reindeer Comet, who leads Toby and his friends to the bandits who stole Santa's sleigh. It's "A Very Tricky Christmas" when Tricky Travis and Oswald the Bear steal the town's Christmas tree, but they bring it back when, like a certain Grinch, they see how happy the townspeople are whether they have a tree or not.

Switched to Netflix for Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. I go further into this animated remake of the 1970 live-action musical Scrooge at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Musicals On Streaming - Scrooge: A Christmas Carol

Hurried off to work after Scrooge ended. Today was the Acme's big employee party, and there was tons of food! Someone ordered sausage stromboli from Tu Se Bella's, and there were ham, prime rib, and chicken empanadas. Sides included macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, broccoli bacon salad, maple-glazed carrots, green salad, and green beans with bacon. My cookies were joined by bakery sugar and oatmeal cookies and real home-made marshmallows covered in powdered sugar. I had an empanada, a slice of stromboli, the broccoli bacon salad, maple-glazed carrots, a ton of cookies, and Diet Pepsi.

Work wasn't really much of a problem, either. It was harder to keep up with the carts during the first half of my shift, when it was busier and I was doing the sweeping and the carts. The afternoon bagger arrived at 2 to take over the sweeping and help me with the carts. I was in and out without a fuss.

At least it felt festive inside and out. It snowed here last night. There was only about an inch or two on the ground, just enough for it to feel like the first day of winter, and none of the streets or sidewalks. It was bitterly cold, though, and the frigid wind blew something fierce. 

Tried to make that candy when I got home...but the filling still hadn't solidified. Turns out it required baking chocolate or good chocolate bars. I didn't think it would matter if I used chocolate chips. It's all chocolate. Apparently, there is a difference. I had to throw it away. I think I'll drop making candy for a while and just stick to cookies at Christmas.

Spent the rest of the evening watching tonight's Match Game marathon after a shower. No less than four Match Game regulars have birthdays this month. Match Game Productions saluted the one closest to this weekend, Elaine Joyce. Perky, sexy blonde dancer Elaine pretty much ran the gamut as one of the premiere ingenues on the series, starting in 1973 and ending with an early week of The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour in 1983. She occasionally appeared with her dancer husband Bobby Van, including the one time she sat next to him in '73. She gave an answer to what Batman and Robin are that was so sexually charged, the episode is now banned from the airwaves.

In the later syndicated years, Gene would often call Elaine out to show off her fashionable and very early 80's collections of belted tunics and thick sweaters. She mellowed out once she had her daughter Taylor, and did it even more after Van died tragically of a brain tumor in 1981. Taylor turned up on the show twice during its last two seasons, once to let her mother show off her adorable Polish dance costume, again the next season hiding under her mother's desk from Great-Uncle Gene. 

Elaine may have had a reputation as a ditz, but she frequently won people money, especially in syndication. At least twice, she won people $10,000 on the Star Wheel. She could also be counted on for some creative answers, along with frequently feuding with Brett and Charles, who tended to talk over her and tease her.

Salute the blonde bombshell of game shows with this wacky birthday bash!

Match Game Saturday Classics - Elaine Joyce Birthday Celebration Party

Welcome Christmas

Began the morning with breakfast and two classic Christmas specials, the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Bernstein Bears' Christmas Tree. I go further into both at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Merry Christmas! - How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1966) & The Bernstein Bears' Christmas Tree 

Let it continue into Mole's Christmas after that. In this adaptation of a chapter from The Wind In the Willows, Mole is horrified when he realizes he's spent too much time at his friend Rat's home and neglected his own. He claims he has nothing to give his friend when they do find it, but Rat digs up enough odds and ends from Mole's cupboards to make a nice Christmas dinner. They find things to feed and give as gifts to adorable mice carolers, too.

Worked on writing for a while. Betty claims that the Sugar Plum Fairy and her cavalier tried to hold off the mice, but vanished while doing so. They need their magic to help them fend off the mice. 

Left for work a little bit early. No trouble with Uber either way. Got a ride to work in 4 minutes. I managed to find a ride home in 6 minutes, even at the tail end of rush hour. Little bit of traffic going home, but nothing really annoying.

I left early so I could drop off the cookies and enjoy a meal at the Acme's Employee Luncheon. One table held meatballs, hot roast beef, and hot dogs and sauerkraut for sandwiches. The next had salads, potato salad and macaroni salad and a greenish ambrosia. Desserts - my cookies, a cranberry cake, tiny cinnamon rolls, banana bread - were on the third table. I tried a little of everything but the ambrosia (I just didn't get to it), the potato salad (I prefer pasta salads), and the hot dogs (they give me heartburn). The banana bread was really good, moist and just sweet enough.

Wish the rest of the day was that much fun. I was outside pushing carts almost the entire afternoon. It was a noisy mess from start to finish. I rushed around fast as I could, and I still couldn't keep up with them. I'd no sooner fill one side than the other side would be empty. The tree lot was being taken down and blocking a lot of the back, too. I did have the morning bagger outside occasionally, but after he left at 4, I was alone. And once again, they kept calling me to sweep or return cold items, and I just couldn't get to the carts. At least I was able to get out at a decent time.

At least I got some appreciation. The floral manager was so happy with how I helped her these past few weeks, she gave me a box of chocolate-covered Oreos. I gave her a really nice card. I also got a compliment early in the day from an elderly customer who said she liked how cheerful I always am. 

Once I got home, I had a quick dinner while watching the 1969 Rankin-Bass Frosty the Snowman. Frosty is brought to life by a magic hat that was thrown away by the inept Professor Hinkle. He wants the hat back now that it seems to be really magical, but Frosty manages to elude him. When Frosty claims it's getting too warm for him, little Karen and Hocus Pocus the bunny take him to the North Pole...but the Professor is on their trail...

Switched to YouTube for tonight's game show marathon. MGP switched the focus to the original Richard Dawson Family Feud for all of the Christmas Eve and Day episodes made during his run (now that all of them have been found). Whether big hair or straight hair, sideburns or shellacked do's, a few elements remained the same throughout the show's run. They seemed to use the same questions on Christmas Day about the names of Santa's reindeer and what families do on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They used the same plastic decorations for almost the entire run, too. At one point I think in 1979, Richard played around with them and actually got stuck on a garland. In later seasons, some of the families would sing songs for Richard (and do rather well, too!) or bring him Christmas gifts. I really liked the weaving that joked about his "Kissing Bandit" nickname.

Call out your own family to play along and join the holiday Feud!

Family Feud  ABC - Richard Dawson Christmas Shows (1976-1984)  

Watched the Lawrence Welk 1966 Christmas episode earlier in the day. Finished the night with two more. Lawrence Welk and his musical family also did annual holiday extravaganzas. They always began with everyone singing while decorating the tree and freezing in place for a "Christmas card," and ended with the children of the cast receiving gifts from Santa Claus after introducing themselves. 

Bobby Burgess joined Barbara Boylen to do a "Doll Dance" as Raggedy Ann and Andy in 1966. He and Cissy King performed "The Skater's Waltz" without ice in 1976. He did a polka with Elaine Niverson in 1981. By far his cutest partner was his own sweet little daughter Becky, who danced "Up on the Housetop" with him in '81. She wasn't the only talented girl dancer on the show, either. Drummer Paul Humphery's daughter Pier did an adorable tap routine in 1976 and an incredible acrobatic number in 1981. 

Some of the adults had fun, too. Anacani really got into "Feliz Navidad" in 1976. Arthur Duncan showed how to "Ring Those Bells" in 1976. He joined all of the dancers for "December the 25th," with Jack Imel as Santa Claus directing his elves in 1966. Also in '66, Jo Ann Castle did a fun honky-tonk "Frosty the Snowman" on her icicle-covered piano. Carolers in old-fashioned costumes serenaded the audience in 1966 and 1981. Jimmy Roberts and Norma Zimmer did "White Christmas" together in 1966, and Norma did a lovely "Silent Night." 

Let Lawrence Welk and his family play for your family at your own holiday get-together!

Christmas Show (1966)

Christmas Show (1976)

Christmas Show (1981)

Lost and Found Matches

Started off the morning with breakfast and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. "Mickey's Comet" is close to the Clubhouse, but they can't find Professor Ludvig Von Drake. The Professor is the only one who knows how to work their telescope, so they all go after him.

Headed out even before the episode ended. The heat index was supposed to reach 100 today, with actual temperatures in the upper 90's. That's too hot for bike rides. I called Uber. The first drive arrived in less than 4 minutes, not bad for 8 in the morning. He did miss the turn-off to the Acme, but managed to get via a U-turn on the Black Horse Pike. 

The Acme's big Grand Re-Opening Celebration was...really boring. We were dead for most of the day. Besides the heat, it's almost the beginning of the month. If people aren't waiting to get their money, they're on vacation or hiding somewhere cool. Even rush hour wasn't bad. The only time we were even mildly busy was the very brief period when there were only two cashiers on. Otherwise, we had tons of help.

There was more going on elsewhere in the store. Nathan's Hog Dogs gave away frankfurters in the deli. One manager dropped two right in my hand. There was a ton of food in the employee's lounge, too. Someone brought in brownies, a pineapple angel food cake, and an apple cinnamon Bundt cake. Morning workers got a huge tray of assorted bagels with cream cheese, butter, coffee, and orange juice. Caterers brought pasta, meatballs, roast beef, rolls, and a Caesar salad later in the afternoon. We had so much food, they let the employees take leftovers home. 

Even with the "Grand Reopening" not going as badly as it could have, I'm still kicking myself hard. I got suspended for letting those counterfeit $100 dollar bills slip through. How could I have done that? Losing four days doesn't bother me. My hours were so lousy before this week, I probably wouldn't have gotten much more than that regardless of what happened. Not to mention, I could use the time to rest and regroup after all the trouble the last two weeks. I'm more angry that I let this happen. We're supposed to check every 100 and 50 dollar bill. I thought I did! I'm beyond furious with myself. And another bill looked iffy today, though a manager did check that. Now not only will no one ever respect me, but I could lose my job.

(And not only that, I work at 11:30 next Saturday. I may try to get up early and get to the Farm Market quick anyway.) 

I still picked up a few things after work. Had online rewards coupons for two free Acme generic Greek yogurts. Grabbed Dannon Light & Fit, too, along with coconut milk. There were no drinks in the employee lounge besides the orange juice and coffee from the morning (and the orange juice was long gone by 5), so I grabbed two bottles of Coke Zero and the Zero version of that Ultimate flavor for $2 each. 

Uber gave me fits, too. I called the guy at 5:20...and it took him over 12 minutes to show up, when the app originally said 8 at the most. I was going to cancel him, until I looked up where he was coming and realized he was probably stuck in heavy traffic. Ironically, he arrived not five minutes after that and was very pleasant. I directed him around Oaklyn's Final Friday block party and down Nicholson Road to the White Horse Pike. I just wanted to get home.

Went straight into writing when I finally got in. Papa Munchkin greets Joyce and thanks her for killing the Warlock of the East. To Joyce's horror, it turns out there's legs under the shed! She protests that she never meant to kill anyone, but Papa Munchkin claims he was about to do harm to them. 

Broke for dinner at quarter after 7. Watched Match Game '79 as I ate. Fred Grandy made his first appearances on the show in what would be the last week to air on CBS...and Gene still teased him about kissing him. Connie Stevens' wild perm also came in for some ribbing. Connie had far more luck helping with "__ Aces" in the next episode.

Switched to Buzzr for their Pick & Play. The Wally Bruner What's My Line? episodes continue. I didn't know Philadelphia had a jazz bagpiper, Rufus Harley, until I saw an episode of I've Got a Secret he appeared in that ran on Buzzr in February. He was darn good, too! The Mystery Guest here was Mel Torme. Rather amusingly, the Mystery Guest in the next episode was former Line panelist Bennett Cerf. Phyllis Newman guessed him right, but he stumped his old friend Arlene Francis. 

Finished the night at YouTube. Today and all next week, Game Show Network will be running episodes 1309 through 1317 of Match Game '78, which have been unseen since their debuts. Valerie Bertanelli refused to clear her appearances until last year...and the tape with her week also included the last two episodes of the week before it and the first of the week after it, plus their PM episodes. 

I started with the two episodes before them. In the first one, Gene puts in a request with Rubin Brothers for a new single-breasted suit, while Nipsey Russell admits there are some jokes even he's reluctant to pursue. I'm also a bit surprised that Gene hadn't heard of the obvious answer to "__ of Steel" in the Audience Match. Debralee Scott didn't do well with "__ Condition" in the next episode, either. (She still got a kiss from the contestant, though.) 

The new episode continued the madness. We're introduced to an older female trucker in the opening, leading to a couple of "mother trucker" gags. Betty White takes advantage of the appropriate music near the end of the the episode to attempt to strip, but Gene Rayburn gets her back in her seat before anything comes off. 

Super Shower Bowl

Got a late start this morning. I did manage to grab breakfast and do some reading before heading out. At least this morning, it was a decent day, chilly, cloudy, and windy, but not really out of line with the time of year.

Needless to say, we were mobbed when I got in, with lines down the aisles. And that was with most of the registers and all of the self-checkout lines open. Everyone probably got off work early for the Super Bowl and to get ready for Valentine's Day parties. Thankfully, once everyone got to their parties, it cleared out. By 3 PM, we were off-and-on steady, but nothing like it was before. They even had hot roast beef and provolone sandwiches in the back for us. It was so dead by 5:30, I was able to shut down and return a few cold items with no one the wiser. 

The Super Bowl wasn't the only reason the crowds thinned by dinner time. It started raining sometime later in the afternoon. Though the rain did lessen as I hurried home, it never quite stopped. I rushed inside damp, traded my lunch bag for the bag with the cookies and Valentine's cards and gifts for Rose's family, and rushed out. 

There were a lot more people at Rose's little party than I figured on. In addition to her husband Craig, his parents, and their kids Finley and Khai, Craig's brother, his girlfriend, and their four-month-old son were down from Maine. The baby boy was so little and cute! He's very alert for his age and spent most of the night looking around at everyone curiously. 

Rose had a huge spread out. I saw a vegetable tray and a fruit tray. Finley and I shared shrimp, and Mr. and Mrs. Wurster brought a huge tray of hot dogs wrapped in pretzels. Rose made popcorn with white and green candy coating, and there were bowls of potato chips and tortilla chips. Craig, who works at a fancy Italian restaurant in Haddon Heights, cooked up barbecue ribs and lasagna noodles with cheese for dinner. 

We had dessert during halftime. As R&B star Rhianna performed her greatest hits in flaming red on a floating platform, Rose brought Craig a chocolate fudge cherry cake from Desserts by Design. His birthday was last month, but apparently they hadn't gotten to the cake until now. His late birthday present was a box of chocolate-covered cherries the size of your average bedroom. That cake was very tasty - and very thick and fudgy! My strawberry-white chocolate chip cookies joined brownies and Rice Krispie Treats made in the shape of footballs. 

I spent most of the time on the couch, with Oreo the black and white mixed retriever cuddled up next to me. Apparently, he likes cuddling. He certainly kept me company. The game ended up being really, really good. The Eagles would get a touchdown, and the Chiefs would run right back and get another one. The Eagles were up 21-14 at halftime after I finally left.

I took a quick shower when I got in, then hurried upstairs to watch the Match Game Classics marathon (married couples were the theme tonight) and finish the game. It remained a nail-biter, with the two tied 38-35 by the last 5 minutes. Alas, the Chiefs kicked one last field goal to push them ahead and win 38-35.

Out to Holiday Lunch

Got a quick start today! I was so caught up reading Christmas After All, I had a hard time breaking away. Barely had time to change and grab a very quick breakfast before dashing off to work.

Probably just as well. The Acme had its employee luncheon in the lounge area today. They provided hot turkey and roast beef, three kinds of macaroni and cheese, a fruit tray, croissant sandwiches from the deli, and soft pretzels. Someone brought in pasta salad and tuna salad. My cookies were joined by thick chewy cookies and butter sandwich cookies from the bakery, a huge pound cake, a cheesecake, donuts, and bowls of mini candies. I had roast beef, two pretzels, the most orange-y mac and cheese, strawberries, watermelon,  and pineapple from the fruit tray, a small slice of pound cake, and two sugar cookies. 

Work started busy when I came in at 11. I accidentally pushed the button for cash instead of check for an older woman's order at one point and was so embarrassed! She was good about it, but I felt really bad. Thankfully, it slowed down around 2:30-3 PM as people headed to their holiday get-togethers or to watch the World Cup or football. My relief was right on time.

Good thing, as I had my own shopping to do. I don't want to be shopping on Christmas Eve next week, so I stocked up on apples and tangerines. Bought a kit for chocolate fudge I've used before, and evaporated milk and pans for peanut butter fudge. The Acme seems to be the only store that carries the brushes for my Spinbrush. Had a coupon for free Acme bakery cookies; grabbed the chocolate chip, since I'm giving all the ones I made away. Ben & Jerry's is on sale with a digital coupon. I'm a fan of their Cherry Garcia, so I thought I'd try Cherry Crumble. Picked up Special K blueberry bars on sale, along with Made Good granola bars with less sugar. 

After I got home, I watched Supermarket Sweep while putting everything away and getting organized. This was their big Tournament of Champions from I think the early 2000's. I must have hit the finale. We had two Big Sweep runs, with six different pairs running around in the hopes of earning enough to win two cars. Team 3, a pair of younger guys, were ahead after the first round. They were just barely beaten in the second by Team 1, another pair of college-age guys who ended up winning the big prize.

Worked on writing for a while. Debralee is not going to let the Nutcracker get knocked down. She tackles two mice who go after him and ask them what they're doing. They were ordered to attack by their Queen, who is retaliating for the trapping of her people.

Watched Match Game PM after dinner, then finished the night with A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish. I go further into this modern Yuletide fairy tale at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Family Fun Saturday - A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish

Adjustments

Actually, I started off my first morning in my new home with a very quick breakfast. Someone must have dumped out the whole wheat flour cannister before we left yesterday...which really gets me angry. That stuff is expensive. And I still can't find my lunch bag. I grabbed the lunch bag I used to carry snacks on the trains.  At least I still had cereal left.

Hurried out to work shortly after. Even with having to cross the White Horse Pike, I actually arrived five minutes early. Work was off-and-on steady, nothing terrible for a Sunday. It did pick up a little later in the afternoon during rush hour, but other than that, it wasn't bad. Sunny but gale-force windy weather and it being close to the beginning of the month were probably factors. 

Brittany appeared at my register just before my relief arrived. I ran out this morning and left my cell phone in my room. I had no idea Melissa invited me to her birthday party. I was too tired to say no. Besides, Melissa was a huge help with moving. I ended up riding my bike back to Hilcrest when Brittany couldn't fit it in her car. Jodie said I could put it in her garage. (She somehow managed to convince the realtor to let her stay until March 14th!) 

Melissa and Janice's small house was teeming with people when we arrived. Melissa is Italian and wanted Italian dishes for her birthday. We had yummy baked ziti, chicken Parmesan, sausage, and giant meatballs. I appreciate that Melissa thought of me and thinks so much of my writing, but I didn't know many of the people there and felt awkward. I had more fun playing Trouble with a neighbor and Brittany's kids Savannah and Ryan. (I won the first game, Ryan the second after he took my neighbor's spot.)

When I got home, I finally changed, set up the record player next to the TV, and went online. Watched Playmobil: The Movie to make up for missing last night's review. I go further into this action-packed tale of a sister and brother who are whisked into the world of the German toy line at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Animation Celebration Saturday - Playmobil: The Movie

Harvest for My Dad

Began a beautiful morning with breakfast and Hogan's Heroes. Hogan's saying "Don't Forget to Write" when Klink accidentally volunteers to join a major combat zone. It'll take all of Hogan's persuasive abilities to keep him right where he is, and make sure he and his men don't lose their pushover Kommendant.

Switched to Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood while making the bed and doing the dishes. "Good Morning, Daniel" and "Good Night, Daniel" show us Dan's routines for getting up and starting a new day and going to bed. In both cases, he'd rather be playing than sleeping or getting ready for school, but his parents make sure he remembers what he has to do. 

Headed out after the episode ended, waving to Jodie, Rose, and a few neighbors setting up for the party on the way. I wanted to at least get to the farm market today. I work too early to get there next week. They were busier than ever with people buying produce for their own barbecues and big summer get-togethers. Ducked around people long enough to buy peaches, a lavender striped eggplant, blackberries, blueberries, cherry tomatoes in many colors, red lettuce, and tiny purple plums. 

Rode there and back across Newton Lake Park. I couldn't believe how gorgeous it was. No wonder the park teemed with joggers, dog walkers, people out for strolls, and kids riding bikes. It was as perfect a day in late July as one could wish. Sunshine glittered on the bottle-green waters of the lake, warming but not smothering noses and shoulders. A soft breeze rippled across the lake, and there wasn't a hint of humidity.

Told Rose I'd watch Finley when I got in. She briefly helped me put away my finds while watching DC Super Hero Girls. Diana Prince steals the "#SirensConch" so she can sing in Jessica's charity talent show. She can't handle that there's something she isn't good at - she has a terrible voice. The shell does give her a wonderful voice, but it also attracts a species of cockroach Jessica's trying to protect. Diana uses her real voice to get rid of them and finally admits that there are things she's not good at...yet.

Put on the newest Muppet Babies episode after Finley left with her family to get dressed for the party.  Piggy and Summer hold a royal ball for all the kids. Gonzo wants to go as a princess, but the girls insist that he join the guys and be a knight. Rizzo the Fairy Rat-father helps him become "Gonzo-rella" in a beautiful gown and glass sneakers. Gonzo shows the kids that gender identity isn't set in stone and some traditions are made to be changed. Summer loves the wind-up car she and her grandfather made, until Gonzo arrives in his fancy pickle car. "Summer's Car Trouble" has her embarrassed to admit the car is hers, sending the kids off on a wild chase to find the owner.

Switched to Match Game as I dusted my bedroom, vacuumed, and tidied up around the apartment. Started on YouTube with my favorite PM episode, #17 from 1975. This is the one where Richard Dawson answered the "Admiral __" Audience Match with "Admiral Color Television" and Gene didn't believe it would be up there. There's some great sniping between Brett Somers and Betty White in this episode, too. 

As I finished the second episode (which was one I watched earlier in the week), I heard voices on the front lawn. Changed into a good skirt and my new sandals, grabbed my purse and keys, and headed outside. Tons of people in Army dress uniforms or colorful summer outfits milled around the lawn or the newly-laid driveway. I wandered around, saying "hi" to a few people, but mainly chatting with Reilly and Khai and eating shrimp, bruchetta, and skewers made with fresh basil, grape tomatoes, and tiny marinated mozzarella balls. 

The ceremony for Dad's "celebration of life" began around quarter after 2. Jodie and Rose set up white folding chairs and chairs from the porch in front of the steps earlier. A priest got a little too religious talking about Dad being in another place. I preferred hearing his long-time buddies from as far back as childhood reminisce about his time as Wildwood's youngest lifeguard in the 60's, or how he got Uncle Ken to help him sneak beer to his underage buddies earlier in the decade, or how he and his best friend drove-cross country in an old van during 1968, or him volunteering for scouting duty during Vietnam and earning a Bronze Star. Two Army soldiers even gave Khai a folded flag in honor of his grandfather. (I heard the poor kid say he was so nervous during that!)

I dashed to my apartment after they finished speaking. I couldn't help it. I held my American Girl doll Jess and cried and cried. I cried because the little girl in me wanted her daddies, and her daddies were gone. I miss my daddies. I wish I'd really known them. I just sat there and held her, crying onto her little soft shoulder. 

As soon as the ceremony ended, every kid there changed into bathing suits and jumped into the pool. I wasn't about to show off my body to people I didn't know, but I did eat my lunch out there. The adults had sautéed chicken in lemon sauce, ravioli in vodka sauce, pasta salad, green salad, green beans and almonds, sausage, rolls, and grilled vegetables. (Had a little of everything but the pasta salad - I don't like olives - and the sausage that gives me heartburn.) Someone set up a smaller spread for the kids in the pool area with chicken fingers, juice boxes, and fries. Reilly, Chloe, Mary, Savannah, and I enjoyed a "girl's lunch" and chatted over our meals. (And Chloe was right - those fries were perfect and really addictive!) 

Wandered among the guests for a little while after I ate, but talking to people proved to be difficult. I hadn't seen most of those people since I was a toddler in some cases. I barely remembered their names, much less their faces. Many of them wanted to see me, but I had no idea what to say to them. It was much easier when the desserts came out. I grabbed a mini cannoli, lemon square wedges, three cookies, and a mini carrot cupcake and ate those instead.

Fled to my apartment after I finished dessert. I just couldn't handle all the small talk anymore. Worked on writing instead. Bill (Daily) the White Rabbit brings around strawberry tarts. These are very special tarts, baked by the King of Hearts for the Queen with love. (Betty White couldn't bake in real-life.) They're only for royalty and guests. The Knave (producer and judge Ira Skutch) drools over them, while Sir Richard offers to protect them for Queen Betty so no one will get their hands on them.

Rose called me as I finished up for the day. She, Jodie, and the other neighborhood moms were cleaning up the food and deciding who got what. I was able to slide huge containers of grilled veggies, green beans, chicken in lemon sauce, ravioli, and all of the remaining green salad into my refrigerator. 

Finished the night with Dimples as I had a snack and got organized. I go further into this Shirley Temple melodrama set in pre-Civil War New York at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog. 

Family Fun Saturday - Dimples

A Beautiful Easter In the Neighborhood

Kicked off a cloudy morning with Easter and April Fool's Day stories from the early 60's Colliers Harvest of Holidays anthology book. The one April Fool's Day story involved two boys who chase a runaway giraffe around their backyard and eventually end up getting it leaves from a tree. The Easter short stories are some of my favorites in the entire book. "Nino's Easter" is a look at spring festivities in rural Italy through the eyes of one excited young boy. "The Country Bunny and the Gold Shoes" has a mother bunny being made an official Easter bunny and getting a very special assignment...and the magical footwear to carry it out.

Watched The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town while making tasty Lemon Confetti Pancakes for breakfast. I go further into this classic Rankin-Bass springtime special at this Musical Dreams Movie Reviews entry from 2019. 

The Easter Bunny Is Comin' to Town

Messed around online for a little while after I cleaned up, then packed up the bread in a bag and the bubbles for the kids in an Easter basket and headed out...and then headed out again when I realized I forgot the cards for Rose's birthday and to thank her for having me over. It was an absolutely glorious day for a walk. Tiny violets and sun-yellow dandelions peek among carpets of emerald green grass. Gardens are awash in ruffled daffodils and spicy-scented hyacinths. At quarter of 1, most people were probably in their backyards, starting lunch or setting up egg hunts for their kids, except the boisterous crowd enjoying the lovely weather at Tonewood Brewery on West Clinton.

Everyone else already arrived by then. Along with Rose, her husband Craig, and their three-year-old daughter Finley and almost eleven-year-old son Khai, Jodie and Craig's mother and father chatted under a small event tent in their backyard. Cider the puppy and Kelsey the elderly mini-pincher chased each other as Finley played with her Bluey dollhouse on a fuzzy tiger blanket. Platters of shrimp, cocktail sauce, and crabmeat and crackers, cheese, sausage, golden raisins, nuts, blackberries, and raspberries sat on the table. Rose said she'd slice up my bread to go with the dessert trays later.

After we all had our fill and the dogs were taken beyond the gate around the main yard and to the area bordering the steps to the back door, Rose declared it time for the egg hunt. I volunteered to hide the eggs. I helped Mom hide eggs for Anny and Keefe in the 80's and 90's. Rose came out to help too, but she said I did such a good job hiding them, there wasn't much for her to do!

When the kids came out with their plastic Easter buckets, they roamed around the yard. They did very well, with Khai mostly helping his sister find her share. Each of them found a gold egg that contained two five dollar bills. Four long, thin eggs were filled with Silly Putty. The others all had candy. The kids traded candy for what they liked while the rest of us finished up the appetizers.

Finley and I played on the blanket in the sun while Craig worked on the ham. Rose brought out Finley's Little People Elsa's castle and her bucket of Little People toys, including a train and a platoon of Disney princesses. Cider, however, just had to see what we were doing and wouldn't leave me alone. I scratched her belly, but she still tried to climb all over me and even use my arm for teething! I had to shove her off at least three times before Rose banished her to beyond the small gate.

For a while, the older adults chatted while I messed with my phone. Mom texted at this point, wishing me a Happy Easter. I did the same. Apparently, she opted to spend a quiet Easter at home alone. 

Dinner came out around 3:30. Rose and Craig opted for ham sliders with snowflake rolls from Shop-Rite and real spiral glazed ham. They had macaroni salad, spinach salad, roasted vegetables, and potato salad to go with it. I opted for a ham sandwich with spinach salad and roasted asparagus and yellow squash. I ate a lot off the appetizer trays and wanted to save room for dessert. 

Jodie left before the dessert trays came out, saying she wanted to visit her son Jesse and his wife Dana for a few hours. That left the rest of us to enjoy the bread, a pineapple and strawberry fruit tray, and a tray of mini-tarts and eclairs from Desserts by Design in Audubon. I had pineapple (I have plenty of strawberries at home), two tarts, and two slices of bread. (By the way, the bread came out perfectly, sweet and moist. I'll do that recipe again for Easter next year if I have the time.)

Strolled home minutes after I finished my treats. It was past 4:30, and I wanted to get some writing in. Went right on the computer when I got home. The other bandits take advantage of the remaining smoke from the explosion to duck out the door, but their leader's hand is bleeding too heavily. Gene arrests him while Bill comforts Patti Deustch the frightened bank teller and Richard and Gary go after the thieves.

Jodie knocked on the door to the main house as I worked. She's going away with her friends again for a few days and once again cleared out her fridge. This time, I got a complete steak dinner, including baked potato, in aluminum containers. 

Broke for a very quick dinner at 7. Watched The First Easter Rabbit while I drank a strawberry-banana smoothie. Stuffy the Bunny was once the favorite toy of a little girl named Glinda, until she came down with scarlet fever. Calliope the fairy rescued him from being burned by making him the Easter Bunny, symbol of spring for all children. With the help of three con-bunnies he meets in the woods, he tries to get back to Glinda and avoid Zero, who wants to make April Valley snowy all year round.

The Peanuts have their own holiday preparations going on in It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. Peppermint Patty tries to teach Marcie how to color eggs, but Marcie can't figure out that you have to boil them first. Charlie Brown takes Sally shopping for spring shoes, while Snoopy looks for a new birdhouse for Woodstock. Lucy just wants to color and find her own eggs. Don't bother with all the fuss, says Linus. The Easter Beagle does all that. Sally's skeptical after the no-show with the Great Pumpkin on Halloween, but Easter morning brings more than one surprise to the gang.

Finished out the night watching Easter Parade on TCM. I go into this classic 1948 confection with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland at the 2019 Easter entry for my Musical Dreams blog.

Happy Easter! - Easter Parade

An Armful of Sunshine

I stayed up late last night watching YouTube. Didn't get up until almost 10:30, and it was closer to noon when I finally rolled out of bed. I got up so late, Buzzr already started running Match Game. Had a very quick brunch and made my grocery list as I enjoyed the game. Orson Bean made a cameo in the beginning as he came onstage to admit he was there as a stand-in for Gary Burgoff, whose wife was about to have a baby.

Didn't get out until past 1:30. Made my first stop of the day at the Oaklyn Library. They're still in the midst of reorganizing their adult DVD and book titles. I did those, then took a brief look at the kid area. They were about a half-hour from closing when I arrived, and I saw no one but the librarian. I headed out ten minutes before closing.

I wanted to do my grocery shopping today because the Acme's had "dessert party" in the back room, with all kinds of sweet treats set out on two tables. Along with my donuts, I saw a pineapple upside-down cake, a moist pound cake, a banana pudding cake, mini-cheesecakes, brownies, a rum bundt cake, and a regular chocolate cake with vanilla icing. I tried the rum cake, a brownie, a few donuts, and slices of the rum cake and pineapple upside-down cake. The pineapple cake was by far the best of them, perfectly sweet and fruity, with huge cherries in the center. I believe the rum cake was made with real rum - I could taste the slight bite in the near-liquid topping.

Needed quite a bit today, mainly things I kept forgetting in the past few weeks. I have an online coupon for free eggs from the Acme's rewards program, as well as online coupons for yogurt, bananas, and milk. Found broccoli and cake mix on good sales. Picked up boxes of My T Fine pudding mixes from the clearance racks. Restocked canned mandarin oranges and pineapple, toilet paper, buttermilk, lemon and lime juice, parchment paper, turkey bacon, plastic bags for bread, and chocolate chips.

My schedule's not bad. Early days all week; Tuesday and next Saturday off. The head bagger went on vacation again. At the very least, I'll have the time to get a lot done after work, and Tuesday is the only day this week we're supposed to get rain.

Returned to Buzzr when I got home. Let's Make a Deal had Monty Hall giving out a Mexican vacation to a lady who wanted a Hawaiian vacation and a tropical holiday to a woman who wanted to go to Mexico. The first lady ended up being one of the big dealers of the day and got cash that would likely be enough to go anywhere she wanted. A couple dressed as vacationers in sun hats and kiddie floats got the big deal, a huge stereo and TV set and a gorgeous piano.

Continued into Classic Concentration as I got organized and rounded up the laundry. The audience got unusually rowdy today as a college student and an older woman from Brooklyn both got "Take" cards...and both claimed a beautiful grandfather clock that they claimed to want badly. In the end, the young man took it back, won all the other prizes, and got the puzzle right. He couldn't figure out the car bonus round as fast, though. Alex Trebek joined in the fun, cracking jokes about his ex-wife and getting unusually loose for him.

Headed to the laundromat even before Concentration ended. I really needed to wash work clothes and couldn't put it off. For once, I picked the right time. They weren't busy at all. However, I discovered to my dismay that they raised the prices on the cheap washers another 25 cents; they're now $2.75, just 25 cents less expensive than the big front-loading washers. I'm tempted to use those from now-on, no matter how much slower they are. It got so late by the time my load came out, I ended up rushing the dryer and not letting them go as long as I probably should have.

Listened to Billy Joel on my CD player as I put the clothes away when I got home, then switched to writing. Bill the wolf figures out what happened to Brett when he sniffs around the comb in her head. The comb has been dipped in poison. Charles gets it out right away and restores her to health, though she remains groggy and sick. Marcia and Richard demand that the old woman explain herself, but she's not exactly talking.

I finished so late, I didn't break for dinner until well past 7:30. Made turkey bacon, roasted potatoes, and scrambled eggs with spinach, cheese, and mushrooms while watching more Sailor Moon. The second half of the Super S (fourth) season arrived from Amazon yesterday. The first disc kicks off with "Destined Partners? Makoto's Innocence." Makoto is thrilled when a handsome, mysterious young man chooses to dance with her at a big college party. She's so smitten with him, she stays up all night waiting for him. That young man, however, is far from what he seems...and his wooing her is part of a Dead Moon Circus plot.

Fish Eye goes after Mamoru in "Shadow of Evil: The Trio's Last Chance." Fed up with their constant failures, Zirconia tells them what they really are...and that if they don't get Mamoru's dreams, she'll return them to what they were. Fish Eye desperately tries to woo Mamoru, but he adores his dream-filled Usagi. Puzzled, the Amazon ends up befriending Usagi and trying to find out why he and his guy buddies don't have beautiful dreams like hers.

Finished the night with Heidi's Song for free on Vudu. I go further into this lovely Hanna-Barbara animated musical from my childhood at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Animation Celebration Saturday - Heidi's Song

Wild Night In Miami

Began a gray morning with whole-wheat buttermilk pancakes for breakfast and the Broadway original cast of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoy some of the additional songs by Alan Menken and Tim Rice. "No Matter What" for Belle and Maurice, "Home" for Belle after she's been forced to stay at the Beast's castle, and "If I Can't Love Her" for the Beast are especially nice.

Work wasn't too bad when I got in, but it turned into an absolutely madhouse around noon. I kept ending up in a register for the first half of my shift. As it turns out, it may have been just as well. When I did finally make it outside, the street was wet, and it was humid. It would shower lightly on and off until shortly before I left. I went outside at the right time. At one point around 3:30, an ambulance and a paramedics van pulled up at the main entrance of the store. I have no idea what happened or whom they took away, and given how crazy it was inside, I'm not sure I want to know. It slowed down enough by then for me to round up the overflowing trash outside and sweep inside.

Rushed off as soon as I finished. Dad and Jodie held a small pre-Super Bowl family party at their house. They were just about finishing off the cheese fondue when I arrived. There was enough for me to enjoy chunks of beef, chicken, and bread, baby carrots, slices of peppers, small sliced potatoes, and broccoli and cauliflower florets. Jodie even let me take most of the leftovers home - I'll turn them into soup and stir-fry this week.

Joined Khai, Craig, and Finley in the den after I ate. Rose pulled out a huge plastic bin of tons of Beanie Babies that have belonged to Jessa since the 1990's. There's so many, Khai even buried his sister in them at one point. The kids seemed to be happier hiding under the plastic box. Finley just liked throwing them around. I watched a stirring "salute to America" on the Super Bowl pre-show and the NFL's listing of the 100 greatest players ever in honor of this being their 100th season.

Shortly before the game began, Jodie cleared the cheese fondue and brought out some of the most delicious melted milk chocolate I'd ever tasted. Evidently, a friend of hers who owns a winery has a daughter who runs a chocolate shop and gave it to her. Oh, yum! So perfectly sweet and rich. It tasted even better swirled around strawberries, pretzel sticks, sliced bananas and apples, and chunks of pineapple.

The chocolate finally brought Dana, Jessa, and Jessa's puppy Midnight in. Finley loves Midnight and chased the little black fluffball all over the kitchen. Finley grabbed Jessa's old stuffed snake and used it to play tug with Midnight, to both their amusement.

Unlike last year, the game was as good as the company. One team would score, then another would run back and score again. It was 10-10 at halftime, when I followed almost everyone else out the door. Thankfully, Fox does stream live online, and I was able to finish watching the game at home. And I'm glad I did! The 49ers pulled ahead after halftime 13-10, then got a touchdown shortly after, making it 20-10. That finally woke up the Chiefs. They really kicked it in the 4th quarter, including two close-call touchdowns. In the end, the Chiefs got one last touchdown that won them the game, 31-20.

And in the other major event of the day, Phil the Groundhog didn't see his shadow, and considering how warm we've been this winter, I'll believe that early spring prediction.

A Foggy Morning In Oaklyn Town

When I awoke this morning, I thought I was in San Francisco for a minute. A heavy white fog swallowed the backyard. I could barely see the trees. It mostly burned off by the time I rolled out of bed and had breakfast, but would remain cloudy and chilly for the rest of the day.

Ran Split Second as I ate. The champ on the first episode won four times in a row in previous episodes; five times, and he'd get the car outright. Two young woman put up more than a good fight and were neck-in-neck with him for the entire episode. In fact, he barely pulled ahead and won in the speed round. I have to agree with Monty Hall that it was likely the most exiting episode of the show I'd ever seen. The second one wasn't quite as exciting. The one lady dominated most of the show and went on to the bonus round, though she didn't get the car.

Watched Tiny Toon Adventures as I began making snickerdoodles. "The Acme Bowl" has the football squad from Acme Looniversity taking on the cheaters at Perfecto Prep. New quarterback Buster claims he has some great moves that could win them the game, but Plucky's defection to Perfecto may set them up for a fumble.

Switched to The Three Stooges while rolling the cookie dough in cinnamon sugar. "Three Little Pigskins" is one of their earliest shorts. Gangsters who want to place a bet on a big game mistake them for the trio of football stars they've convinced to go pro. Their girlfriends, including a sarcastic Lucille Ball, think they're the football players, but they don't know anything about the game.

Switched to shorts while pulling the cookies out of the oven. The Fleischer Brothers did two football shorts with Popeye in two years. "You Gotta Be a Football Hero" is the earlier one. Popeye's frustrated when Olive pays more attention to quarterback Bluto than to him and eventually ends up playing the whole game against Bluto's team himself. He tells Swee' Pea the story of how he became "The Football Toucher Downer" by consuming spinach in order to win a game.

Mickey Mouse is "Touchdown Mickey" in one of his black-and-white shorts. He may not exactly be your typical Patrick Mahomes material, but that doesn't stop him from making plays and showing off for Minnie and Clarabelle on the sidelines. An overly enthusiastic Goofy is an even less-likely Howard Cosell in the radio booth.

Watched a little bit of Match Game before finally heading out. The Oaklyn Library's been rearranging their DVDs again. The adult titles were shifted from shelves in the center of the main room to the ones on the side that used to hold books. I have no idea where they intend to put the books that were there, though. Did more in the kids' area, organizing DVDs and the picture books.

Part of the reason I wanted to do my grocery shopping today was to bring my cookies to the Acme's annual employee Chili Cook-Off. They always hold this the day before the Super Bowl. I had tasty peppers and sausage, the same baked ziti I ate at Christmas, macaroni salad, a hot turkey sandwich, spinach dip that was so rich, I ate it with a fork, brownies, and soft bakery peanut butter and oatmeal cookies. I also saw roast beef, the last of what had been macaroni and cheese, meatballs in sauce, a "zesty sausage and cheese" soup, Buffalo chicken dip, a yellow cake from the bakery with white icing, and an empty plate that looked like it held cheesecake.

I would have come to the store under any circumstances. I needed to get my schedule and do a little grocery shopping. Grabbed two boxes of Bigalow black tea off the discontinued shelves. Decided I'd try a brand of low-fat premium ice cream, Steve's, that also seems to be discontinued; went with their blackberry crumble. Tangerines were on sale, too. Restocked cranberries, bananas, vanilla, canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, butter, milk, cheese, and yogurt.

My schedule next week is an improvement over the past month or so. Same amount of hours, but I have Tuesday off along with Friday and Saturday and a later day on Sunday. Seems the head bagger wanted Monday off, but that's ok. I'll work longer hours if it means my days off are more spread out.

Got home, put everything away while watching Let's Make a Deal, then went into writing. At the end of the dinner, Bill the wolf proposes to Marcia. She tells him that she thinks he's very sweet, but she's in love with someone else - the man who wrote the letters. Bill's heartbroken, but the others encourage him to keep trying.

Broke for dinner at 6:30. Ate yogurt and cranberry sauce while watching two football-related Peanuts specials. It's Your First Kiss, Charlie Brown when he's tapped to escort Heather, the Little Red Haired Girl and Homecoming Queen, to the big homecoming dance and kiss her. He's a lot more interested in being her escort than in trying to keep Lucy from pulling the ball away from him during the big game.

Chuck and Linus are the ones in love in You're In the Super Bowl, Charlie Brown. They fall for a little girl named Melody who watches them practicing for the Punt and Pass Contest during their local football game. The prize is a bike and a trip to the Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Snoopy coaches his Woodstock Eagles past three teams of animals larger than them to victory.

Finished the night after a shower with Jack Frost. I go into more detail on this bittersweet Rankin-Bass Groundhog's Day fairy tale at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Happy Groundhog's Day! - Jack Frost

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Merry Christmas! I began a beautiful holiday morning with the Colliers Harvest of Holidays. They have at least five Christmas stories, more than for any other holidays. My favorites are "Flora McFlimsey's Christmas," about a little doll who manages to walk down to the tree on Christmas Eve, where the angel on top cleans her up for a little girl, and "A Star For Hansi," as a grandmother teaches her granddaughter about saving with a story on how she bought her little brother a star with her last saved coin.

Sun was streaming through the window overlooking the park as I crept to the tree. I always open the presents Linda Young gives me on Christmas morning. This year, my big gift was a beautiful warm woven wrap in red and blue plaid. The other larger gift was a cozy mystery novel set in an ice cream shop. The "stocking stuffer" was a new pair of gloves. I especially appreciated those! My cheap black gloves are stretched out and badly pulled.

Watched Match Game on Buzzr as I opened gifts. Betty White appeared with her husband Allen Ludden of the Password franchise on a week of episodes in 1976. In the first one, Allen got a look at this crew's usual shenanigans when his wife again rolled up Gene's pant legs while he talked to the upper desks. "Is this what goes on when I'm not here?" asked her amused husband. In the second, a question about their social life sent them both blushing and giving strange answers.

Strolled to Dad and Jodie's around quarter after 10 on foot. Everyone was already there when I arrived, including Jodie's son TJ and his fiance Eric and her other son Jesse and his wife Dana, along with Vanessa, Jessa, Joe, and Midnight, and Rose and her tribe. Along with leftover candy, ham, and macaroni salad from last night, Jodie and Dana set out Jodie's amazing French bread casserole, Dana's sausage bake, egg muffins, blueberry and plain English muffins, a plate of pineapple chunks and berries, real syrup, and orange juice. Dad had the Christmas Story marathon going in the background all morning, and someone found the Gatlingburg Festival of Lights Christmas Parade on WPHL 17. (Why a Philly station played a parade from Tennessee is way beyond me, but it was fun.)

We unwrapped the gifts around 11. I gave everyone their cookie boxes. Khai got a book on codes and Super Mario Maker 2. Finley got the most adorable play barn and her own stuffed "puppy" on a leash, so she could have a dog to lead around like Midnight and Nala. I got warm alpaca wool socks from Dad and a brand-new laptop and 50 dollars from Dad and Jodie. I'm typing on my new laptop now. It's a HP and is a lot smaller - and ten times faster - than my old Toshiba.

Everyone but Dad, Jodie, and the kids took part in the gift exchange. This time, everything but my cocoa mug was wrapped. We grabbed them based on size and shape alone. I was first; I took the only bag under the tree. Jessa wanted a box that included a pair of light-up chopsticks, but Dana snitched it. (She eventually kept what was in the box but gave Jessa the chopsticks.) The others kept switching around a package wrapped with brown paper and a thick rope. Jessa ended up with it; she got a cool slide music maker. I think Joe got the cocoa mug.

Everyone says I got the best present. Someone wants me to move into the 21st century. My present was a Google Nest thing that acts as an alarm and controls everything in the room. I'll figure it out tomorrow or later in the week.

Rose and her crew drove me home. Mom called while I worked on setting up my laptop. She absolutely loved the cookies I sent her. She's still trying to figure out her new, smaller stove. Her best gift, though, was getting to see Lilah when she had to deliver a package to Collyn and his dad Mike in Wildwood. Mom and Anny are still having problems, and Mom hasn't seen her grandchildren in ages...so a hug from her granddaughter was the best possible present she could have gotten.

Jessa didn't pick me up until nearly 1:15. We were about 20 minutes late to the mid-afternoon showing of Rise of Skywalker. We missed the commercials and probably about the first ten minutes or so, but we did see most of it. Or at least, I saw most of it. Poor Jessa is still wiped out from working early all week and slept through the majority of the film.

I'm not going to do the plot here because of spoilers, but...I loved it. Maybe not quite as much as The Last Jedi, but I did still enjoy it a lot. On one hand, I wish we'd seen more of Rose, that it had wrapped up some plots better (and I frankly liked the idea of Rey being a nobody more than her having a fancy linage)...but I also approved of many of the changes, and I like that in the end, Rey,  Finn, Poe, and Rose all opt to just stay friends instead of going for the obvious romance. Also, I mostly approve of how they ended Leia's story. It seems right.

In the end, I think all five of the Star Wars films released by Disney have gotten a bum rap. Fans and critics tend to just expect waaaaaayyyy too much from these movies. If' you're a Star Wars fan who enjoys the sequels or the franchise in general, I'd totally disregard the reviews and go check out the end of Rey's story.

Jessa and I drove over to her and Joe's condo in Deptford after the movie ended. Joe and his 14-year-old daughter Dannica and 11-year-old son Connor were playing the newest Just Dance when I arrived. I laughed and watched them and Jessa shake their booties to "Prince Ali" from the live-action Aladdin remake and a few other songs.

After the kids finished their game, they opened their presents from their father. Dannica seemed happiest with a new sketchbook from Jessa and a sequined pillow with Danny DiVito's face on it from her father. (I didn't ask about the latter.) Connor loved his box of practical jokes and goofy little toys and Mad Libs book.

While the kids opened their gifts, Joe showed me the tons and tons of offerings on Disney's new streaming service, Disney Plus. We watched two funny shorts featuring Sporky, the new "hand made" toy character from Toy Story 4, and the classic Mickey Mouse short "Lonesome Ghosts." Joe started Return of the Jedi while the kids were looking over their presents, but they lost interest around the time Yoda died, and everyone was hungry.

Truth be told, no one had any idea what we were going to do for dinner. The only place we could find open was WaWa...but the kids loved it. I got a double mocha chilled cappuccino and a cheeseburger quesadilla (ground steak with pickles, cheese, and onions on a crispy tortilla). Everyone else had soda, chips, popcorn, and hoagies.

We took them home and had Christmas dinner while watching Dannica's favorite movie The Greatest Showman and playing Mad Libs with Connor. It was a lovely and cozy couple of hours. The kids were happy, we all laughed, Midnight sniffed around our legs, and I was glad to be around people who were having fun and wanted nothing more than for me to write a goofy answer to a silly story and sing along to "This Is Me" and "Rewrite the Stars."

We headed out around 7:30-quarter of 8. The kids had to be home between 7:30 and 8. They live in a gated community; the opening gates glowed like blue and red lightsabers, and you had to type a code on a pad to get in. Joe took the kids up to their mother while Midnight, Jess and I waited. Jessa and Joe dropped me off ten minutes later.

This was one of the best Christmases I ever had...and the present I loved most of all was just spending time with everyone in the family, people who enjoyed my company and enjoyed being around me and each other. I had more fun today and yesterday than I've had in a long time. Here's hoping your holiday, no matter what you celebrate, was equally wonderful!

Sunny Holidays

Began an early morning with the last chapter of A Christmas Carol and two American Girl holiday tales. In Josefina's Surprise, Josefina and her sisters and aunt have to repair their late mother's alter cloth that was damaged in a flood. Their aunt lends them a thimble that belonged to their mother, allowing them to share happy memories of her...and giving Josefina the strength to take the part of Maria in the town's Las Posadas procession.

Samantha Parkington is having a less painful holiday in Samantha's Surprise. She's upset when her Uncle Gard brings his girlfriend Aunt Cornelia for Christmas at first - she couldn't decorate the house with her own things or go to a party she'd been looking forward to - but changes her mind when she realizes how much fun and strong-willed Cornelia is and why her uncle loves her.

Put on The Monkees while I had breakfast and quickly got ready for work. "The Christmas Show" is from the mid-second season, just as the series was starting to get a little wackier. The guys think they're playing for a big party, but they end up babysitting a socialite's spoiled and cynical nephew. They try everything they can think of to instill some Christmas spirit in the boy...until Mike Nesmith realizes what he really wants.

Headed straight to work after the episode ended. It was the least-painful Christmas Eve work session I'd ever had. I was outside almost the entire day, rounding up carts and gathering the outside trash and recycling. It was too nice to be inside, anyway. The weather was drop-dead gorgeous for mid-December - sunny, blue skies, no wind, lower 50's. Even when I did end up inside during the last hour, I was just bagging. No problems whatsoever. I even found a huge pile of pennies in one of the corrals; filled my change cup with it.

There was a package for me in the mailbox when I got in. I wasn't expecting anything. It was a gift from Mom. She sent me a box of petits fours from Swiss Colony, mini-cakes covered in chocolate and vanilla candy coating. Boy, did those bring me back. Mom regularly ordered petits fours and meat and cheese boxes from Swiss Colony for Christmas in the 90s, when I was a teenager. She stopped buying from them by the early 2000's after they got too expensive, but I still loved looking at their tempting catalogs. Yum! They're just as sweet and rich and moist as I remember.

Rested for a little while after I got home and changed. Watched Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas while reading books on the holidays. This is an anthology of three shorts featuring the regular Disney characters, two of which are based after beloved holiday short stories. "Donald Duck: Stuck On Christmas" is supposed to be based after "Christmas Every Day," but it really owes more to Groundhog Day. Huey, Dewey, and Louie have so much fun on Christmas Day, they wish for the holiday to be every day....and regret their decision when their day keeps repeating itself. Goofy does everything he can to prove to Max that Santa exists in "A Very Goofy Christmas." "Mickey and Minnie's Gift of the Magi" have the two mice giving up what means the most to them in order for them to buy gifts for their sweethearts.

Went back to sitcoms while getting ready to head over to Dad and Jodie's house. "A Christmas Story" from the second season of Perfect Strangers has Larry Appleton getting ready to take his cousin Balki Bartokomous home to Madison with him for the holidays...until a blizzard strands them in Chicago. Balki tries to make the best of things, but Larry's not interested...until his friend gives him a gift that reminds him of what the holidays are really all about.

Did a couple of quick shorts as I got organized. "Season's Greetinks" is Popeye's Christmas offering. Olive's present of skates puts her on thin ice when Bluto tries to join her. "Snow Foolin'" is one of the later Famous Studios Screen Songs sing-a-long videos. It's basically animals having fun in the snow, to the tune of "Jingle Bells."

Went over to Dad's around quarter after 4. Several of Jodie's relatives were already there when I arrived, including an adorable little girl named Summer. She spent most of the early part of the night watching a Frozen Lego video on her mother's phone and acting it out. I was really kind of bored until Mark and Joya, and then Jessa and her puppy Midnight, finally showed up around 6-6:30. Dad watched White Christmas on The Sundance Channel while Summer chased Midnight and I chatted with the adults.

Dinner wasn't anywhere near as big as it has been on previous Christmas Eves, but it was still really good. There was a huge ham along with spicy meatballs and sausage, along with macaroni salad, potato salad, and Caesar salad. Though Rose didn't stay, she did bring a cookie tray for dessert, and I brought the candy.

Went for a bike ride after I left. It was too nice not to! The weather remained fairly warm, even after night fell. Oaklyn is now awash in festive "exterior illumination," from a rainbow of lights wrapped around columns to green icicles "dripping" off a house that looked like Spanish moss. My favorite inflatable had a penguin, a husky dog, and a polar bear enjoying their slide down a vinyl "iceberg."

Took a shower after I got in, then ran 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, The Year Without a Santa Claus, Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey, and A Garfield Christmas Special. I go into further details on the first two at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas & The Year Without a Santa Claus

I think Jiminy Cricket said it best the other night. From all of us to all of you, Merry Christmas, and the very happiest of holiday seasons!

From All of Us to All Of You

Kicked off the first day of winter with a classic frosty Christmas tale, The Snowman. David Bowie introduces the Oscar-nominated tale of a little boy who makes a snowman on Christmas Eve, then befriends him, showing him all around his house. In turn, the snowman takes his human friend to his home in the North Pole, where all his snowpeople pals and Father Christmas are there to greet them.

Needless to say on the Saturday before Christmas, the Acme was packed for most of the afternoon. I had a hard time keeping up with the carts by myself in the morning. The head bagger spent most of her time inside or at a register. A college boy came in to help with the carts and outside trash and recycling later in the morning. It was too nice to be inside anyway. While it was sill chilly, in the upper 30's, it was also windless and mostly sunny, with a good clean snap in the air.

The Acme had its big employee luncheon today. That's why I wanted to get the cookies done by Saturday - so I could bring some to the luncheon. They were already setting up when I came in at 9. By the time of my break at noon, the back lounge area was packed. There was succulent roast beef, meatballs in sauce, macaroni and cheese, baked ziti, green bean casserole, plates of sandwiches on croissants and small rolls, a tray of soft pretzel bites, buffalo chicken dip, and macaroni, potato, and egg salads. Cherry cheesecake (which vanished quickly), a giant pound cake, brownie bites, and tiny yellow and red velvet cupcakes joined my cookies on the dessert table. I had a roast beef sandwich and a croissant sandwich, baked ziti, green bean casserole, and macaroni salad for lunch, with several brownie bites, two mini-cupcakes, and my own cherry coconut bars for dessert.

Mixed feelings on my schedule next week. I did make sure to ask for Christmas Day off after all the fuss over Thanksgiving, and I'm also off on Friday (my last personal day) and Saturday. I work very early almost the entire week, including through Christmas Eve. (The head bagger who usually works early went on vacation this week.) On one hand, this means I'll be able to finish the last things I need to do, the bread and candy, and I should have plenty of time to get ready for Dad and Jodie's Christmas Eve party...but it also means I'll be tired while doing it.

Had a lot of shopping to do this week. Needed orange juice and cranberries for cranberry bread, marshmallow fluff for the fudge, and condensed milk for the truffles. I'm finally down to the last of the farm market vegetables from last month; bought carrots and frozen peas and green beans with almonds, along with pears for lunch this week. Found a slightly dented can of beef vegetable soup on the clearance rack.Grabbed shredded cheese, sauce, crust, and pepperoni to make pizza for Christmas dinner, since that worked out really well last year. Restocked white, brown, and powdered sugar, skim milk, peanut butter (good sale, and I had an online coupon), shampoo, cake mix, and an onion.

Put on Buzzr while I put everything away and watched an episode and a half of Classic Concentration, then changed and did a little bit of writing. As the group dashes to the entrance to the castle, Nipsey  points out someone swimming the moat. He and Richard goes to rescue them. As it turns out, that "someone" is a sturdy, sensible woman who can swim just fine and doesn't need the rescuing, thank you.

Broke for dinner at quarter of 7. Had a really quick meal of yogurt, a peanut butter and jam wrap, and oranges before starting in on the cranberry bread. I always make the McHughs next door a loaf of cranberry bread for Christmas, to thank them for their help during the year and to be neighborly.

Did Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol while working on the bread. I go into more detail on this classic version of the famous Dickens story at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

Finished the night with A Disney Channel Christmas. My family dubbed this rare holiday showcase in December 1988, and I've watched it almost every Christmas since. In this blending of the older specials Jiminy Cricket's Christmas and A Disney Christmas Gift, Jiminy introduces shorts and segments from movies that are either related to Christmas, or at least involve winter or gift-giving. Favorite shorts include the Goofy classic "The Art of Skiing," the hilarious "Donald's Snow Fight," the festive "Pluto's Christmas Tree," and one of my favorite black-and-white Disney cartoons, "Mickey's Good Deed." Among the segments from films are the "You Can Fly" number from Peter Pan, the mice making Cinderella a ball gown, Bambi and Thumper's attempt to skate, and Snow White and the dwarfs having fun to the tune of "The Silly Song."

Incidentally the McHughs' cranberry bread is now wrapped and bagged and ready for giving. That leaves the candy for Dad and Jodie's Christmas Eve party and the pumpkin bread for Christmas Day brunch.

The Eagles Outrun the Redskins

I awoke to a gorgeous, warm, sunny morning. Kept breakfast simple with buttermilk whole wheat pancakes and a nectarine, which came out beautifully. Listened to the original cast album of How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying while I ate. As much as I love the movie, the original is just as much fun. Three of my favorite songs didn't make it into the film - the hilarious panic attack set to music "Coffee Break," the secretaries' lament when they all wear the same "Paris Original" to the party, and the spoof ballad "Love From a Heart of Gold" for Biggley and Hedy LaMarr.

Dusted the living room after breakfast. I wanted to get all the cleaning done before I went on vacation. It wasn't really that bad, but it needed to be done, especially in my bedroom.

Listened to Rodgers & Hammerstein's State Fair while I worked. This stage adaptation of the 1946 movie musical more-or-less kept the original story intact (though it made the singer a dancer). It also added a truckload of Rodgers & Hammerstein songs either cut from their shows or taken from their lesser-known shows, including a lovely "So Far" from Allegro, "The Next Time It Happens" from Pipe Dream, and two cute songs cut from Oklahoma, "When I Go Out Walking With My Baby" and "Boys and Girls Like You and Me" for the Frake parents.

Headed out as soon as the CD ended. I was at Dad and Jodie's just in time for the first Eagles kickoff of the year. The Eagles were already losing to division rivals the Washington Redskins when I arrived, 10 to nothing. They did manage to get a touchdown during the second quarter, but they really roared to life in the second half. Suddenly, they were holding off the Redskins left and right, and Wentz was throwing bombs and DeSean Jackson was buzzing all over the field. The Eagles just barely won in a wonderful game, 32-27.

The crowd at home was fun, too. I brought glitter crayons I found on the clearance rack at work and a coloring page featuring Swoop, the Eagles' mascot. I colored with Finley and watched Paw Patrol episodes while Khai played games on Jodie's iPad. Later, Khai, Finley, and I played with the Little Tykes and Little People tracks, figures, cars, and mountain. Jodie had tacos and refried beans for lunch, with vanilla ice cream sundaes and Acme chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Along with Rose and her family, my cousin Mark and his girlfriend Joya watched with Dad and Jodie. I had a nice conversation with Jessa; we're hoping to get together after I go on vacation.

Went on the computer and into writing as soon as I got home. The ladies and Charles finds themselves back in the dark hall. After he's calm enough and has smoked his pipe, Charles explains why the crowds of ghosts scared him. He'd been in a terrible fire in a circus as a young teen and while he escaped, he'd hated crowds and audiences ever since. (All true, by the way.) He'd tried to help save Richard, who had been more heavily beaten by Ira's goons, but the crowds of goons sent him reeling. Ira called him a coward before he was knocked out. Joyce and Brett reassure that he did what he could to help his friend.

Ira reappears at this point. He gives the group the next clue, this time to find host Gene Rayburn. He vanishes before anyone can throw fists, purses, or pipes at him.

Broke for a very quick dinner at quarter of 7. I'd had a big lunch and opted for coffee yogurt with peanut butter, cocoa, and brown sugar and a pear for dinner. Listened to one of my K-Tel disco albums, High Energy, to give me energy while I ate.

Finished the night with Lego Star Wars. I had trouble keeping the large group of characters together in "Battle of Endor" and just barely made it to "Into the Death Star." I'll keep trying until I go on vacation.

Welcome to the Holiday Weekend

I was so glad that the weather remained stunning. I had a lot to do today, starting with breakfast and a couple of Tom & Jerry cartoons. "Texas Tom" uses a western record wound by Jerry to serenade a pretty cowgirl kitty. Jerry rebels and embarrasses Tom. Jerry helps a lion who escaped the circus in "Jerry and the Lion." Tom's conducting a concert in "Tom & Jerry at the Hollywood Bowl," but an annoyed Jerry comes in and wrecks havoc. Jerry rescues a pet fish from becoming Tom's next meal in "Jerry and the Goldfish."

Headed out as soon as the last-named cartoon ended. I had a lot of errands to run, starting at the Collingswood Farm Market. It was quarter after 11 by that point, and they were starting to wind down. In fact, the orchard booth tossed in three extra small Gala apples just to get rid of them. I dodged people buying produce for their Labor Day barbecues and back-to-school lunches long enough to pick up nectarines, two small eggplants, and lettuce along with the apples.

Made my way across Collingswood and Cuthbert Road to the Haddon Township Library next. I didn't stick around, but I did want to return my DVDs. Dug around in the book sales again and found Melody's first American Girl book and the thriller Sorry, Wrong Number on DVD. Didn't take any movies out - I've been having too much fun with Match Game, plus I still have a few movies I haven't watched.

I was going to stop at the Oaklyn Library next, but they were closed. Turns out they're off for Saturday and Monday. Rats. I'll try them again later next week.

Went home and put everything away and rested a bit before heading back out. There was one more thing I wanted to do today. I had to deliver the snickerdoodles to work. A sweet older lady who works in the deli is retiring, and we had a huge party for her, with her family and lots of pink roses and balloons. There was plenty to eat, mac and cheese and ziti and roast beef for sandwiches, two types of deviled eggs, a vegetable tray, pasta salad and potato salad and meatballs. Desserts included a massive yellow cake with whipped icing, molasses cake, cheesecake, jam butter cookies, white chocolate-dried cranberry cookies, and lots of candy. I enjoyed a roast beef sandwich, slightly dry ziti, two deviled eggs (one with spices, the other with celery and a pimento), pasta salad, a huge slice of cake, and the white-chocolate dried cranberry cookies.

I wasn't feeling well when I got home. My throat had been sore, and I was dead tired. Ignoring the noise Charles and Richard made while working on the new brick walkway out front, I jumped in the bed as soon as I could and had a nice sleep for two hours.

When I got up, I tried to focus on writing. Maz gives Harris food for the road. He hugs her and apologizes for the mess. She says she and her remaining people will cover their escape.

Had leftovers for dinner while watching an episode of The Muppet Show in honor of Valerie Harper, who passed away after a long bout with cancer yesterday. Valerie turns up in the late first season to perform two 70's Broadway favorites, "Broadway Baby" from Follies and "Nobody Does It Like Me" from Seesaw. Statler, one of the balcony hecklers, has a crush on her and is determined to see her, but the plant he brings with him climbs all over the place until it nearly takes over the backstage.

Played Lego Star Wars after dinner. I got so close on the Return of the Jedi Super Story! I actually got past "Battle of Endor" and all the way up to the beginning of "Into the Death Star" this time. I'll make another try tomorrow or Monday.

I still wasn't feeling well by the time I finished the game, so I took my temperature. Ugh. It was 99.5. I took ibuprofen, put a cold cloth on my head, drank lots of water, and watched the 1997 version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella for my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997)

Finished the night with a ton of Match Game, mostly focusing on 1974 and 1976...but I couldn't resist the Star Wars references in one episode from 1978. Hope you're all having as much fun with them as I am!

Match Game '74 (Gene discovers that his microphone telescopes - that is, moves up and down.)
Match Game '74 (Richard somehow manages to dig up a photo of a young and handsome Gene Rayburn knitting.)
Match Game '74 (With a contestant and a panelist being from South America, there's quite a few south-of-the-border jokes.)
Match Game '75 (Fannie Flagg has quite a crush on a handsome contestant.)
Match Game '75 (Major ham Jack Cassidy joins in as that good-looking contestant finally loses.)
Match Game '76 (The contestant is very pregnant...and it's making everyone very nervous.)
Match Game '76 (Richard does his best impersonation of Charles, to the annoyance of the latter.)
Match Game '78 (Lots of Star Wars references when the machine that holds the questions makes strange noises, including a bit of the main Star Wars theme!)

Party With an Irish Flair

I didn't sleep well last night and consequently got up late this morning. Just had the time for breakfast and an episode of Man from Atlantis before running off to work. Mark becomes "The Naked Montague" when he's hit on the head during an underwater cave-in and somehow ends up in Verona, Italy in the middle of a squabble between the Capulets and the Montagues. He learns that Juliet and Romeo want to marry and unite their houses...but will he be able to change one of Shakespeare's most famous plays and let them go through with it? (And what the heck does this have to do with the rest of the show?)

Headed out a little bit early. I wanted to set up my key-lime mini donuts for the St. Patrick's Day employee luncheon we had today. While there wasn't as much left by the time I got back there, I was able to have kielbasa and a smoky sauerkraut, spinach dip, and corned beef and cabbage stew for lunch; saw a chowder there as well. Other desserts included vanilla cupcakes, chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting, pineapple upside-down cake, banana cake, pound cake, and brownie cups with crispy Italian cookies from the bakery.

Wish work was as much fun. It was nice when I was out doing carts...but we were really crazy for a lot of the day. They kept calling me inside and tossing me behind a register, even after it slowed down around 4. I finally spent the last hour dusting around the black metal shelves on either end of the aisles that display sale items.

And it was a nice day, when you could get out of the wild wind. While not nearly as warm as yesterday, it was far sunnier, and that sun was still quite warm. I'm surprised we were as busy as we were. I guess a lot of people want to celebrate the closest thing we've had to a major holiday in over a month, plus we have a lot of good sales this weekend.

Went right back to Man from Atlantis when I got home as I made a banana smoothie for a quick dinner. "C.W Hyde" is the show's second adaptation of classic literature in a row. This one, however, fits the show a bit better. C.W, Mark and Elizabeth's perpetually nervous boss, accidentally drinks a potion that turns him into an amoral (and hairy) monster...right when he's supposed to be remembering the combination for an explosive device. His other side sells off the combination to gangsters, who aren't overly happy about being double-crossed.

Tried to do a little bit of writing after I finished my smoothie. I was so tired, I didn't get far. Luke Weston lives in Tatoonie, a sleepy suburb of Coruscant. He's a college student who works in his uncle's hardware store, but what he really loves is comics book and building things.

Broke to take a shower at 8:30. Finished the night with Finian's Rainbow in honor of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow. I go into more detail about this odd Fred Astaire/Petula Clark fantasy on my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

Finian's Rainbow