Looking Back and Moving Forward

Just took a trip down memory lane. Revisiting posts that were made over a year ago. It is interesting how things change, but yet how much they remain the same. I still want to retire, but can't for awhile. The house is still old, but with new siding and windows not as drafty. I am still a Grandma, but now I have two wonderful grandchildren. I still say "Bah Humbug" to this whole season and look forward to January 2, 2010 so things can get back to normal.

Still have the same two dogs from December 2007 and 8 of the 9 cats. I still miss Skyler and Smokey as those cats were a part of my life for so long. The remaining 8 seem healthy and happy. I am still not making any New Year resolutions nor have I gotten back in control to take off the 20 pounds that I have gained over the last several years. Not near where I was at one time, but certainly not where I want to be.

We saved a neighborhood grade school, but lost a high school. The flowers were beautiful this past spring and summer and I hope the black hollyhocks come up next year. We had a National election and the earth still turns on its axis. The economy has gone south over the last two years, but the most recent unemployment numbers are a little better. I am still pretty much a hermit, but really enjoy the forum and blogger friendships that have deepened over the last two years.

I am still looking for the perfect Sunday breakfast. Next stop, Oscar's on Farmington Road!

Still Searching....

I took Emerge's suggestion and tried the Silver Dollar this morning. Food was really good and quite reasonable. If I go again I will take my food and move to a table. I guess I am too short to comfortably eat at the bar. I chose the bar since all the tables were empty. It does seem odd to see a fellow diner wash down his biscuits and gravy with beer at 9:30 in the morning. But, hey....who am I to say! If one like the "neighborhood bar" atmosphere, the Silver Dollar serves a darn good breakfast.

In Search of.......

Anyone who knows me well, knows I do not like to cook. I really do not like to cook! Lunch and dinner, I can take care of but, breakfast.....that is another matter. I am in search of the perfect place for breakfast. Good food, good selection, reasonable price and a pleasant atmosphere. Is that too much to ask? I have no problem with "greasy spoon" type places and will "dress up" a little if I have to.

I know there are numerous places left to try, but here is the list as it stands today:

• Bartonville Diner - so far #1 in my book. Stuffed French Toast to die for
• The Lighthouse in Rome - small, but good buffet. They will be closed for awhile in January. Reasonable price, even though they had raised it $1.00 the last time I was there.
• LePeep - Good, but kind of middle of the road
• Home Town Buffet - lowered their price and took the good stuff off the buffet
• Butcher Block - small, but good buffet. Nice atmosphere. Service was questionable
• Zim's - the fact that it is closed says it all
• Childer's (old Ranchero Fiesta building) - based on Childer's on University, it was a real disappointment for the price
• The Mayflower - standard fare, nothing to go back for
• Denney's - standard fare, lousy coffee but it is pretty inexpensive
• Mushrush - buffet was pretty good, but they stopped having it
• Lee's (old Steak & Shake on N. Adams) - solid home cooking and reasonable
• Hungry Moose (Farmington Road) - small, busy, good food, reasonable and the coffee was fairly good (I am somewhat of a coffee snob)
• Eamon Patrick's - fantastic, but closed. Eagerly awaiting the Fahey's opening the Sunday Buffet at the Cornerstone Building facility.
• Maid Rite - traditional fare, reasonable price. I like the atmosphere and gift shop.

Making a trip to One World and Sterling Family Restaurant are on my list to revisit since I have not been to either for a long time. Other recommendations?

Pet Peeve

Just sitting here doing not much of anything and realized I have not visited this blog for some time. I don't usually write unless there is something that really gets to me, either in a good or not so good way. This gets to me - GENERALIZATIONS! Generalizations about a group of people, generalizations about a system, generalizations about an organization, even generalizations about a family - as if everyone involved is the same. "They are (fill in the blank); therefore, they must (fill in the blank).

I work in an environment about which many assumptions are made. I live in an area about which many assumptions are made. Is there a grain of truth behind the assumption? Of course there is! But when that grain of truth is applied to everything and everyone in a certain group, without knowing the facts about the individuals it is the smoldering pot of prejudice. Not necessarily racial or ethnic, but just plain old prejudging without knowledge. It is like saying that everyone with the last name of Smith or Jones behaves and thinks the same way. They all (fill in the blank). Especially if your name is Smith or Jones, you know it is not true.

I learned a long time ago, that it does no good whatsoever to try to refute a prejudgment. All I can do is to try as hard as I can not to prejudge, not to make those assumptions and not to generalize and to tell the truth as I know it when the opportunity presents itself.

Peoria Animal Welfare Shelter

I stopped by PAWS today to get a copy of their Wish List. PAWS is located at 2600 NE Perry. Their phone is 494-8911. In addition to having their funding restored, here is their Wish List:
Toilet seat covers/fleece mats for cats to lay on
"Kuranda Dog Beds" check the Kuranda web site
Towels - they give lots of baths
Science Diet Kitten food - canned & dry
Science Diet Cat food - dry
Science Diet Puppy & Dog food - dry
Dog biscuits - not rawhide
Kong toys
Tearless puppy & kitten shampoo
Guinea pig/rabbit/hamster/gerbil/bird food - they get those animals too!
Wild bird seed
Plastic cat toys - Busy Balls
Copy paper - colors & white
Liquid laundry detergent - cheap generic is fine
Dishwashing liquid - again, cheap generic is fine
Paper towels
Aluminum cans - there is a recycle bin at PAWS
Ink jet & laser cartridges & cell phones for recycling
Empty coffee cans with lids

Of course, they accept cash donations (and give receipts). They also look for volunteers. Call 682-9015. I still need to talk to the shelter director concerning possible fund raisers the community could do.

OK, Peoria

I would ask everyone who reads this (the few that do) to take a look at the Rover or Smokey in your life. Think about how much pleasure the four legged critters in your life give to you. The unconditional love that you get when you walk into your home after having been gone for a bit is irreplaceable.

It concerns me greatly that part of the budget short-fall in the city budget includes a $250,000 cut to PAWS. Whether it is through massive donations of pet food, donation of items to recycle (aluminum, printer cartridges, etc.) the pet owners and animal lovers of Peoria need to step to the plate.

Peoria raises money for all sorts of causes. I remember when the police needed bullet proof vests and the city said the money was not there, citizens raised the money. We can do it again. I am not an organizer. It is pretty chilly for a fund-raising walk, but maybe the park district would have a time when an indoor walk could be done at the RiverPlex....there has to be something that can be done to keep the services of the animal shelter at the level they are now.

Let's all put on our thinking caps. The idea of more strays, fewer spay/neuters, abused or neglected animals, fewer adoptions and fewer services is not what a caring society tolerates.

Again, I ask that you take a look at the "Rover" or "Smokey" in your life. Six of my ten are in the living room with me right now. They are all PAWS adoptions. Only one of the ten is not. That one was a street rescue that didn't have a lay-over at PAWS.

Chi-Town

Chicago, here I come! I haven't been to the Windy City for several years, but this Sunday I am headed there. Not just for pleasure as I will spend the daytime in seminars on Monday through noon on Wednesday. It will still seem like a mini-vacation though. Can't wait to visit Bobak's again. Might even be able to convince my traveling companions to stop at IKEA in Bolingbrook. Hey, wait, I am driving!