A Long Way To Go

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.

It is that we should have a new soul.”
- G.K. Chesterton -

My insatiable thirst for humour, knowledge and fascinating stories has me traveling around the internet from one place to another quite often. I gather information the way a squirrel gathers nuts; pouncing from one location to another, sniffing around, hoping to dig up something interesting. Then I store it for future reference, and at times for sharing with you.

Some of my online time is spent visiting my favourite blogs, which is always the most enjoyable part of my journey. Many of those blogs belong to individuals that I’ve become quite fond of over time; individuals that I consider friends. Cyber friends, if you may, but still, friends. And who knows... Perhaps I’ll get lucky some day and meet some more of you in person, the way I did with Jane this past summer.

But not all my web adventures are pleasant. Just like I land on sites that offer stories, videos and images that make me smile or laugh out loud, I also land on sites with stories or posts that upset me, frustrate me, anger me, and at times, put me in tears. I suppose I could avoid these depressing places altogether and go about enjoying a carefree journey, but pretending bad things don’t exist in this world doesn’t mean they don’t. So I stay. And read. And learn. And sigh. And realize once again how far humanity has to go before peace, tolerance, equality, understanding, empathy, respect, generosity, kindness and compassion are not just words that we simply pay lip service to. Year after year. Decade after decade. And century after century.

My faith in humanity is shattered repeatedly, but before it reaches rock bottom, acts of kindness surface to the top that convince me that there is hope in our species. That somehow decency, compassion and generosity will prevail. If we want it to. If we are persistent. If we strive to make it happen. Slowly, perhaps, but surely.

Tomorrow, the world begins again. Tomorrow, we are given a clean slate. Tomorrow is a new opportunity to make it the best year yet. For all. Let’s not just hope or dream of a better world. Let’s make it one. Together. Side by side. Hand in hand. I know we can do it. I believe we can. Yes, we have a long way to go, but every step in the right direction will lead us to that better place.

For everyone around the world, I hope and pray for the end of all our world’s troubles - war, famine, violence, poverty, slavery, drought, prejudice, terrorism, crime, oppression, disease, pollution, illiteracy, religious strife – and anything else that needs healing.

And to all of you, my friends, I wish peace, love, joy, prosperity, and most of all, good health. May 2013 bring these blessings into your lives, and into the lives of those you love.

Happy New Year!

A Single Photograph

"I like animals because they are not consciously cruel and don't betray each other."
- Taylor Caldwell -

One of my favourite backyard visitors. I can't wait until his/her return in the spring.

Tune Time – Auld Lang Syne

Let’s end this year's 'Tune Time' posts with this lovely version of 'Auld Lang Syne'...

Saturday Silliness

The last silliness of this year is all about the New Year coming up...

Sunny Side Up

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850 -

This week’s end of the week smile ends 2012’s sunny side up posts with the 'Zeitgeist 2012: Year In Review' video. And what a year it's been...



Happy last weekend of 2012!

Book It - The Memory Keeper's Daughter

This week’s featured book:

The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Author: Kim Edwards

Overview:

On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's Syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret.

But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that long-ago winter night.

A brilliantly crafted, stunning debut, The Memory Keeper's Daughter explores the way life takes unexpected turns, and how the mysterious ties that hold a family together help us survive the heartache that occurs when long-buried secrets burst into the open.

My Comments:

I had to end this year’s ‘Book It’ posts with one of the most remarkable novels I’ve ever come across. Where does one begin with this book? The writing? Fabulous. The characters? Intense. The story? Heartbreaking. Engaging. Emotional. Beautiful. You’ll feel the pain and grief of all the characters, and you will wish you could get right in there with them, right in the pages, and help them. You’ll want to do something. To ease their pain. Heal their wounds. Reveal the secrets that are destroying them. Instead, you will just have to flip from page to page and chapter to chapter eager to find out what happens next. And see if there’s a happy ending to this story. Read this book. It’s a great story.

The Highlight Of The Holidays

Our plan this year was to spend a couple of days in our old city of Montreal visiting family and friends on Christmas day and Boxing Day. We didn’t officially commit to taking this trip until a couple of days prior to our leaving because it was all dependant on the weather. Such is the way in Canada. You just never know when a snowstorm will kick in and hinder your plans. Well, lucky for us, the weather did hold up and we were able to go. And even luckier for us that we returned last night way before the first major snowstorm headed our way began. I tell you, one of the most frightening things is driving in a snowstorm at night. Thankfully, we didn’t have to, and we’re back home safe and sound. Amen to that.

Moving along...

Our trip was wonderful, and I came home in high spirits. When we moved to Kingston in 2009, we left behind all our family members and oldest friends that we would typically share holidays with. As a result, unless we drive over to see them, we don’t have anyone to spend Christmas day with. And spending Christmas alone – a day that is all about sharing all the joys of the holiday with the special people in your life – is not much fun. So we go if we can to be with the ones that mean most to us.

This trip was the highlight of the week. Of course, my camera went along for the ride...thank you for asking. And, yes, I took oodles of photos, some of which I will be sharing with you one day next week. I would have liked to post them earlier, but we just got back last night and I haven’t had time to go through them all.

But I will share the image below with you and the story behind it. You see, every special occasion (Christmas, Valentine’s day, anniversary, birthday...) since we met, my husband and I give each other a card. But not just any card. It has to be ‘the card’. The card that overwhelms. The card that makes the heart skip a beat or two.  You get bonus points if the card makes the eyes fill up with tears, and you hit the jackpot if a tear or two roll down a cheek.

So here’s my husband with ‘the card’ that I chose for him. He was overwhelmed, and I think the eyes may have welled up a little. But definitely no tears spilling over. Oh well, maybe on Valentine’s...

As for the snowstorm that hit our city overnight, let’s just say that it’s beginning to really look like winter out there. And the snow hasn’t stopped yet. This would be a good time to be lying on a beach on a tropical island. Sigh...

Twas The Day After Christmas

Can you believe Christmas day has come and gone? Sigh...

Well, I trust you all had a lovely celebration with loved ones, and enjoyed good food and treats like this...

and this...

Personally, I’m not a huge fan of candy canes, and I don’t have that much of a sweet tooth even for chocolate, but a sugary treat now and then works for me. And Hershey's kisses are a favourite.

Today is Boxing Day in Canada. It’s primarily known as a shopping holiday; similar to Black Friday in the United States. Shops offer dramatic price reduction sales on some items, and people flock to these places, sometimes lining up outside the stores for quite a few hours before they open. And if you live in the big city, boxing day at the malls is total madness.

I don’t do boxing day. The crowds, the noise, the pushing and shoving (how quickly we move beyond the ‘good will to all’ mode), and the utter lunacy of it all is something I steer clear of, not flock towards. But if it does something for you, and you enjoy the mobs of people, hey, more power to you. As for me, I’m just going to kick back and relax today.

But no matter how you plan to spend the day, here are some cartoons to tickle your funny bone.

Of course, boxing day to a cat has a whole different meaning...

Have a lovely day, everyone!

Holiday Greetings!

Merry Christmas, to all! I hope you are enjoying the day with your loved ones, and counting your blessings. Peace, love, joy and good health to all of you on this blessed day from my home to yours!

Here's a cute video of one of the most familiar tunes of the season. Sing along!

Santa Claus Is Coming...Unless He Gets Stuck In A Chimney

Santa is getting ready for his travels tonight. Have you all been good girls and boys? Well, if you have, be expecting him when he arrives in your neighbourhood. Unless he gets stuck in some chimney...

Here’s a silly video to tickle your funny bone as you prepare for the celebrations.



Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone!

A Single Photograph

"Next to a circus there ain't nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit."

- Kin Hubbard -

Don't let that quote be true. Keep the spirit going year round!

Tune Time - Christmas Shoes

A beautiful song from the band New Song. I’ve included the lyrics below. Make sure you have some Kleenex on hand.

(Incidentally, there’s a movie called Christmas Shoes that you might want to watch. Terrific film to enjoy with the whole family.)

It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Trying to buy that last gift or two
I'm really in the Christmas mood
Standing right in front of me
Was a little boy waiting anxiously
Pacing around like little boys do
And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes

And his clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn't believe what I heard him say

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Momma meets Jesus, tonight.

They counted pennies for what seem like years
And cashier says son there's not enough here
He searches is pockets franticly
And he turned and he looked at me
And he said Momma made Christmas good at our house
Most years she just did without
Tell me Sir
What am I gonna do?
Some how I've got to buy her these Christmas shoes

So I layed the money down
I just had to help him out
And I'll never forget
The look on his face
When he said Mamma's gonna look so great.

Sir I wanna buy these shoes, for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see, she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful,
If Momma meets Jesus tonight.

I knew I caught a glimpse of heavens love as he thanked me and ran out.
I know that God had sent that little boy to remind me
What Christmas is all about

Sir I wanna buy these shoes for my Momma please
It's Christmas Eve and these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry Sir?
Daddy says there's not much time
You see she's been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes will make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If Mamma meets Jesus tonight

I want her to look beautiful
If Mamma meets Jesus tonight

Saturday Silliness

‘Tis still the season...

Signs You've Had Too Much Holiday Cheer

1. You strike a match and light your nose.

2. You take off your shoes and wade in the potato salad.

3. You hear a duck quacking and it's you.

4. You tell your best joke to the rubber plant.

5. You refill your glass from the fish bowl.

6. You take out your handkerchief and blow your ear.

7. You start kissing the portraits on the wall.

8. You complain about the small bathroom after emerging from the closet.

9. You ask for another ice cube and put it in your pocket.

10. You tell everyone you have to go home... and the party's at your place.

11. You have to hold on to the floor to keep from sliding off.

12. You pick up a roll, and butter your watch.

13. You yawn at the biggest bore in the room... and realize you're in front of the hall mirror.

Sunny Side Up – Home For The Holidays Singing Pets

"Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - -a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved."

- Augusta E. Rundel -

This week’s sunny side up is the adorable ‘Iams Home 4 the Holidays Singing Pets’ video.



Don’t you just love it? Animals bring so much joy into our lives! Now, excuse me while I go hug my two cats that we adopted from our local humane society...

Have a lovely weekend, everyone.

Book It - Finding Noel

This week’s featured book:

Finding Noel
Author: Richard Paul Evans

Overview:

"There are stories, Christmas stories that are stored away like boxes of garlands and frosted glass ornaments, to be brought out and cherished each year. I've come to believe that my story is a Christmas story. For it has forever changed the way I see Christmas.”

The Christmas season is supposed to be full of joy, but not for Mark Smart. Life had dealt him one blow after another until one snowy November night, when he finds a beautiful young woman who will change his life forever. Macy Wood has little memory of her birth parents, and memories she'd rather forget of her adopted home. A Christmas ornament inscribed with the word "Noel" is the only clue to the little sister she only vaguely remembers, a clue that will send her and Mark on a journey to reclaim her past, and her family.

My Comments:

I admit that when the holidays approach, I’m a sucker for Christmas stories, so when December arrives, I’m on the lookout for something festive to read. Like this one. Another feel good story from Richard Paul Evans that you can curl up with as you sip that eggnog and sniff those holiday scented candles. Better yet, why not take the candles, the eggnog and some holiday snacks into the bathroom where you can soak in a nice, warm bath? Yeah, I thought you’d like that. Just make sure you lock the door to keep the riffraff out: partner, kids, pets...

Please Remember The Less Fortunate

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
- Leo Buscaglia -

I wasn’t fortunate enough to spend much time with my maternal grandparents because they lived thousands of miles away, but from what I’ve been told about them by people that knew them well, they were empathetic, highly regarded and cherished members of their community. Despite the fact that they were a poor family, their door was always open to the less fortunate, and whatever way they could help, they did. Thus, my mother grew up in a very loving home with parents that taught their children kindness and compassion by practicing these admirable qualities, not just by preaching about them. I wish I’d had more time with them.

Nonetheless, their spirit lived in my mother who carried over into our home all the wonderful, kindhearted actions that she grew up witnessing. And she practiced them time and again so that we may learn from her. From as far back as I can remember, my mother extended a helping hand to the needy, the sick, the distressed. We lived in a poor neighbourhood and it wasn’t unusual to have someone knock on our door from time to time begging for help. Any type of help. A few coins. A couple of fruits. An old sweater. Anything. Please...

And even though we were a poor family, too, my mother felt that we were exceptionally blessed because, at the very least, we had a roof over our heads, enough to eat and warm clothing for the harsh Canadian winters. So she was more than happy to help as a way to show gratitude for her own good fortune. Helping the ‘less fortunate’ gave her such joy. It still does.

I remember one really cold winter day...I must have been about six or seven at the time...when a woman showed up at our door in tears with two young children in tow, pleading for help. My mother’s eyes were filled with sympathy and sadness, and for a moment or two she hesitated, trying to figure out how she can help. We didn’t have money to spare, so that was out of the question. But she desperately wanted to do something. But what? And then she knew! She told the woman to wait just a moment, and she ran into our room and started going through our things. Pants, shirts, sweaters, coats, hats, scarves, gloves...whatever clothing of ours she could spare for the children...into a bag it all went. She then rushed into her bedroom and threw in a few of her own things for the mother, and finished off in the kitchen with some non-perishable foods. She offered the clothing and food to the woman, and although very few words were exchanged, the kindness in my mother’s eyes and the heartfelt gratitude in the woman’s spoke volumes.  I stood mesmerized as I watched this whole interaction, and 40 years later, I still see it clearly in my mind as if it happened yesterday. It is one of the most memorable moments of my childhood, and one of the most beautiful memories I have of my mother.

Another time, a man showed up at our door desperate for help. He was unshaven, sickly, dressed in rags and underweight. He couldn’t hear or speak and attempted to communicate with my mother in sign language. Again, my mother’s immediate reaction was to help. And again, we didn’t have money, so it would have to be in another way. This time it didn’t take long to figure out how. She had been preparing supper for the family, and since she always made extra food (just in case someone dropped by), she brought this starving man inside, sat him down and fed him. Soup. Chicken. Bread. Whatever she was preparing for us, she served him.

My brother and I sat and watched all this with big round eyes. We’d never seen anything quite like it, and till this day I still haven’t seen anything like that: someone eat so quickly, and with so much desperation. The desperation of the hungry. When he was finally full, he got up to leave, and as he headed toward the door, he gestured thank you in sign language to my mother over and over and over again with tears in his eyes, and a look of tremendous appreciation. My mother’s eyes also filled with tears and she kept saying “you’re welcome” and “it’s okay”. And then he was gone.

These are just two examples of my mother’s kindness toward others. There are so many more. And I thank my mom for these precious, beautiful moments because they are a fundamental part of me. They have shaped me, made me more aware of the world around me, the less fortunate, the hungry, the isolated. And when Christmas rolls around, these memories surface, reminding me once again to think of others who are not as fortunate as I am, compelling me to help in any way I can. Because this holiday is not a happy time for everyone. For many people it’s a very difficult, lonely and distressing time.

So please, let us all consider helping those who needs us. By contributing food, clothing, money, toys...or just time. Every little bit helps...

Christmas Shopping Prank

No, it’s not me performing the prank, although sometimes I wish I had the courage to do wild and crazy things like the mother and son team below. Imagine the stories you’d have to tell.

Anyway, below is a hilarious video to brighten up your day. Enjoy!



Har har har har har…a cattle prod for kids!

And just what the heck is a Dingle-Dongle!?

Today's Trivia - Jingle All The Way

“Jingle Bells" is one of the most familiar and most frequently sung tunes in the world during the holidays. Dating awhile back, it was written by James Lord Pierpont (1822–1893) and published under the title "One Horse Open Sleigh" in the autumn of 1857. Despite the fact that it’s considered a Christmas song, it was actually written and sung for a Thanksgiving program at a church in Savannah, Georgia where Pierpont was organist. It was so well accepted that it was sung again on Christmas day, and since then it has became one of the most popular Christmas carols.

On December 16, 1965, this popular little tune was also the first song broadcast from space when astronauts Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford played a prank on Mission control. They reported: "We have an object, looks like a satellite going from north to south, probably in polar orbit... I see a command module and eight smaller modules in front. The pilot of the command module is wearing a red suit...." They then proceeded to play “Jingle Bells” on a smuggled harmonica backed by sleigh bells.

Do you know all the words in this song? Maybe not. A couple of the verses are usually skipped. Here are the complete lyrics:

JINGLE BELLS

Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh,
Over the fields we go, laughing all the way.
Bells on bob-tails ring, making spirits bright,
What fun it is to ride and sing a sleighing song tonight.

Chorus
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
O what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago, I thought I'd take a ride
And soon Miss Fanny Bright, was seated by my side;
The horse was lean and lank, misfortune seemed his lot;
He got into a drifted bank and we got upsot

(Chorus)

A day or two ago, the story I must tell
I went out on the snow, and on my back I fell;
A gent was riding by, in a one-horse open sleigh
He laughed as there I sprawling lie but quickly drove away

(Chorus)

Now the ground is white, go it while you're young
Take the girls tonight, and sing this sleighing song;
Just get a bob-tailed bay, two-forty as his speed
Hitch him to an open sleigh and crack! you'll take the lead

(Chorus)

Let's end this post with a little Frank Sinatra:

Hostile Communication Is Why We Get Nowhere

“To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.”
- Tony Robbins -

Most of you, if not all, have heard by now about the heart-wrenching school shooting that occurred a few days ago in Newtown, Connecticut where 26 lives were lost, most of them belonging to young children around six or seven years of age. The horrific slaughtering of all these innocents has not only shaken my neighbours to the south, but the entire world.

As always, whenever tragic incidences of such an immeasurable magnitude occur, people are shocked, devastated, outraged. They feel the need to act or to say something. They offer condolences, an opinion, assistance, support. They search for answers, they point fingers, make accusations, seek out a scapegoat, offer solutions. They want to know why this happened. What motivated the killer. What shaped him, influenced him, drove him. They want to blame his heinous actions on something. Someone. They want a person or a cause held responsible. They want to rationalize what, in fact, quite often cannot be rationalized.

And as always, the debate about gun laws in America, and gun ownership in general anywhere around the world, is reignited. There are those for and against gun ownership. There are those for and against stricter laws. There are those for and against the outright banning of all firearms. And as far as I’m concerned, no matter which side of the fence you sit on, and even if you’re sitting on the fence because you’re undecided, your voice should be heard, your opinion should be respected, and you should have the right to express your thoughts without being chastised. Because I truly believe that when we express ourselves honestly, listen to each others’ differing opinions respectfully, see things from another’s perspective, make a real effort to understand another point of view, then – and only then – can we understand one another. Then - and only then - can we truly work toward satisfying solutions together. And then – and only then – will we truly begin to create a better society. Together.

Verbal abuse, mudslinging and belittling do more damage than good. When someone is aggressive and insulting, our initial response is to become defensive. And reiterate the insults. Which makes the other party more aggressive. And this goes back and forth until a full-blown battle ensues where name calling is what the discussion ends up being about, and nothing gets accomplished.

I witnessed such a battle on Facebook recently between two old school mates. We all attended the same high school, and one of the men I know as far back as elementary school. Anyway, one is passionately pro guns and has a collection of firearms; the other is passionately anti guns and believes they should be outlawed completely. After the school shooting, the anti gun man posted that he had wanted to leave a comment on the NRA’s Facebook page but was unable to (I’m guessing that they were expecting a flood of hostile comments and disabled the feature). Not long after that post was made, the pro gun man added a comment, demanding to know why he wanted to contact the NRA, that there was no reason to contact them.

Without getting into too many details, let’s just say that this exchange that could have made for a healthy and enlightening debate and discussion about a topic that needs to be debated and discussed turned into a raunchy, mudslinging, name-calling fiasco. All decency was thrown out the window and replaced by savagery. Insults went from you-f’ing-this and you-f’ing-that to words like stupid, idiot, dumbass, lunatic, moron, and a few others in between. And one man went as far as accusing the other of being a pedophile (!). This from two grown men.

And what did this irate exchange accomplish? Just more animosity. And a deeper divide.

I won’t pretend to have the answers for all of this world’s problems, including the latest tragedy down south. And I’m not entirely sure what it is exactly that we need to do for the statements of “Peace on Earth” and “Peace and Goodwill To All” to go from hollow statements that we parrot every year to having true meaning, but I’m willing to bet that to make this happen, to succeed in working toward a common goal, to eventually make this a better place, we must be willing to sit side by side with people of a differing background, culture, heritage, religion, political affiliation, race, opinion, language, social origin, perspective, sex, status, and so on, and listen to them. Respectfully. Calmly. And with an open mind. So that we can evolve.

 

Hostile communication with a torrent of mudslinging is counterproductive. And one of the main reasons we get nowhere.

 

Put aside the anger and the insults, and listen to each other.

A Single Photograph

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings
where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy."

- Eskimo Legend -

This is a sad time for all of humanity. May all the innocent souls that perished in Newtown, Connecticut rest in peace. And may the love and support of those around them help their families get through the difficult days ahead.

Tune Time - Where are you Christmas?

A beautiful Christmas song from Faith Hill that will touch your very soul. What a voice on this woman...

Saturday Silliness

Time for some more festive humor. ‘Tis the season, after all...

Holiday Office Memo

To: All Employees
From: Management
Subject: Office conduct during the Christmas season

Effective immediately, employees should keep in mind the following guidelines in compliance with FROLIC (the Federal Revelry Office and Leisure Industry Council).

1. Running aluminum foil through the paper shredder to make tinsel is discouraged.

2. Playing Jingle Bells on the push-button phone is forbidden (it runs up an incredible long distance bill)

3. Work requests are not to be filed under "Bah humbug."

4. Company cars are not to be used to go over the river and through the woods to Grandma's house.

5. All fruitcake is to be eaten BEFORE July 25.

6. Egg nog will NOT be dispensed in vending machines.

In spite of all this, the staff is encouraged to have a Happy Holiday.

Things People Say When They Really Don't Like A Gift

- Hey! Now, there's a gift...

- Well, well, well ...

- Boy, if I hadn't recently shot up 4 sizes this would've fit.

- This is perfect for wearing around the basement.

- Gosh. I hope this never catches fire! It is fire season though. There are lots of unexplained fires.

- If the dog buries it, I'll be furious!

- I love it -- but I fear the jealousy it will inspire.

- To think -- I got this the year I vowed to give all my gifts to charity.

- You shouldn't have! I mean it, you really shouldn't have!

- No, really, I didn't know that there was a Chia Pet tie! Oh, wow! It's a clip-on too!

- You know what? — I'm going to find a special place to put this!

- Boy, you don't see craftsmanship like this every day!

- And it's such an interesting color too!

- You say that was the last one? Am I glad that you snapped that baby up!