Christmas tidbits 12/25/11

• Been too sick to blog, saving what little energy I've had for volunteering.  Wasn't scheduled to work today, but I'm headed back shortly for Day 4 of the Red Cross feeding the multitudes.  Want to see all the onion chopping, cranberry dipping, gravy stirring, dressing making, mashed potato scooping, hefting and cleaning and truck loading and unloading I've done come to fruition.  Hope I make it.  I'm feeling pretty puny again.
• It helped to see a gorgeous sunrise today.  Sunbella shined her blush onto the sponge-painted clouds all the way to the west horizon, then rose slow, hot orange, diva glorious.  Back to clouds and a chilly breeze now.  Still a few folks out taking a Christmas day beachwalk.  Good for them.
• Just a few funny things to share from the past few days:
• A family of 12, all with black hair and dark skin, were leaving the beach and resembled a Christmas shepherd gang flocking to see the Christ child.  Only their robes and towels were draped over swimsuits, they were carrying floaty tubes and boogie boards instead of gold, frankincense and myrhh, and Grandma was wearing a swim muumuu.
• Made a quick dash to Wal-Mart on Friday to get more meds for my cold.  Thought I'd hit the jackpot when I found everything I needed and got in a 20-item or less line with only two people ahead of me.  Then I spent 25 minutes sneezing and hacking while a lady with a cartful of bags and a $197 plus change bill (you think she had more than 20 items??) in the front of the line tried her American Express card three times and couldn't complete the transaction because she didn't know her zip code.  Then her debit card was also declined.  I was ready to collapse -- not smart taking cold meds on an empty stomach -- or tackle the woman and drag her out of the store, when her husband appeared, entered the magic zip code, and they were gone.  I crashed back in bed as soon as I made it home.
• When I finally awoke from the above nap, I drug myself to the hot tub to steam my chills and open my head.  Unfortunately, a woman and her young'un in a floaty tube were in the pool nearby, close enough that I could hear her say "no, Maybeline, don't splash Mama," at least 27 times.  The girl kept on splashing and jibberjabbering and giggling, no matter how many times or how loudly Mama said not to.  Mama even threw in a "stop" now and then.  Made no dayum difference.  I couldn't help but think -- if Maybeline had been a dog, I would have been able to enjoy the hot tub instead of flee to my room.  A dog would have either a) not gotten in the pool at all because it's not their cup of tea, or b) been dogpaddling along and amusing themselves, not splashing around.  Maybe I should check out Ocean Park resort next door.  The marquee says "dog friendly" and I see lots of pets going in.  Now if it is only kid-free!